Black Canadian Female Coach and Olympian named Athletic Director

Vancouver, BC: Capilano University’s Department of Athletics and Recreation announced the hiring of Georgette Reed as its new Athletic Director on March 14, 2022. A former Olympian, Reed moves to Capilano University after a 10-year career at the City of Edmonton, most recently as the Health and Wellness Coordinator with the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services. Georgette is a member of the BCCA’s 2021-22 Black Female Coach Mentorship Program (BFCMP) as a mentor coach to two BIPOC identifying female coaches. She holds a MA in Coaching Sciences from the University of Alberta, a BPE in Physical Education and a BA in Communications from Washington State University.

Georgette Reed was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and is the daughter of former Saskatchewan Roughriders football player George Reed, and like her father, she attended Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, Wash. She started her athletic career in Regina, with the Junior National Swim Team representing Regina in 1981. In 1986, she accepted a swimming scholarship to attend Washington State based on her success as a swimmer with the Regina Optimist Dolphins. Reed was an All-American in shot put for the Cougars and remains a WSU record holder in the event. Georgette has competed internationally in multiple sports for over three decades. Some of her successes include: women’s shot put and track and field at the 1992 Summer Olympics, and representing Canada at the 2001 World Athletics Championships in Edmonton and the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, B.C. Reed is a 17-time national champion with 15 shot put titles and two in discus. 

Georgette was a multi-sport athlete and represented Canada internationally at the Olympics.

Upon retiring from playing, Georgette transitioned into coaching at the high performance level. Georgette served as the head cross country, track and field coach for the University of Alberta Pandas (U Sports) for 10 years, and helped develop champions at the provincial, national and international levels and was a mentor/coach for Special Olympics Athletics athletes and coaches in Alberta. Georgette coached in Athens at the 2004 Olympics and in Beijing at the 2008 Paralympics. She is currently part of the coaching pool for the International U20 and NACAC Athletics teams, assisting in the throws events.

Georgette poses with father George Reed, arguably one of the greatest Football players in CFL history.

“I am honoured to be selected as the next Director of Athletics and Recreation for Capilano University,” said Reed. “Milt has built an incredible foundation for myself and this incredible staff to work together and build upon. With my background in health and wellness, recreation and athletics, I look forward to bringing my energy, experience and passion to contribute to what will be exciting times ahead here at CapU.”

– Georgette Reed on her appointment as Athletic Director at Capilano University

Reed will start in her new role as Athletic Director at Capilano University on April 4, 2022. To read the full press release from Capilano Athletics, click here.

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