Alan Ansell. Photo Courtesy
The journey of Alan Ansell at Bishop’s
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
In a June 3 interview with The Record, Alan Ansell, a former long-serving staff member at Bishop’s University (BU), shared his life story, from his early days in Montreal to his extensive career at BU. The following is an account of his personal and professional experiences, enriched with anecdotes and reflections.
Ansell began by recounting his roots in Westmount, Montreal, and his subsequent move to the Eastern Townships. He admitted that his academic performance was less than stellar, which led him to apply to BU at his mother’s urging.
“After high school, everybody else went away to school… a friend of mine had come here, and to keep my mother happy, I applied, and I came here in January of 1972,” he explained.
Initially, Ansell applied to BU but ended up at Champlain College due to the timing of the academic year.
“I applied to Bishop’s, but it was the first year of Champlain, so all but humanities courses were given by Bishop’s professors at the time,” he recalled.
Ansell pursued business studies despite not having a strong affinity for subjects like calculus and accounting. Ironically, he ended up working in accounting for most of his professional career.
“I was in business, but I’m not a calculus person. I hate accounting, which I did most of my professional career to balance the books,” he said.
He also played football, becoming one of the two people who played two years of football at BU while enrolled at Champlain.
“In 1974, you had to be a Bishop’s student, and that’s when I went to Bishop’s,” he said. He started working with Al Grazys, the offensive line coach, and took a season off to help build the sports centre.
One memorable anecdote from his early days involved navigating to BU’s campus. On Dec. 6, 1971, Ansell arrived to register at Champlain. He followed his friend’s instructions to take a bus to the school but amusingly realized he had arrived at BU by mistake when he saw the campus and its flowers from the bus window. Lennoxville was so small, he had not realized he had gone through it.
“I asked the bus driver, ‘Is this Bishop’s?’ He said yes. I said, ‘That’s my stop,’” Ansell recounted.
Reflecting on the changes in campus life, Ansell noted that there were significantly more restaurants in the area now compared to the 1970s. Back then, for a nice meal, students would go to the Paysanne, a popular restaurant and motel at the time.
The sports centre underwent significant changes during his tenure. The original 3M Tartan floor was replaced with hardwood, which he considered the biggest change.
“The therapist’s office used to be between the basketball team room and the football team room. They took away the office and incorporated it all into the football team room as the roster grew,” he explained.
Ansell retired on Jan. 1, 2008, after 32 years of full-time work at Bishop’s. Even in retirement, he remained active in the community. He took over as secretary for the Garth Smith Senior Golf Tour and managed it for three years.
“I took over as the secretary for Garth, and then Garth passed away, so I took over and ran it for three years,” he said.
Previously, his involvement in the sports centre extended to the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA), serving as the District 10 (Canada and Alaska) director and later as the certification exam chairperson, a role he held for over 20 years. He also represented the AEMA on the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) for 15 years, helping to set standards for football helmets.
Ansell expressed his fondness for Lennoxville, highlighting the supportive community, especially during times when he was unwell.
“I live on a street of 13 homes and every neighbour comes to check on me,” he noted, contrasting this with the less personal environment he experienced growing up in Westmount.
He cherished the camaraderie at BU, reflecting on the teamwork and dedication of his colleagues like Al Grazys, Garth Smith, and Bruce Coulter.
“One of the things about Bishop’s, Garth Smith, Al Grazys, and Bruce Coulter were all three blue-chip athletes in their own right. They could be the captain or the lead of any team. To watch how three superstars could all be team players and work together, you know, and support each other was really a great learning experience,” he said.
In retirement, Ansell continues to play golf, though not as vigorously as before. He also follows developments in women’s hockey, having coached the sport for over 20 years.
“I spent 20-plus years coaching women’s hockey. I enjoyed watching the PWHL this winter, knowing that I’d coached people who could easily have played if there was a league at that time. I feel sorry for them missing the boat by maybe 15, 20, or 30 years,” he said.
Reflecting on his career, he said, “I never really took a vacation because I’d go away to meetings or conventions or conferences.”
Ansell’s story highlights his unwavering commitment to BU and the lasting impact he has had on its community. His life and career reflect a deep dedication to the institution and a genuine affection for the people and experiences that shaped his journey.