2007 Special Achievement
Brent McFarlane

Born:  Sarnia, Ontario
Sport:  Track & Field Coaching


Brent McFarlane is regarded as one of the best coaches of the world.  He was born in Winnipeg in 1948 and grew up in Sarnia.  He went to Sarnia Central and SCITS where he was a star athlete in track, football and basketball.

In 1968 he attended the University of Waterloo where he received an Hon Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology.  While attending the University, he was a member of the Outdoor and Indoor Track & Field Teams in 1968, 1969 and 1970.  He was on two UW Ontario University Amateur Athletic Championship Track & Field Teams and a member of two varsity record setting relay teams
(4x200m and 4x400m relay).

In 1989 he became the head coach of Track & Field and Cross Country for the University of Waterloo.  In 1996 he coached a nationally unranked University of Waterloo Women's Cross Country Team to a surprise upset victory at the OWIAA Provincial and the Canadian Athletic Union (CIAU) champions - Waterloo's first national title in twenty years.  In 1996 he was named University OWIAA and CIAU Cross Country Coach of the Year.  In 1997, 1998 and 2000, McFarlane was named OWIAA Women's Track & Field Coach of the Year.  In 1991 and 1997 he was named "Coach of the Year" at UW.

In his efforts to keep Canada informed about current world trends in speed, hurdles and strength, he studied and visited coaches in over 50 countries.  His knowledge of biomechanics, speed, strength and current world trends resulted in the publications of over 550 articles around the world, as well as, author of Canada's NCCP Level II and III sprints and hurdles courses.  Brent is a level IV NCCP sprint and hurdle coach.  He is the author of four hurdle books - "The Science of Hurdling and Speed" which have sold over 12,000 copies world-wide.  In 2002 he published "The Sciences, Speed, Agility and Condition", 2nd Edition.  In 1993 he was awarded the 3M Coaching Award of Excellence by 3M and Athletics Canada for his contribution ot education in Canada.

Brent was a member of 30 Canadian national teams.  He has coached on four Canadian Olympic teams, serving as Canada's Head Track & Field Coach for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Brent was a member of 30 Canadian national teams.  He has coached on four Canadian Olympic teams, serving as Canada's Head Track & Field Coach for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Brent has been a volunteer coach in Waterloo County for more than 37 years with the K-W Track & Field Association.  Athletes from his training groups have established:  22 Canadian Records, 37 Provincial Records, 40 National Champions, 185 Ontario Champions (includes 50 OFSSA High School Champions).  43 Waterloo County athletes have been on Canadian National Teams.

In 2002 Brent began coaching the Laurier Golden Hawks football team, by providing a unique SAC (Speed, Agility and Conditioning) program keying on speed for football.  In 2005 this team had a undefeated season - a 12 - 0 record, winning the Ontario University Yates Cup.  As huge underdogs this team went on to win the Vanier Cup to become CIS National Champions.


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