Moriarty Way was officially opened April 22 outside the Toldo Lancer Centre (PETER MARVAL/University of WIndsor)
By Kate Hargreaves
Each person who makes their way toward the Toldo Lancer Centre will now be doing so on the Moriarty Way as the newly opened walkway honours the late Dr. Richard Moriarty.
It’s a fitting tribute to a man who was not only a trailblazer as an educator and researcher but also a champion of Canadian university sport who mentored and supported student-athletes at the University of Windsor for more than 70 years.
The walkway highlights pillars central to Moriarty’s work as a leader, educator and advocate with interpretative signage highlighting his legacy.
At a dedication ceremony held April 22 — Moriarty’s birthday — family, friends, colleagues, university leadership and campus community members gathered to celebrate the ongoing impact of his work on Windsor Lancer athletics, the Faculty of Human Kinetics and the Windsor-Essex community.
The Moriarty Way signage is officially unveiled as part of the opening ceremony (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)
“My father dedicated his life to making things better for others — for his students, his athletes, his colleagues and his community,” said Katie Moriarty.
“Having this walkway named in his honour, at the place he loved so much, means everything to our family. It is a wonderful tribute to the man and the values he lived every day.”
The first instructor appointed to the School of Physical Health Education, which later became the Faculty of Human Kinetics, Moriarty taught from 1965 until retiring in 1988 and continued as professor emeritus. He directed the athletics program at UWindsor for 29 years starting in 1956, growing it from five teams to 22 during his tenure.
“Dr. Moriarty’s influence on the Faculty of Human Kinetics and on the University of Windsor as a whole is immeasurable,” said Dr. Linda Rohr, dean of the Faculty of Human Kinetics.
“His commitment to his students, to rigorous scholarship and to the well-being of those around him set a standard that continues to inspire everyone in our Faculty. Moriarty Way is a fitting tribute to a remarkable individual whose legacy walks with us every day.”
Beyond campus, Moriarty co-founded the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA) with his wife, Mary in 1983, helping establish Windsor as a hub for eating disorder prevention, awareness and treatment.
He was recognized by organizations across the country for his contributions to Canadian sport and physical health education, including induction into the Windsor-Essex Sports Hall of Fame, the UWindsor Alumni Sports Hall of Fame and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Each year, a Windsor Lancers team is recognized for academic excellence with the Moriarty Award, carrying his commitment to education, research and sport forward within student-athletics at the University.