Beloved former men’s basketball head coach at WLU dies

Peter Campbell seen in an undated photo. (Wilfrid Laurier University)

Wilfrid Laurier University is mourning the loss of former Golden Hawks men’s basketball head coach Peter Campbell.

According to the university, Campbell was the longest-serving and winningest men’s basketball head coach in the program’s history.

Campbell spent 16 seasons leading the Golden Hawks and retired after the 2015-16 season.

He was the ninth head coach in the program’s history with 155 victories in 339 regular-season games.

“The impact he had - and light he shone - on the Golden Hawk basketball program, athletic department, and community will forever be felt,” said Cavell Johnson, Laurier’s manager of men’s basketball operations, on the school’s website. “Coach Campbell was a straight shooter with a heart of gold. His physical presence will be missed, and his legacy will be celebrated.”

In 2020, Campbell was inducted into the Golden Hawks Hall of Fame.

Campbell passed away peacefully at hospice this week at the age of 79.

Visitation is May 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Atrium at Lazaridis Hall on Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo campus.

His obituary can be found online.