Each Wednesday for a six-week period from June 4 to July 2, one of the newly minted inductees to the McGill Sports Hall of Fame will be profiled. In our third installment for the Class of 2025, read about Dr. Philip Hedrei (MDCM '00), who as a builder, left an indelible mark on McGill's storied rowing program.
 
Hedrei spent a quarter-century involved with the McGill program — first as a student-athlete (1998 to 2002), then as an assistant coach (2004-2008), and finally as head coach from 2009 to 2023.
 
Born and raised in the Town of Mount Royal, Que., the 48-year-old Hedrei earned his medical degree from McGill in 2000, later becoming a pediatrician in the Emergency Department at the Montreal Children's Hospital and an assistant professor in McGill's Department of Pediatrics. But his legacy in the McGill rowing community was forged not in the classroom or clinic, but on the water — and through tireless leadership behind the scenes.
 
As a rower, Hedrei joined the McGill novice crew in 1998 and by the following year had already worked his way up to the men's elite heavyweight eight. He served as a co-captain and was elected president of the rowing club (2001), playing a pivotal role in securing the program's elevation from a self-funded club to Level 2 status, making it partially funded by the University. It was a pivotal step in stabilizing the program's resources.
 
After his collegiate eligibility was completed, Hedrei returned to the program for two decades in a volunteer coaching capacity. His dedication as an assistant coach led to a 15-year run as head coach, beginning in 2009, during which he became one of the longest-serving leaders in McGill rowing history. He steered the men's and women's program through rough waters, donating and 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.
 
Among his defining moments was in 2008, when he worked with then head coach Andrew Howard to navigate significant logistical challenges that forced the McGill crew to train in different cities — Boucherville and Lachine — 30 kilometres apart. Undeterred by that headache, Hedrei then took over as head coach the next year and organized a heavy-undertaking with the hosting of the 2009 Canadian University Rowing Association (CURA) national championships at the Olympic Basin. With minimal institutional support, he rallied volunteers and delivered a widely-praised event where McGill captured its first-ever gold at Nationals (men's lightweight double), in addition to a bronze in the women's lightweight coxed four. He also hosted and organized the CURA championships in 2013.
 
His coaching acumen earned recognition from Ontario University Athletics, with men's varsity coach of the year honours in 2009 and novice coach of the year in 2011. Hedrei was awarded volunteer of the year by the Association Québécoise d'Aviron in 2009, received the CURA President's Award three times (2009, 2013, 2021), presented annually to a person deemed to have contributed significantly towards the development of rowing. He also merited two long service awards from Rowing Canada, in 2018 and 2021.
 
Beyond coaching, Hedrei was the engine behind fundraising efforts, overseeing a $60,000 annual budget and managing a fleet of about 20 boats. He contributed significant personal gifts and was instrumental in growing alumni engagement, including a McGill24 crowdfunding initiative in 2022-23 that raised over $67,000 — the highest among all varsity teams that year. He also helped secure donations of new racing shells, named after donors and Olympians such as Derek O'Farrell and Doug Vandor, who were both inducted to the McGill Sports Hall of Fame.
 
Hedrei's leadership extended to maintaining team cohesion during the COVID-19 pandemic, which canceled the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He kept athletes connected and reinvigorated alumni engagement through the Friends of McGill Rowing, ensuring the program's resilience. His efforts to organize events like the Queen's-McGill Challenge boat race for nearly two decades (1997-2015) and reviving the Toronto-McGill race in 2023, donating three trophies in partnership with the University of Toronto.
 
"Without Phil's dedication and love for McGill Crew, it could have disappeared," said Andrew Howard, a former McGill athlete and assistant coach. "Instead, his advocacy and commitment helped it flourish. I love that McGill Crew is doing better than ever — and I have Phil to thank for that."
 
Dr. Hedrei remains a devoted member of both the McGill and Montreal medical communities — but his legacy on the water is now officially part of McGill's sporting history.
 
Other laureates accompanying Hedrei in the McGill induction class of 2025 include Dr. Donald Taylor (DDS '66), a football and hockey player from Lachine, Que., football's Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif of St. Hilaire, Que., and hockey's Katia Clément-Heydra (BA '14), from St. Bruno de Montarville, Que. Also selected in the builder category is Abigail Tannebaum-Sharon (BA '00), a lacrosse player-coach from Bethesda, MD. Picked in the team category is the 2015 men's lacrosse squad that posted a perfect 15-0 record in league and playoffs en route to capturing the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association championship.
 
The McGill pantheon now has 186 honoured members, 31 of them Olympians. Founded in 1996, it will be celebrating its 30th induction class this year and is located inside Tomlinson Hall at the Sir Arthur Currie Gymnasium at 475 Pine Avenue West. This year's induction luncheon is slated for Friday, Oct. 24, as part of McGill Homecoming 2025, and will be held at 1909 Taverne Moderne, next to the Bell Centre on Avenue des Canadiens. Ticket information will be announced in early September and posted on the McGill Athletics and Homecoming 2025 websites.

SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-983-7012 (cell)
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca