These Coaching Recognition Awards were established by Dr. Gerry Glassford, former Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. Dr. Garry Smith, past Chairman of the Department of Athletics, donated the trophy. The awards may be presented to an assistant coach of one of the Golden Bears and Pandas teams or a coach outside the University of Alberta system.
The recipients of the award must have coached for a minimum of five years. A key factor in selection is that the University of Alberta must have benefited from this coaching, either through coaching our own varsity athletes or by producing athletes that play on University of Alberta teams.
The winners shall have demonstrated long standing coaching excellence in the follow areas: teaching ability, knowledge of the sport, and the ability to motivate the athletes they coach. The person's teams must have demonstrated high levels of sportsmanship, ability and fitness.
It is intended that the R.G. Glassford Awards consider gender equity as a principle in the selection of the recipients.