SCOTTISH rugby’s most-capped player, Chris Paterson, is being recognised by the University of Edinburgh, where he spent three years studying to become a teacher.
Paterson, who won 109 international caps and scored a record 809 points for Scotland in an illustrious career will tomorrow (30 May) be inducted into the University’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Previous inductees to the Sports Hall of Fame include Olympic 400m champion Eric Liddell, quadruple Olympic gold medal-winner Sir Chris Hoy, three-time Olympic silver medallist Katherine Grainger and Scotland’s most-capped woman footballer, Julie Fleeting.
Paterson is Scotland’s most capped male rugby union player Photo:Madamina
Commenting on his award, Chris Paterson, whose 13 year professional career included time at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Gloucester, said: “I’m hugely honoured and delighted at this very special accolade. I studied Physical Education at Moray House for three years, never thinking I would go on to become a professional athlete for as long as I have. Hopefully I can continue to represent the University in the future as well.”
Joining Chris Paterson in the Hall of Fame will be hockey player Alistair McGregor, who has won well over 100 caps for Scotland and Great Britain and who was one of the top-rated players and team captain of Team GB Hockey at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Also being recognised is Susan Jackson, one of only two Scotland shooters to have a ‘full house’ of Commonwealth Games medals, winning one gold, one silver and one bronze at each of three consecutive Games, beginning in Malaysia in 1998.
Jim Aitken, Director of the University’s Centre for Sport and Exercise, said: “Elevation to the Sports Hall of Fame is the highest sporting award the University can bestow, and is designed to honour Edinburgh graduates who have achieved success on the world sporting stage. Chris Paterson, Susan Jackson and Alistair McGregor have all made huge contributions to their respective sports and are very worthy additions to our Hall of Fame.”
