In celebration of Canadian Sport Institute Ontario’s 25th Anniversary, we are excited to share our history and the impact CSIO has had on the Ontario and Canadian sport system by elevating people and performances in the pursuit of building champions. The stories will be told over the year-long celebration through three concurrent article series – Elevating Excellence, Elevating People, and Elevating Performances.
Our latest article comes from our Elevating People series, which will take a deeper look at some of the key individuals who have shaped CSIO and those who have been supported by CSIO throughout their career. Written by David Grossman, this article explores Robert Bettauer’s role as the organization’s first President & CEO.
By David Grossman
Robert Bettauer is more than a man with an adventurous lifestyle who adores the sport of tennis.
As the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Sport Centre Ontario (CSCO) from 1998 – 2005, he is the kind of individual who, when given a new challenge and responsibilities, examines the opportunity, looks at his own history of success, also his education, as well as his executive and leadership skills. Then, he moves on to get the job done.
For Bettauer, hope has always been more than just a four-letter word. It’s where he was involved in some incredible things as an innovator. Many of them transformed the lives of thousands in a decisive and meaningful way.
Talk with him about healthy activity and be prepared for the in-depth story of his life as an athlete, coach, director, educator, broadcaster, executive – and there’s likely something else.
There’s also the critical task of developing a high-performance training centre – and that he did to perfection, helping to format what would become one of the largest national sport centres in the country.
Originally called National Sport Centre – Toronto, it quickly evolved into Canadian Sport Centre Ontario, and is now known as the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO). When he accepted the huge assignment back in May of 1998, all Bettauer had was an office, some computer equipment, and a phone at the former Sport Alliance of Ontario building in midtown Toronto.
“There was no Board, no staff, but for me it was an incredibly exciting time – a wonderful exercise to create something very special,” he recalled in a telephone conversation from Victoria, B.C., where he lives with his wife and family.
“I had done my homework before applying (for the job) and when I walked into the interview, I saw so many people who knew me and what I had accomplished. A few days later, I received a telephone call. I was offered the job as the first Chief Executive Officer.”
It was new possibilities for a man, who thrives on a wealth of knowledge, passion, family, and we can’t forget his success and prosperity in the sport of tennis.
“I had been with Tennis Canada for 10 years managing skilled people and I learned a great deal from them,” said Bettauer, whose career would go on to include executive and strategic leadership skills in the development and management of sport at all levels in Canada.
“Over time, I had also become aware of national sport system discussions to develop National Sport Centres and I was ready to make the move – and take on the challenge. For me, it was an important time to again be brave, bold, and courageous. I also knew there was much to be done because we started as a virtual network of support services. I was confident of what would come about.”
Bettauer developed his plan initially fixated on creating the legal documents to launch a not-for-profit organization. Then, he turned to creating a Board, looking for people with expertise, elevating individuals, and hiring knowledgeable staff to develop the important programs in his recipe of creating an organization of excellence and high performance.
“We had good people on the Board, starting with Doug Hamilton (who was Chair) and they did a superb job connecting with others and opening doors,” Bettauer. “I had to develop a strategic plan and hire people with credibility and was fortunate to get two of the best in organizational and leadership skills: Andy Higgins with the coaching world and Molly Killingbeck for the athletes world.”
After formulating a culture of excellence, things took off when sport science and medicine along with coaching education became priorities to support all Olympic, Paralympic National Team athletes/coaches in Ontario.
“I’m at my best when I’m busy and engaged with people – then making a positive difference in the community,” he said. “With Government funding of about one million dollars, we didn’t have to worry about start-up funding. I focussed on creating an organization that would be effective.”
Back to his days in tennis. It was while watching his mother play, that Bettauer remembers picking up a racquet for the first time at age eight. What followed, over the years, was a desire and eagerness for spotlighting all aspects of the game: playing, coaching, teaching, becoming a Canadian National coach, and broadcasting every aspect of the sport for an incredible 40 years.
Born in Berlin, his family would emigrate to Canada. Bettauer was about three years old when home became Prince George, B.C. A good chunk of his younger years was spent growing up in North Vancouver. Eventually, it was off to Toronto. In 2005, it was back out west to Penticton.
“I was tenacious, a hungry and determined kid who not only understood the importance of academics – but also wanted to do so well in tennis,” recalled Bettauer, who was on a team of international athletes at Pan Am University in Edinburg, Tex., that became one of the top 10 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Bettauer has won more than 30 Provincial titles to go along with 10 National Championships.
He hasn’t put away the competitive itch, representing Canada on six occasions in the World Seniors Championships.
He has two degrees in psychology – a Bachelor’s from Pan Am and a Master’s from Capella University, which he achieved through on-line studies while also creating that special National Sport Centre in Ontario, as its inaugural President and Chief Executive Officer.
In 1982, he added to his resume the experience of coaching – including two stints at the Summer Olympics in Seoul and Barcelona. Years later, he worked in developing a red clay court tennis centre at a major resort in Victoria. Somehow, there would always be time, in a busy schedule, to continue that other hobby he referred to as enjoyment – a television analyst in tennis.
“It’s so important in life to have great mentors – and I was very fortunate to learn so much from many great people,” said Bettauer. “While there were times when I had a comfortable job, shifting to a new challenge was also exciting. The best thing that ever happened to me was moving to Toronto 1988 and the opportunity to build something special at CSIO.”
CSIO forever changed the landscape of high performance sport in Ontario, and CSIO wasn’t his last stint with sport centre excellence.
For the past 14 years, he’s been the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Institute for Sport Education (PISE) – a non-profit supporting facility specializing in “health and wellness through state-of-the-art facilities, sport-related programs, education and services – accessible to all of our community members and all of their abilities”.
“Looking back, starting a National Sport Centre in Toronto was a daunting task,” said Bettauer. “One step at a time, great people. With enormous belief in the vision, I was determined and focussed on a mission to create something special.”
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David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.
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About Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Celebrating 25 years, Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is a non-profit organization committed to the pursuit of excellence by providing best-in-class programs, services, and leadership to high performance athletes, coaches, and National and Provincial Sport Organizations to enhance their ability to achieve international podium performances. Our team of expert staff deliver sport science, sport medicine, life services, and coaching and technical leadership support to help Canada win medals and strengthen the sport system in Ontario and Canada. CSIO is part of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, working in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, and the Coaching Association of Canada. CSIO is further supported by funding partners such as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Sport Canada. www.csiontario.ca
Media Contact:
Laura Albright, Senior Advisor, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Tel: 647.395.7536|
Email: lalbright@csiontario.ca
www.csiontario.ca