MONTREAL -- Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock received an honorary doctorate from McGill University, his alma mater, on Monday at Place des Arts, in Montreal.

He was one of three recipients of an honorary degree, along with Calgary philanthropists and McGill benefactors Richard A. Walls and Carolina J. Walls, who each received a degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.

BABCOCK'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

"I grew up in a family with three sisters," said Babcock, a 50-year-old native of Manitouwadge, Ont., who was raised in Saskatoon, Sask., before accepting the degree at the university's fall convocation ceremonies. "I never had any brothers, but when I left McGill I had brothers for the rest of my life.

"The opportunity for me to grow as a human being and get a foundation — that to me is what McGill is. It provides a foundation and sets you up for the rest of your life. I'm thankful for that. I'm fortunate to be tied to the school ever since. I feel it's important to give back as much as you can."

Babcock, who received a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa,  was a two-time all-star defenceman with the McGill Redmen hockey team from 1983 to 1987. He served as co-captain and shared team MVP honours in 1986-87.  He graduated in 1986 with a degree in education and spent a year as a player-coach in England, before returning to McGill, where he took sports psychology courses for another year. From there, he embarked on a long but fruitful coaching career with stops at Red Deer College (CCAA), the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), Spokane Chiefs (WHL), Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (AHL), Anaheim Ducks (NHL) and Detroit Red Wings (NHL).
 
Along the way, he became the first hockey coach in history to win major championships at five different levels of the game. He guided the University of Lethbridge to a CIS national championship (1994), then led Canada to gold at the IIHF world junior championship (1997) and the IIHF world senior championship (2004), followed by the NHL's Stanley Cup title (2008) and an Olympic gold medal (2010).

Babcock is one of half a dozen former McGill hockey players to end up coaching in the NHL, joining head coaches Lester Patrick (New York Rangers), George Burnett (Edmonton, Anaheim) and Guy Boucher (Tampa) , along with assistant coaches Martin Raymond (Tampa) and Jamie Kompon (St. Louis, Los Angeles, Chicago)..

"When I arrived here I had no interest in academics, really," he said. "I was a good enough student, but that wasn't my thing. When I came here, the demands were so high from people around me and the institution that you had to either join in or be left behind. I was a student and was becoming a teacher and I went to grad school and then I went overseas to play hockey and I lost my way. I started to coach and that's what happened."

Babcock chose to put McGill in the spotlight when he wore the school tie of his alma mater for the Olympic gold medal game in Vancouver. He will again coach Canada's quest for gold at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
 
In 2012, he authored a book, "Leave No Doubt – a credo for chasing your dreams", which highlighted the theme that one cannot accomplish great things without facing great adversity and making peace with uncertainty. For over a decade, Babcock has brought this message on countless visits to children's hospitals where he spends time getting to know cancer patients and their families.

"Every time I'm around McGill I've been very lucky," he said. "I was lucky when I told my dad years ago I was going back to the University of Saskatchewan and he said 'no you're not.' That was the only time he ever got involved. I can't tell you how proud I am to be here today."
 
Babcock becomes only the 12th former McGill athlete to earn an honorary doctorate from the University, joining an elite group that includes Olympic swimmer Richard Pound (LLD, 2009), Olympic hurdler Sydney Pierce (LLD, 1956), Canadian tennis legend Laird Watt (LLD, 1993), rower Sen. Alan MacNaughton (LLD, 1992), football players Livio De Simone (DSc, 1994) and John Cleghorn (LLD, 2004), skier Sally McDougall (DLitt, 2013) and distance runner Julie Payette (DSc, 2003), along with hockey players Warren Chippendale (LLD, 1995), Gordon Meiklejohn (DSc, 1991) and former Stanley Cup trustee Philip D. Ross (1936, LLD).

"I think sometimes as parents we're in a rush to get our kids to decide what they're going to do for the rest of their lives," said the father of three. "The jobs they're going to have haven't even been invented yet.

"It's about building a foundation and opening up doors for yourself, and you'll find your passion and end up being really good at something. That's what happened to me."

A number of Babcock's former McGill teammates travelled in from across North America to attend the festivities, including Mark Reade from Minnesota, Fraser Gamble from Calgary and Paul Barber from Fenelon Falls, Ont. Other teammates on hand included Marek Nesvadba, Dr. Jay McMullan, John Harris, Mike Nelson, David Boucher and Dan Gubiani.
 

SOURCE:
 
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
514-398-1956 (Fax)
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)
www.mcgill athletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
Earl Zukerman?iid=am-22609974913244245778954363&nid=23+recipient&uid=314779640&utm_content=profile">@Earl Zukerman (twitter)