Dr Brian Sando OAM was remembered as “everyone’s friend” at a memorial service today at the Adelaide Football Club’s Westpac Centre.
Past and current Crows players and staff were among the 2000 who gathered to farewell Dr Sando, who died on August after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 76.
One of Australia’s most experienced and respected sports physicians, Dr Sando was Adelaide’s chief medical officer for 18 years but also contributed to sport at local, national and international level.
His long list of achievements included working with the Australian team at seven consecutive Olympic Games, starting in Moscow in 1980.
Close friend and colleague Trevor Jaques, who worked alongside Dr Sando at the Crows, revealed the Club would later this year award the inaugural Brian Sando Trophy - recognising a player’s professionalism and attention to detail - at the 2012 Club Champion presentation.
Jaques said the bonds Dr Sando formed with athletes and patients created confidence and trust
“Importantly, he was the same to all, whether it be an orthopaedic surgeon or a team trainer, an Olympic medallist or a rookie footballer, a patient with a runny nose or one who required major surgery,” he said.
“He was the consummate professional. His thirst for knowledge and the need to be up to date knew no boundary.”
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said “gentle and humble” Dr Sando liked “to be regarded, at heart, as a family doctor”.
Other eulogies were read by sons, Andrew and Matthew, and friend Dr Graham West.
The service finished with the Prince Alfred College band playing the Crows theme song.
Click here to read Trevor Jaques' eulogy
