VANCOUVER – Following virtually a decade at the helm of the UBC Thunderbirds Softball software, Head Mentor Gord Collings has declared his retirement.
Considering the fact that his choosing in the summer months of 2013, the previous Delta University District teacher and administrator productively navigated his staff via a lot more curveballs than any other UBC application, all the whilst escalating his staff and molding dozens of youthful gamers, all though advacing to four straight appearances at the Cascade Collegiate Conference match.
“It was just time,” stated Collings of his bittersweet final decision to retire. “Spouse and children is variety one particular and I’ll get to commit additional time with my wife and daughters and grandkids, acquiring the chance to help them out and watching the youngsters develop and all that will be massive. I will nevertheless be close to, I’ll supply assistance as a lot as I can from a length. I am going to assist with the transition with the new mentor and also in any way I can to support the system proceed to improve and be successful. And get pleasure from a minor little bit of holiday vacation time too.”




To say Collings was more than a coach is to understate his effect not only on his personal method, but the full UBC Athletics local community.
A UBC alumnus himself, graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science diploma and including a Masters of Education in 1985, Collings oversaw the re-instatement of the Softball software as a varsity crew, navigated via two dropped seasons and the rough waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, and led the changeover to a new, long lasting dwelling on campus this earlier calendar year.
Until finally the drop of 2021, the crew experienced competed at Softball City in South Surrey, a facility that in no way truly felt certainly like residence presented its hour-long commute from UBC by itself. But tireless initiatives from Collings and with the help from donors and alumni, the team discovered alone a new house in Wesbrook Village. Named right after the beloved mentor, Collings Discipline at Nobel Park will be a long lasting legacy for the male who saved the plan and introduced it to be the hugely competitive crew that it is these days.
“Obtaining the application reinstated and likely through all the troubles that have been concerned with getting us back as a varsity staff, I imagine that is what I am the proudest of,” stated Collings, reflecting on his 9 a long time with UBC. “We have been cut and now we are again and going strong with the area out there and the possibility with the gamers to perform on campus, I feel all those two are the major.”
Competing in their very first full CCC marketing campaign in a few yrs, 2022 saw the T-Birds complete the year with a 21-20 all round history, the to start with time ending previously mentioned .500 since joining the conference in 2016. The team won their final 5 convention video games to qualify for the Cascade event exactly where they turned heads in reducing the two-time defending NAIA Champion Southern Oregon Raiders.
“Just the way we re-formed and then in the playoffs…knocking off the defending champions in pretty great fashion, it was just incredibly satisfying that the players’ dedication and dedication confirmed. I am quite very pleased of what they did and how they represented our school, it really is a excellent sensation. When I communicate about mixed feelings, that is the favourable, understanding they did so properly.”
From the optimistic strides made for the duration of this past period to the new residence area bearing his have name, Collings leaves the method much better than at any time.
“I’m very encouraged about the upcoming and I’m optimistic about how productive the team’s likely to be. It truly is in a great place and I come to feel this is an opportune time to shift on wherever the gamers can compete and be very pleased of what they have accomplished. It can be a fantastic time.”
A research for the subsequent UBC Softball Head Mentor will be underway in the coming months.

