John David Hawes was born March 1, 1951 and graduated from McGill with a bachelor of science degree in 1972, followed by a diploma in education the following year.
Currently residing in Stittsville, Ont., the native of Pointe Claire, Que., qualified for the CIAU national swim championships in each of his four seasons with the Redmen and was a two-time recipient of the Forbes trophy as McGill’s male athlete of the year (1970-71 and 1971-72).
Hawes established 13 school records in 1971-72, leading McGill to its first-ever CIAU national title as the Redmen finished first of 21 teams. At the Nationals, Hawes established four CIAU meet records and won three gold medals to earn swimmer-of-the-meet and All-Canadian honours.
Hawes also broke Canadian national records in three events -- the 100-yard backstroke (0:54.2), the 200 backstroke (1:59.4) and as part of the 4x100 freestyle relay (3:15.5). The next year, he captained the team and led McGill to the Quebec conference title for the second straight year.
He swam for Canada at the 1973 World University Games in Moscow, where he won bronze in the 200m backstroke. Hawes qualified to swim for the Canadian Olympic swim team at the 1972 Munich Games and four years later, competed at the Montreal Olympics in modern pentathlon.
Honours
World University Games (1973)
Swam for Canada at the 1973 World University Games in Moscow, where he won bronze in the 200m backstroke
Won the Forbes Trophy in 1971-72 as McGill’s Male Athlete of the Year.
Won the Forbes Trophy in 1970-71 as McGill’s Male Athlete of the Year.
