Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell is no stranger to the Glengarry sporting landscape. His athletic journey started at a very young age and he continues to serve as an inspiration and role model to young and not so young athletes in Glengarry. Born in Montreal in 1969, Glen moved to Glen Nevis with his to parents Sheila and the late Donald Campbell in 1977. Glen quickly became active and played on hockey, soccer and softball minor teams.
At age 16, Glen became a member of the Alexandria Jr. B Glens and stayed with the team until age 21. During this time, Glen captained the team for 3 seasons, won three MVP team honours and won the League MVP in 1990. The Glens won the division on 3 occasions and twice went to the Eastern Ontario Finals. Glen played varsity hockey with the Concordia Stingers for a portion of one season before committing full time to its soccer program.
Glen holds a true passion for the game of soccer. He played minor soccer in the GSL and played on the Glen Nevis Senior Men’s team for over 20 years. The team went on to win 3 league titles in the early 90’s. Glen won the league MVP a deserving 6 times. In 1995, Glen held the position of Vice-president for the GSL and served as area rep for Glen Nevis many years thereafter. For a period of 5 years, he was instrumental in organizing GSL soccer skills and coaching clinics to promote the love of the game and develop the skills of young players and coaches. As a student at GDHS, Glen played for the senior boys’ soccer team and represented his school and community at OFSAA on 3 occasions.
In 1991, Glen earned a spot on the Concordia University varsity soccer roster and played for the duration of his undergrad degree. In 1993 Glen was selected as the Stingers team captain and won team MVP. This same year he was named to the First All-star team within the province of Quebec. Glen furthered his education by obtaining his B. Ed at Mount Allison University and during this year he once again played varsity soccer.
Following his university years, Glen took up running, biking and triathlon. He completed 25 marathons, including 9 Boston Marathons and 1 Ironman distance triathlon. Glen achieved his personal best time in 2011 running the Ottawa Marathon at the age of 42. Amidst a dedicated training program for his running, Glen found time to play recreational flag football and softball for a number of years. In 2000, Glen initiated and organized the Glengarry Cancer Run/Walk to honour the memory of his late father. Over its 10 years of existence, this event received tremendous support from the community and raised $140,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Currently Glen combines his own sports schedule to focus on coaching. He counts 92 different teams that he has coached recreationally and at the school level since he began coaching in the early 90’s. When Glengarry’s soccer teams reach the OFSSA level, all of Glengarry takes notice. Glen coached eleven of GD’s soccer teams that qualified for OFSAA, resulting in 2 gold medals won in 2014 and 2019 and 3 silver finishes in 1999, 2010, and 2012. Any student and team member who has had the privilege of being coached by Glen leaves the pitch as an improved soccer player and a better person.
Glen takes great pride in having opportunity to coach his 3 daughters Ella, Mya and Jada in soccer, hockey and XC running at various times over the years. Glen shares that a special sporting moment was completing the New York City marathon with his wife Sheila (MacDougall) in 2013. This marathon will always remain his favourite.
Glen’s sporting achievements and elite sportsmanship qualities are commendable. Equally is his commitment and dedication to coaching and mentoring young athletes in the Glengarry community.
