Maury Van Vliet


Maurice Lewis Van Vliet, was a USA-born Canadian academic who taught physical education and fitness.
Born in Bellingham, Washington, the son of Frank D. and Nellie Van Vliet, he was raised in Monrovia, California. He played baseball and football at the University of Oregon where he received a B.Sc. in 1935. He received a Master of Science from the University of Oregon in 1940 and a Doctor of Education from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1951.
He declined an offer from the New York Yankees in order to accept the newly created position of physical education director at the University of British Columbia and started in 1935. He was a coach of the Varsity basketball, football, track, boxing, and wrestling teams.
In 1945, he moved to Edmonton, Alberta to become a professor. He was Head, Director, and Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta. He was the president and CEO of the organizing committee of the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

Honours