By Chad Klassen

Lenarduzzi honoured with TRU degree, fulfills promise

Jun 8, 2016 | 3:56 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s convocation week at Thompson Rivers University, and on Wednesday a Canadian soccer legend was honoured by TRU for his contributions to the province. 

Bob Lenarduzzi, the President of the Vancouver Whitecaps, received a Doctor of Law for his work helping grow the game of soccer across B.C., both as a player and coach, and now in management.

Lenarduzzi says this degree finishes a promise he made to his parents when he left to play soccer in England at just 14 years old.

“My parents had immigrated to Canada to provide their kids with a better opportunity at an education, and here I was going back the other way,” says Lenarduzzi, talking about the decision to play soccer overseas. “We had agree that I would continue my education by correspondence. I got out of Vancouver and the books were never opened, so it’s always for me been gnawing at the back of my mind. I didn’t really fulfill what I had agree to.”

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“It’s a little unorthodox the way it’s come about, but it does feel like, given what I’ve done outside of a formal education, to be honoured with this is very gratifying and great for my parents.”