Alumni Association of Lakehead University

Alumni Profile: John Heilig, BA & HBOR '92

By Maureen Arges Nadin

Already an accomplished skier who had been enjoying the excitement and challenge of skiing since childhood, John found that his educational pursuit would be interrupted over the course of the years since he first enrolled at Lakehead University in 1978. His skill, talent and commitment to the sport ultimately lead him to a variety of projects and undertakings, including earning a spot on the National (Nordic Combined Ski Team) Ski Team from 1982 to 1987. John had been competing on the slopes since 1978 and being on Canada’s National team gave him the opportunity to pit his abilities against skiers from around the world as he competed for the World Cup.

John lived in Thunder Bay from 1978 until 1994 and during his extended educational stay, he worked in a variety of capacities, all related to out door sports and recreational activities. Some of the positions took him outside of the city and province such as a post teaching white water paddling, another of his passions, in Banff, Alberta. From 1985 to 1995, John’s summers were devoted to coaching ski jumping in Calgary and when the Calgary Olympics were complete, he remained with the legacy organization that inherited the Olympic venues. Through that position, he remained active in the ski field by teaching ski jumping and Nordic combined summer camps.

But John’s zeal for outdoor pursuits was not restricted to snow covered slopes and the winter months. From 1995 to 1998, he ran his own mountain bike guiding business while living in Bragg Creek, Alberta. Intrepid customers were guided along trails in the area as well as white water rafting trips under John’s watchful eye. Seemingly as comfortable in the water as he is on the ski slopes, John is also fond of sailing and white water rafting.

From 2004 to 2006, John was able to find another application for his considerable knowledge of skiing and Nordic combined sports and the people skills that he developed over the years. During the Olympic events at Torino, he worked as a CBC commentator providing narration and insight to viewers for ski jumping and Nordic combined as well World Cup Cross-Country events in Canmore, Alberta and Vernon, BC. John also utilized his administrative and organizational skills in his position as a Technical Delegate with the International Ski Federation, ensuring that events are run safely and that all the rules are followed.

These days, John is understandably preoccupied with the considerable challenges that come with being on the Vancouver Olympic Committee, a position he has held since 2006. His job function, as he describes it is specific and could be a bit daunting for someone unaccustomed to the business – “to run the competitions.” But John takes it in stride and was pleased to take time out of his busy schedule to talk to me and reflect back on his days at LU and on the slopes and trails of Thunder Bay.

And John gained far more than an education and some great outdoor experiences while at Lakehead University. One of the more profound developments in his life took place in the hallowed halls of LU- he met his future wife, fellow Outdoor Recreation student, Kelly Allen, who had travelled to Thunder Bay from Grimsby, Ontario. Married for 17 years, John and Kelly are proud parents to five children: Abbey, age 15, Maggie13, Erik, 10 and Anna and Lauren, 7 year old twin girls. John relaxes by doing what he does best - outdoor sports, skiing, sailing and biking, usually with his family. He also enjoys reading and when asked what he likes to read, he tells me with a tinge of amusement and practicality anything I can get my hands on.”

John currently lives in Squamish, BC, a community where he hopes to remain and continue to enjoy the outstanding outdoor activities that it offers. His employment with the Olympic Committee will cease “the minute the Games are over”, he tells me and although he has no firm plan at the moment, he hopes to continue working for the Legacy Organization. Whatever the future holds for John Heilig, he will be applying the same positive personal philosophy that both he and his wife have lived their life by; “If you do what you enjoy, you’ll do a good job and it will lead to more good things.”  With his upbeat attitude, expertise and passionate commitment to outdoor sports and competition, good things are likely to continue to be in store for this LU graduate and alumnus.