Ron Annear Appointed Director of Athletics

Ron Annear has worked at every level of the UPEI athletics program, from student-athlete to Acting Director. Now the UPEI Board of Governors has appointed him to the position of full-time Director of Athletics. The appointment takes effect immediately and will last until April 2009.

The announcement comes at the end of an exciting fall season for the soccer Panthers that saw UPEI carry off three of six major Atlantic University Sport (AUS) awards, as well as both male and female Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Player of the Year awards. The fall season also saw the opening of a $1.3 million artificial turf field on the campus and the construction of a new fitness centre.

Says soccer Panther Amy Connolly who received the coveted Chantal Navert Memorial Award from the CIS earlier this month: "Ron is a former athlete and a graduate of UPEI. He has played a major role in all the new facilities. I congratulate him and wish him continued success."

"Over the last 18 months Ron Annear has shown tremendous leadership," says Vianne Timmons, Vice President of Academic Development. "He has been doing an excellent job of repositioning our athletics programs. I look forward to continuing our working relationship over the next three and a half years."

Ray Murphy of Murphy's Pharmacies echoes that sentiment. He has worked with Annear in his role as a volunteer fundraiser for the UPEI Hockey Miracle program. "I've certainly had a very positive relationship with Ron over the years and I'm confident that things will be just as rewarding in the future. I look forward to working with him to continue to grow the program."

Annear is a native of Montague, PEI. His family is well known in the local sports community, particularly his father Ralph who is a successful horseman. Annear's sports career began in 1982 when he was drafted by the Verdun Junior Canadians (QMJHL). He spent a year on a full hockey scholarship at the US International University in San Diego before being drafted by the Montreal Canadians in 1984. Two years later he returned to his home province to become a full-time student-athlete at UPEI. During his time with the hockey Panthers the team won the AUAA championship two years in a row. He graduated in 1988 with Bachelor of Business Administration.

For over fifteen years Annear has worked in all areas of the Department of Athletics, Recreation, and Physical Education. Before taking on the role of Acting Athletics Director in March 2004, he was in charge of marketing and promotion. He sees his new position as "a tremendous opportunity" to build on his past experience.

"I look forward to continuing our work with the community to support programs to compete at the highest level possible, and to creating fitness and healthy-living programs for the campus and community," he says. "With the high level of support we have out there, and the first-class facilities we have developed, this is a fantastic time for UPEI athletics to move ahead."