Dan Cooney 1992-1994

Dan Cooney has come home.  Born and raised in Saskatchewan, he returns here to be awarded the highest honour in our profession, the R. Tait McKenzie Honour Award.  Dan is the quintessential physical educator and it is fitting that we honour him here this evening.

Tait McKenzie embraced the ideal of the well-rounded man – “the eager mind in a little body”.  Although Dan still ahs many miles to travel in his professional life, his work to date is befitting the McKenzie mould.  He has fought tirelessly for respect for physical education in all of its modalities and he has worked endlessly for the goal of a physically active education for every child in Canada.

His teaching and coaching days were spent in Alberta.  Spotted very early in his career as a bright light, he was encouraged to teach at all levels in the public school system.  Great success in these endeavours resulted in demonstration teaching for the university, work on curriculum projects that lead to the Basic Skills Series – one of CAHPERD’s best sellers, school administrative positions and, of course, physical education consultant for the Alberta Ministry of Education.  During this period he gave of himself unselfishly to professional organizations, the Alberta Health and Physical Education Council, CIRA Alberta and Western Canada Supervisors and Consultants Association.

The national scene was next.  When CAHPERD was deciding who should undertake the initiation of the Quality Daily Physical Education project, they were looking for someone with initiative, willingness to put in long hours, creative thinking abilities, administrative skills, the astuteness to develop an action plan and the ability to implement it – and above all someone with the personal and motivational skills to make it all happen.  Dan Cooney was their choice.  His two years of work on this project set such an example of diligence and success that all subsequent directors have worked hard to emulate it.

Leadership and vision, wisdom and diplomacy – these are attributes not expected in one so young, but Dan brought them to his next national undertaking, the presidency of CAHPERD.  During difficult times Dan steered a course that kept the association strong and he led the organization into the international stage.  During his term, CAHPERD provided physical education leadership in the Caribbean and sent project teams to Malaysia and China.  Dan’s skills in curriculum, evaluation and strategic planning were used directly in the Malaysia and China projects and his ability to encourage others to work together and contribute was a constant factor throughout his presidency.

As one considers qualities associated with previous winners of this award, one contemplates… leadership that makes a difference, commitment beyond question, unique personal talents, prodigious knowledge and expertise, and, most important in our field, those indefinable qualities that result in the ability to motivate and influence others.  Madame President, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present one who more than meets these attributes, Mr. Dan Cooney, winner of the R. Tait McKenzie Award of Honour, in recognition of his distinguished service to the profession and unremitting zeal in promoting its aims and projects.

1995 R. Tait McKenzie Honour Award recipient

Sasktoon, Saskatchewan

Accolades

1992-1994 CAHPERD President

1995 R. Tait McKenzie Honour Award recipient

2000 North American Society Award recipient

Dan as a baby

Brother Dave and Dan

            Dan Age 14

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