Drew Manzie
Teacher and coach;
Born June 2, 1944;
Died August 15, 2008.

DREW Manzie, who has died aged 64, was a coach and teacher. He joined the University of Strathclyde's department of physical education (as it was called in those days) in 1967 and remained with the university until his retirement in 2003.

By his retirement, Manzie was head of the physical education department and a much-loved figure at Strathclyde. Anyone who knew him was not fooled for long by his fierce appearance and introspective manner, and would quickly realise he was a man who lived to encourage participation.

He was viewed with enormous affection by generations of student sports office-bearers and club officials, as well as by his colleagues and the many thousands of ordinary students and staff who used the university's sports facilities. His advice and wisdom, whether at executive, awards or general committees, was still being sought long after his retirement.


Even after leaving, he maintained his links with Strathclyde by co-ordinating the R&A golf bursary programme on behalf of the university, and sat on the Sports Union awards committee.

Originally from Fife, Manzie was educated at Bell Baxter High School, in Cupar, where his sporting activities started with boxing and rugby, culminating in his representing the school rugby first XV. He then moved to Glasgow and the Scottish School of Physical Education at Jordanhill College, where he graduated in 1965 with a diploma of physical education and continued his rugby career with the successful Jordanhill Rugby Club. He was awarded full colours in rugby while at the SSPE and soon developed into a first-class coach.

After brief teaching stints at Greenock Academy and Stow College, he joined Strathclyde, where a lifelong interest in canoeing accompanied his continued commitment to rugby and other sports. An enthusiastic teacher and motivator, Manzie was equally comfortable across a range of activities and abilities.

Whether dealing with a world-class canoeist, an aspiring international rugby player, or someone learning to swim, they had his undivided attention and expertise. He put people at their ease immediately.

While at Strathclyde, he also showed a great willingness to take responsibility by filling committee roles in a variety of organisations. At various times he was vice president of the Scottish Canoe Association, manager of the Scottish canoe teams, committee member of Scottish Council for Physical Education, member of the HE Consultative Committee of Scottish Institute of Sport as well as president of Scottish Universities Physical Education Association, and coach and selector for Scottish Universities rugby team.

During this time Manzie also continued to satisfy his thirst for knowledge by completing an "in-service" BEd (honours) at Jordanhill and involving himself in a number of reseach projects.

Manzie was pre-deceased by his wife Chris in June and is survived by daughter Jennifer and son Kenneth.

By John Martin and Niall Sturrock

This article was originally posted on 9-Sep-2008, 14:15 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 9-Sep-2008, 14:17.