Football alumnus Justice Hugh Fraser appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada

For his transformative contributions to Canadian sport as an internationally recognized expert in sports law and as a former Olympian, The Honourable Justice Hugh L. Fraser was announced as an Officer of the Order of Canada on December 29.

Fraser graduated from the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law in 1977 and was a member of the national championship-winning Gees football team in 1975… while training for the Olympics and attending law school.

The highly decorated track star was a member of Canada's 1976 Olympic Team as a sprinter. He represented Canada at the 1975 Pan Am Games, where he won bronze as a member of the 4x100m relay team, and the 1978 Commonwealth Games. He was also selected by Toronto in the 1977 CFL Draft.

Fraser was appointed as a judge of the Ontario Court in 1993 and remained on the bench for 25 years, presiding over several high profile cases. He has remained heavily involved in the sporting community throughout his impressive legal career, including acting as arbitrator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport. 

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. More than 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.  

The University of Ottawa has had numerous professors and alumni appointed to the Order of Canada in recent years. Gee-Gees alumni to be honoured with the Order of Canada include Jean M. Bélanger (Officer, football team member), Paul Gendreau (Officer, men's basketball team member), The Honourable John D. Richard (Officer, football team member),  Alex Trebek (Officer, men's basketball team member), Roch Voisine (Officer, men's hockey team member).