Just weeks before the Olympics, after a bout of mononucleosis prevented him from rowing with the UBC-VRC eights as originally planned, Vancouver’s George Hungerford partnered with Roger Jackson for the pairs event. Their subsequent win was even more spectacular when one considers the short preparation time and Hungerford’s recent illness. Hungerford was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1970 and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1984.

Hungerford formed one half of the VRC coxless pairs rowing team that represented Canada at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and won a wholly unexpected gold medal.

Hungerford was also a member of the UBC-VRC eights that captured gold at the Canadian Henley in 1964.

Hungerford stayed active in sports as an administrator including serving as chairman of the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1977-78.

Hungerford is also inducted in the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. For his UBC biography, please visit www.ubcsportshalloffame.com