Lancer boss qualified, excited for new role as OUA president
By Josh Kolm
Sports Editor
June 15, 2010
 Sometimes taking over as the chief of an organization can be an overwhelming situation to be in. Gord Grace, apparently, is one of those "thrives under pressure" types.
"It's a good time to be taking over," said Grace..
On May 17, it was announced that the current Athletic Director for the University of Windsor had been appointed to take over as President of Ontario University Athletics, replacing outgoing President Lorne Adams as his term comes to an end.
Grace has a long history with university sports. After playing football for the University of Waterloo, he began helping with the team once he had completed his degree. Following that, he coached at Wilfred Laurier and completed his Master's in sports management at the University of Michigan. His first head coaching job came at Mount Allison in New Brunswick.
Grace's goals, however, were to move both higher up and closer to home.
"I had been interested in Windsor because I'm from Chatham, and I wanted to become an Athletic Director. I did some fundraising to fill out my credentials, I guess you could say, and learn the business side of things. When I was at Mount Allison, I was the director of development."
Grace would get the job in 2002. Through key hires and improved standards, he has raised what were poor teams to the top of their divisions. The Lancers have obtained 19 OUA and 10 national titles since then.
Grace was appointed by the management committee of the OUA, of which he has been a member for many years, serving as treasurer and vice-president.
Grace has surely gained his credentials by now. He admits it will be "a challenge," but he is enthusiastic about where they he is now, saying the OUA is at a "great point".
Regarding his new duties, Grace said, "Part of it will be representing the OUA at championships and functions, but it's also about setting a plan for the future of the OUA."
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