GEORGETOWN, Ont. (April 30, 2021) - The Wilfrid Laurier University Department of Athletics and Recreation is saddened to learn of the passing of former men's and women's curling coach Ken McCormack.
McCormack (1953-2021) passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, April 23. He was 68.
"On behalf of the entire Laurier Golden Hawks program, I offer my sincere condolences to the McCormack family," said
Peter Baxter, director of athletics and recreation. "Ken helped build the reputation of Laurier as a destination for high-performance curling student-athletes and that legacy continues to be felt to this day."
Serving as head coach of the Golden Hawks men's and women's curling teams from 2004 until 2009, McCormack enjoyed great success during his time at Laurier. Between the men's and women's teams, he won three OUA Championships and three CIS Championships in just five years in charge of the purple and gold.
There are many moments that stand out during his career, including the 2007/08 season when he guided the Hawks to a sweep of the OUA titles as well as the inaugural CIS gold medals, earning them a berth to the 2009 FISU Winter Games in China.
Capping off his final year at Laurier in 2008/09, McCormack coached the Laurier men's team to a silver medal at the OUA Championships. Just a few weeks later in China, working with both the men's and women's team, he helpd the women earn a silver medal wearing the red and white of Team Canada.
One month later, back at the CIS Championships, McCormack once again played a role in helping Laurier's women complete an incredible year, winning back-to-back gold medals at the event, culminating a wonderful career with the Golden Hawks.
In addition to his team success, he helped launched the curling careers for a number of student-athletes who have gone on to success at the provincial and national level, including Hollie Duncan (née Nicol), Laura Hickey, Danielle Inglis, Laura Crocker, Sarah Wilkes, Shane Konings and Mike Anderson.
McCormack is survived by his wife Helen, children Leslie and Stacey, who curled for Laurier from 2003 until 2007, and grandchildren Augustus, Aubrey and Prudence.
