The Australian sporting community lost one of its most inspirational members on Wednesday when Dr Frank Pyke passed away.

The influential, innovative and well respected sports scientist and sports administrator lost his fight with motor neurone disease after being diagnosed with the illness just nine weeks ago.

Dr Pyke worked in sport for over 30 years and made a significant impact across a number of fields during his time in the industry.

Tributes began pouring in immediately for the man that was well liked, well respected and well admired.

“Frank’s passing is a huge loss to our community,” Professor Allan Hahn, former AIS Chief Scientist said.

“During his lifetime, he was a fantastic athlete, scientist, educator, manager, leader and advocate for sport, but most of all he was simply a wonderful human being.

“He combined exceptional knowledge and expertise with tremendous enthusiasm and optimism, and had an amazing ability to galvanise and inspire the people around him.

Pyke, 69, hailed from Western Australia where he was an exceptional athlete excelling at AFL and cricket.

He moved into sport science and as a professor of human movement rose into prominence in the early 1970’s when he saved the career of one of the world’s great cricket fast bowlers, Dennis Lillee.

Following a career threatening back injury, Pyke was put in charge of Lillee’s rehabilitation and through the program he developed for the cricketer, allowed Lillee to return and become one of the world’s most feared test bowlers.

In 1990, after stints at several Universities in North America and Australia, Pyke was appointed Professor of Human Movement Studies at the University of Queensland.

From there Pyke then became the first Executive Director of the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) from its formation in 1990 to his eventual retirement in 2006.

During this time he established the VIS as not only a leading institute in Australia, but one that was also recognised worldwide for its innovative practices and history of producing world class athletes.

One of Pyke’s most significant achievements at the VIS was the development of the Athlete Career and Education (ACE) program for the career planning, personal development, and the education and training of elite athletes.

Pyke set up ACE with Judy Flanagan and Deidre Anderson with the program not only adopted nationally for elite athletes, but also used internationally for sporting institutes.

Flanagan, General Manager of Government Relations, Communications and Research Division at the ASC, praised Pyke’s work.

“Frank was a remarkable person and his commitment tothe holistic development of athletes was second to none,” Flanagan said.

“His innovative nature and exemplary work ethic led him to the top of his field and his work will be remembered for a long time.”

David Pyne, Senior Physiologist at the AIS, said Pyke’s contribution was exceptional.

“Frank made an outstanding contribution to Australian sport, was the consummate family man, and will be sadly missed by his very wide circle of family, friends, students and colleagues,” Pyne said.

The passing of Frank Pyke is a sad day for Australian sport, but one that has provoked many memories of the brilliance of his work, and the longevity of his career.

Vale Frank Pyke.