Bison Sports mourns the loss of Dr. Henry Janzen, who passed away last week at the age of 82.
Janzen was born in Winnipeg and had a huge impact on the community, including in sport and active living. A local product of the Weston Wildcats junior program, he played seven seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and was the team's Rookie of the Year in 1959. Janzen, who made a difference in all three facets of the game, was also named Outstanding Canadian and was a CFL All-Star in 1965 following a seven-interception campaign. He was inducted into the Bombers' Hall of Fame in 1989.
Following his playing days, Janzen gave back to the sport, leading the University of Manitoba Bisons football program from 1968-70. He amassed a regular season record of 17-3 and helped UM to back-to-back Vanier Cup championships in 1969 and 1970, the first two Canadian Intercollegiate Football titles for the school. Manitoba also became the first program to ever win back-to-back championships, and are honoured members of the Manitoba Football and Manitoba Sports Halls of Fame.
The Bisons went undefeated in 1969, capping an 8-0 season with a 24-15 win over McGill. They had quick, strong linemen including Tim Coyle, Bob Keating, Cliff Crawford, Al Kinley, Gerry Fraser and Ollie Hensrud, who paved the way on sweeps for running backs Dennis Hrycaiko, Graham Kinley and Mike Shylo. Quarterback Bob Kraemer, who was converted from receiver to pivot, was named Player of the Game in the national final.
The following season, Manitoba defeated Ottawa 38-11 to defend their title. Shylo was named Player of the Game, while Kraemer, kicker Walt McKee and running back Bob Toogood later played for the Blue Bombers.
Janzen's legacy as a coach was about far more than wins and losses. He was a mentor for many, including current Bisons football head coach
Brian Dobie, who had him as a professor in a few different courses following the latter's time as head coach.
"[Janzen] was my absolute, literal first influence into coaching, without a doubt," he said.
"I was a student-athlete playing Bisons football, and he really influenced me to think about coaching, and to understand different perspectives. It peaked my interest. He was really impactful that way. "He would refer to football different times when he was teaching, and I would stay after class and talk to him. I'm extremely grateful that I got to know him the way that I did. He was a great, great man."
Janzen spent the majority of his professional career as the Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the university. Under his leadership, the School of Physical Education was established as a faculty. Additionally, he was integral in the establishment of the Health, Leisure and Human Performance Research Institute and Recreation Studies. He was also the Chair and founding board member of the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, School Trustee for Pembina Trails School Division for 24 years and Chair of many community boards.
In Janzen's memory, the tier building flag is at half mast on Tuesday. July 26.
