Peter Hellstrom, director of athletics and recreation at Laurentian University, succumbed to his battle with cancer on Oct. 17 at the age of 59. He held the position for 25 years and acted as the sports information officer prior to that. During his peak tenure at the school, there were 21 varsity teams housed in the athletics department before losing the hockey, swimming programs and rowing program to the insolvency process. “Hellstrom was always the biggest advocate for the student-athletes donning the blue and gold, ensuring there was equal and equitable support and funding across all programs and setting a blueprint for the experience each student-athlete should have,” the university said in a news release. “He also was sure to provide quality programming for the general student body through the recreation department.” The school said Hellstrom epitomized the pride and tradition mantra of the Voyageurs “and leaves behind a legacy that, more than the wins, losses, and personal bests, it’s the people and the relationships that matter most; a legacy that has and will continue to shape the young men and women who are lucky enough to call themselves Voyageurs.”
