The B.C. Lions honoured Bill MacGregor for his efforts to build the sport of football in Abbotsford at the CFL team's annual Orange Helmet Awards on Friday at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver.
MacGregor, a longtime Abbotsford school administrator and current city councillor, was the recipient of the Bob Ackles lifetime achievement award, and was lauded as the "Father of Abbotsford Football" in the program for the gala event.
Following his playing career with the Simon Fraser University Clan, MacGregor was drafted by the Lions in 1973 and played two exhibition games with the club.
He began his local teaching and coaching career at Abbotsford Junior, and established the football team at Abby Senior in 1981, winning the provincial title in 1984.
He would go on to have a hand in founding three other football programs – the Abbotsford Air Force junior squad, and the Rick Hansen Hurricanes and Robert Bateman Timberwolves high school teams. He also helped to restart the program at Abby Collegiate/Senior in 2006 after a hiatus.