Giving back: How Peter Ansley’s (BA ’66) journey at Laurier inspired a $1-million donation to Athletics and Recreation

It is a spectacularly sunny fall day and Peter Ansley (BA ’66) is speaking to a group gathered on Wilfrid Laurier University’s newly named Ansley Alumni Field. The Golden Hawks women’s soccer team is gearing up for practice behind him on the brilliant green, purple and gold turf. Those gathered before him – university leaders past and present, alumni, students, Ansley’s wife Cheri and their friends – are smiling in appreciation of his words.

“Laurier is a tremendous university, with so much to be proud of in our students, alumni, faculty, leaders and friends. And it is because of the people here today, and so many more who couldn’t be here, but have served this university,” says Ansley. “I’m honoured to be a part of this community, to give back and ensure Laurier students enjoy the Athletics and Recreation experience that meant so much to me … Go Golden Hawks!”

With these words, Ansley completes his speech with his characteristic big grin and moves back into the crowd to enjoy a few speeches from student-athletes, who share their personal appreciation to Peter and Cheri, and lead guests with a celebratory toast.

Students are thanking Peter and Cheri for their gift of $1 million in support of Athletics and Recreation at Laurier – a gift recognized by the naming of Ansley Alumni Field, written in bold golden letters on a purple scoreboard for the thousands who pass the field each day to see. Their support joins other important donors to Athletics and Recreation in the refurbishing of the field: the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association, Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union and Wilfrid Laurier University Graduate Students’ Association. Representatives from all three groups are also in attendance, enjoying the celebration.

How did Ansley come to be standing here, celebrated by his peers for a generous and visionary gift? It all started more than 50 years ago, when Ansley was accepted to Laurier – then known as Waterloo Lutheran University – in the Bachelor of Arts program.

A mentor who would change his life

“To tell you the truth,” says Ansley. “I was not the best student, but I really wanted to go to university.”

Once he was accepted, Ansley dove in to take full advantage of the opportunity, enjoying his classes (including a few in business – something that would come to play a huge role in his life and success) and playing on the Golden Hawks men’s basketball team. The team was coached by the legendary Tuffy Knight (who would later go on to coach men’s football to great acclaim) and Ansley found a mentor who would change his life.

“Tuffy had a tremendous impact on me and I suspect other athletes,” says Ansley. “He wasn’t just a good basketball coach – it was about what you learned from him about discipline, work ethic and teamwork. He really changed me. Under his mentorship I learned to work really hard and stay focused. This has served me my entire life and career, and still does. I give Tuffy a tremendous amount of credit for my life and my success.”

After university, Ansley took a job at Ford of Canada, where he quickly moved into a position unusual for a recent graduate. Channeling the discipline and focus instilled in him by Knight, and encouraged by Ford of Canada president Roy Bennett, Ansley had the opportunity through his job to attend senior leadership meetings and offer his perspectives. He was with Ford of Canada for more than nine years and held several roles there.

But he was motivated to grow, so with support from Ford of Canada, in the form of training while still in his role, Ansley decided to move into franchising.

Ansley has been the dealer at seven different Canadian Tire locations across Canada over the years. Today he is a senior dealer at the Langley, BC Canadian Tire as well as a dealer at the local Party City. He has a team of six people he considers truly outstanding, including his son, David, with whom he has worked for 13 years. Ansley says he deeply admires and respects Canadian Tire for the philanthropic work the company does across Canada, especially helping young people access sports.

Keeping in touch

Throughout the years, Ansley has maintained a deep and generous friendship with Laurier. He became directly involved with his alma mater again in 2010 through his wife, Cheri. Cheri was friends with Laurier Board of Governors member Mary D’Alton, who encouraged Ansley to join the board. He joined and served for nine years, including as vice-chair. Ansley is currently a member of the board’s Development Committee and served as chair of the committee from 2014 to 2019.

Ansley also chaired the Building Canada’s Best Business School campaign cabinet that helped raise funds to build Lazaridis Hall, a beautiful facility housing the world-class Lazaridis School of Business and Economics on Laurier’s Waterloo campus. In addition, he has been a member of the Calgary Lazaridis School Dean’s Advisory Council (2012-2019) and the Waterloo Lazaridis School Dean’s Advisory Council (2009-2014). In 2011, the Ansleys established the Peter Ansley Basketball Award to support varsity athletes on the men’s basketball team.

Ansley has been recognized by the university with awards including the Laurier Distinguished Governor Award (2019); Laurier Society Philanthropy Award (2018); SBE Dean Award for Community Service (2014); and Alumnus of the Year (2012).

Through his involvement, Ansley has developed close relationships with university leaders and counts Laurier President Deborah MacLatchy, Interim Vice-President of Student Affairs David McMurray and former dean of the Lazaridis School Micheál Kelly as good friends. He enjoys connecting with them for lunch and particularly enjoyed a recent meeting with Kyle Murray, the new dean of the Lazaridis School.

Ansley’s son, David, is also a Laurier alum and an athlete, having served as a member of Laurier’s swim team. And Ansley is still connected to his university roommates, John Schram and Barry Kelly, having gone on to do business with them over the years.

“I still keep in touch with several people from Laurier,” says Ansley. “I have a lot of time for the school, believe you me!”

‘I support Laurier, because Laurier supported me’

Beyond generosity in response to his close and meaningful relationships within the Laurier community, Ansley also has a vision for his family’s recent donation: to provide the life-changing experience of athletics to many generations of Laurier students to come.

“Athletics gives students a valuable perspective on their lifestyle and on people they meet,” says Ansley. “The discipline that athletics provides to a student’s life contributes a tremendous amount to their family and friends, their life and everything else.”

As an athlete and businessperson, Ansley sees a strong connection between university athletics and future success in business.

“Athletics makes you competitive but also supportive,” he says. “That sets you up really well to engage in business leadership.”

Ansley is excited about the future of Athletics and Recreation at Laurier and proud to be a part of it. He’s thrilled by the updates to Ansley Alumni Field, Seagram Stadium and the broader expansion of Laurier’s new Milton campus.

“I think Laurier looks to where the need is for graduates and prepares them to look at the bigger picture while supporting them to succeed,” says Ansley. “The university certainly supported and prepared me and had a huge impact on my life and the lives of my family, my wife Cheri, my children David and Christine and my grandchildren. I support Laurier because Laurier supported me and I’ll continue to support it – that’s for sure.”