Associate Dean wins double gold at Pan-Am Masters Games

Last month, Associate Dean of Engineering Technology, John Van Loon enjoyed two gold-winning moments at the Pan-American Masters Games. 

John participated in the Pan-American Master Games, which took place in Cleveland, OH from July 12-21. 

He competed in not one but two sports, Men's Volleyball 50+ division and Men's Pole Vault 50+ division. His volleyball team placed first and John also took home a gold medal for his individual achievement in the field event. 

Throughout most of his life, it wasn’t volleyball that held John’s interest, it was basketball. 

“All my life I have tried to keep in shape and basketball gave me a definite reason to stay in shape,” he says. It was through his daughter’s sporting pursuits that he became friends with a volleyball player who convinced John to join his team at the age of 51. “For a few years I was just there for fun, but I started getting better and better. For fun [my team] entered a tournament in New York and we did fairly well against some of the better teams in the US.” This inspired them to pursue further competition, entering the Pan-Am Masters Games. 

The Pan-Am Masters Games are held every four years to celebrate the vibrancy and sportsmanship of athletes from more than 50 countries, competing in nearly 30 medal-contending sports. Masters athletes are designated as 30 years or older, with some competitors being more than 100 years of age. 

Pole vaulting took a different route for John. “I competed in pole vault from Grade 9 to third year of university.” It was watching Russian vaulter Sergi Bubka in the early ’80s with his dad - on a small colour TV tuned to ABC's Wide World of Sports - that inspired John to try vaulting.  

After leaving vaulting for several years to pursue work, John returned to the sport while in grad school at McGill University. He won the Quebec varsity gold in pole vault at age 26.  

For the past seven years, John has been coaching pole vault for the Hamilton Olympic Club. “Coaching is its own reward but because I was coaching, I stayed in touch with the sport.” Eventually, after overcoming injuries, John started jumping again. “Because I was already going to the Pan-Am [Masters] Games, I entered for pole vault as well,” he says. 

Since 2002, John has worked at the college as a faculty member in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology programs. Recently, he became the Acting Associate Dean of Engineering Technology. 

When asked who he would like to recognize for helping him get to this level of achievement, he shared he couldn’t do it without those closest to him. “Special mentions would go to: My wife who is an unbelievable supporter; My original coach, Dave Mills, who showed me what it was to be a coach; My ‘back repair guy’ - Chiropractor Aras Kvedaras, who was instrumental in allowing me to continue walking, let alone playing sports; And my parents who provided support every step of the way.” 

So, what’s next for John? He intends to continue to coach and train. “Our volleyball team has qualified for the US Nationals held next year and we are discussing competing overseas in the International Masters competitions in Taipei in 2025,” he says. 

Congratulations John on this amazing achievement and good luck on your future pursuits!