Hall of Fame
Dr. Philip Hedrei (MDCM '00), a former McGill rower from the Town of Mt. Royal, Que., joined the team as a novice in 1998 and afterwards competed as a varsity student-athlete for four seasons while working on his medical degree and subsequent residency in pediatrics at the Montreal Children's Hospital. He was elected president of the McGill rowing club in 2001 and in 2008. After his collegiate eligibility was completed, he then embarked on a lengthy 20-year coaching career in 2004, including 15 years as the program's head coach from 2009 to 2023.
He steered the men's and women's program through rough waters, donating and also fundraising with the generous help of rowing alumni to overcome financial hurdles and overseeing the purchase of more than 15 racing shells and other equipment. Along with the support of many volunteer coaches, he helped maintain the program to a highly-competitive standard. In 2009 and 2013, he organized and hosted the Canadian University Rowing Association (CURA) national championships at the Olympic Basin. Hedrei was voted OUA rowing coach of the year in 2009 for his work with the men's program and won the OUA men's novice coach of the year in 2011. He was awarded volunteer of the year by the Association Québécoise d'Aviron in 2009 and was twice honoured by Rowing Canada, receiving 15-and 20-year Long Service Awards, respectively, in 2018 and 2023. He was a three-time recipient of the CURA's President's Award, presented annually to a person deemed to have contributed significantly towards the development of rowing, receiving the honour in 2009, 2013 and 2021.
