Bio

Dr. Fouad Kamal was an Associate Professor in the School of Human Kinetics for twenty-three years, starting in 1970 when he was recruited to uOttawa from McGill where he had served as the swimming coach since 1966. The University of Ottawa was planning its new Physical Education complex, Montpetit Hall, and when it opened in 1972 Kamal was the Gee-Gees varsity swimming coach.

He had won the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) championship with McGill in 1971-72, coaching that team part-time and commuting back and forth between Montreal and Ottawa as he worked to put the finishing touches on Montpetit Hall and waited to start up his own program at uOttawa. 

The Gee-Gees men's team made their debut at the CIAU National Championships in that 1972-73 season, scoring 41 points and including John Duncan's gold medal in the 200 yard freestyle. In year two the program hosted the 1974 Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Association championships. 

Duncan was one of three national medallists coached by Kamal at uOttawa, in addition to the 1975 men's medley relay team winning silver. The three-year total of nine national medals under Kamal ranks him second in program history. 

As coach, Kamal balanced technical advancements and scientific knowledge with developing a sense of team and complete student-athlete experiences.

Kamal was an assistant coach of the Egyptian National Team before immigrating to Canada and led the Canadian team at the 1973 Summer World University Games, guiding the team to a third place finish. Later in life, he would compete internationally at the 2019 World Masters Championships where he placed third in the 200m freestyle, 85 and over category. 

"In the three years that Fouad coached, many top eight finishers benefitted from his excellent coaching and guidance, as did many other swimmers. He was the most influential and best coach I had." – Ken Ekstrand, nominator.

"Fouad Kamal acted daily to promote a friendly climate, good morale and cooperation. He set a good example as a coach and communicated his excitement to us as an innovator when he introduced cross-training to develop transferable skills, strength and endurance. Fouad was a role model for me and I have employed those lessons learned from him throughout my life." – William Crate, nominator.