Ian Anderson played high school football for the legendary Matt Phillips at Lord Byng Secondary School in 1959. At that time high school football switched from a spring to a fall sport so he actually played two seasons in the same year. After graduating from UBC in 1968, Ian joined Matt Phillips coaching and teaching at Steveston Secondary School. In 1972 he became the Head Coach of the Packers. After retiring from teaching Ian again joined Matt in coaching at Lord Tweedsmuir and Earl Marriott.
A true gentleman on the sideline, he was also a strict disciplinarian with players and assistant coaches.
Respected the role officials played in every game and went to great lengths to ensure enjoyment by all.
He served as President of the BCFOA, was instrumental in recruiting numerous former players and coaches into the officiating community and served as an ambassador of high school officials well after his twenty-year coaching tenure with the Steveston Packers was over.
He served as President of both the BCFOA and BC High School football (1982 – 1984, 1986) and was instrumental in developing and strengthening many of the policies and procedures forged between the two organizations.
Ian Anderson was inducted into the BC Football Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Richmond Sports Wall of Fame in 2018.