KINGSTON, Ont. (May 4, 2022) - Executive Director, Queen's University Athletics & Recreation Leslie Dal Cin was presented the J.P. Loosemore Award at the OUA Honour Awards Banquet Wednesday.

Dal Cin announced earlier this year she will be retiring on May 31 after an outstanding 35-year career in sports administration, the last 15 years at Queen's as the university's first female Athletic Director. During her time at Queen's, Leslie has grown Athletics & Recreation (A&R) and its operations significantly, recruiting talented and dedicated staff who have expanded varsity and recreational programming. Leslie and her team have worked incredibly hard over the past two years, in particular, implementing new and complex protocols and processes to ensure our Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC), and as many physical activity options as possible, have been available to students despite lockdowns, closures, and restrictions.

A former university student-athlete and coach, Leslie has championed the Queen's varsity experience to enhance student-athlete success. She oversaw the development of tailored programming and structures to promote our Gaels' academic skills and achievements, and has worked with faculties and schools to recruit and support student-athletes holistically throughout their studies and varsity careers. She has implemented initiatives to promote student mental health, equity and diversity, inclusion and Indigeneity, as well as campus and community leadership, most notably establishing the Varsity Leadership Council. She led a review of the sport model that resulted in full-time professional varsity team coaches, and has ensured the growth and sustainability of sport and recreation clubs.

Leslie has also spearheaded the redevelopment of every athletic facility across campus, including the ARC, Richardson Stadium, all outdoor fields, and new purpose-built varsity training spaces. With her team, she has increased student use and expanded community access to those facilities. This includes growing the department's Q-Camp program, establishing the Jr. Gaels program, and creating strong partnerships with the secondary school sport community, Pathways to Education, and other local sport and not-for-profit organizations. In addition, in collaboration with campus partners, Leslie has led the successful charge for Queen's to host many provincial, national and international sporting events. 

A respected leader in the national post-secondary sport sector, she has led and been involved in numerous initiatives through service on U SPORTS and Ontario University Athletics Boards and Committees.

Dal Cin also led in the development of the Queen's Gaels current sport model.