John Furlong has been reinstated as the keynote speaker for a UBC Athletics fundraiser after he was quietly shown the door because, as the university president said today, “It’s the right thing to do.”
Initially announced as the keynote speaker for the Feb. 28 gala, Furlong was removed from the event in late December after an alumna complained he should not be awarded such a prestigious platform since being accused of verbally and physically abusing students at a northern B.C. day school 40 years ago and misrepresenting this part of his past in his autobiography. Furlong denied the accusations and launched lawsuits against the newspaper and reporter that published the claims. He later dropped those suits.
UBC President Santa Ono Furlong an apology Jan. 3, and today announced the former head of the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»Olympic Games will indeed be speaking at the Millennium Scholarship Breakfast, an annual fundraiser for student-athletes.
“UBC and I have apologized for our handling of this matter publicly and directly to John Furlong and his family,” Ono said in a written statement released Jan. 9. “With today’s decision we are making right the fundamental wrong at the heart of the issue: a well-intentioned but incorrect decision to cancel John’s speaking engagement in the first place.
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“John Furlong has an extraordinary record of public service and accomplishment, and is the holder of an honorary UBC doctorate degree. He has been, and continues to be a champion for amateur sport in Canada and around the world. In this regard, he is especially qualified to speak at this event for the benefit of our aspiring student athletes.”
For the second time, Furlong accepted the invitation to speak and said it was "both a priviledge and an honour" to be asked to participate.
"I'll do my very best to deliver an address worthy of this community celebration elevating student athletics and the power of sport," said Furlong in a news release.
He added he has been overwhelmed by support from Canadians during the past two weeks, a humbling experience he said lifted his spirits.
"As most everyone can understand, this has been a terribly difficult time for us, however adversity is a force in sports, in business and in life that can reveal uncommon strength and humanity. I respect and appreciate that President Ono and Board Chair Stuart Belkin have shown decisive leadership, making a wrong decision right. I trust we can leave this behind us now to focus on ensuring the event enjoys record attendance and financial success."Â
In his statement, Ono said his decision to invite Furlong back was a corrective measure.
“Notwithstanding what led to the decision to cancel Mr. Furlong’s keynote address, I have made it my decision as president of the university to reverse course because it is simply the right thing to do.
“The British Columbia Civil and Supreme Courts have ruled in favour of Mr. Furlong in every matter that has come before them. The university had no basis to put its judgment above theirs.
“My strong hope is that we can now all move forward with Mr. Furlong delivering an inspirational address that will result in a memorable, uplifting experience for the audience and a highly successful fundraiser for UBC’s student athletes.”
Before testimony could be heard regarding the 2012 Georgia Straight newspaper about him, Furlong dropped his lawsuit against Laura Robinson, the journalist who first reported accusations he abused First Nations students in the late 1960s and ’70s. He denied all accusations and accused Robinson of bias. Robinson later filed a defamation lawsuit against Furlong and lost.Â
Tickets for the fundraiser cost $225.
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