Frank Hayden

Frank Joseph Hayden (January 11, 1930 – May 16, 2026) was a Canadian physical education and kinesiology academic, and a pioneer of the Special Olympics from Oakville, Ontario.

Background Hayden was born in Windsor, Ontario on January 11, 1930 and lived in Burlington. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) at the University of Western Ontario in 1955, and a Master of Science (MS) in 1958 and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 1962 at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, with a major that combined exercise with psychology. Hayden joined the faculty of the University of Western Ontario in 1964, then became director of the School of Physical Education and Athletics at McMaster University in 1975. He retired from McMaster in 1988.

Special Olympics While at Western in the early 1960s, Hayden researched fitness programs for disabled children. While working at the School of Physical and Health Education (now Kinesiology and Physical Education) at the University of Toronto, he was advised by his supervisor about an available grant to investigate the fitness and motor skills of children with intellectual disabilities. Following his supervisor's advice Hayden discovered there was very little information published on this topic; as he later told the Canadian Encyclopedia, he realized that he could become an "instant expert". Hayden served as executive director of the Special Olympics from 1968 to 1972, and was a special consultant to the Canadian Special Olympics from 1994 to 2000. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Ontario (OOnt) in 2012. A plaque in his honour was unveiled outside his former laboratory in Thames Hall at Western University in April 2012. the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School in Burlington, Ontario was named in his honour in 2013. In 2016 he was awarded the Order of Sport, marking his induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. the University of Western Ontario (2011), and Memorial University of Newfoundland (2017).

Accolades Gail Hamamoto, Special Olympics Canada CEO, stated that Hayden's work opened doors for people.

"Frank Hayden changed the lives of millions of people because he believed something long before many others did — that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserved the same opportunities to participate, compete, belong and discover their full potential through sport."

Chris Lewis, a former Ontario Provincial Police commissioner and retiree, told of how Hayden's advocacy affected thousands of intellectually disabled people around the world. He recounted how his brother, who was autistic would not speak to strangers before the exercise programs. According to Lewis he now has interpersonal skills

Amy Van Impe said Sunday she was feeling sad about Hayden's death but grateful that she got to let him know that he was her superhero the last time she saw him at a Special Olympics event a few years ago.

44-year-old Special Olympics athlete Amy Van Impe said "I got to tell him how important he was." She described herself as having an intellectual disability and being autistic. She added that Hayden gave her the confidence to help and understand other people's differences.