Obituary: Sandy King

All at Scottish Student Sport are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Sandy King after losing his battle with cancer.

Sandy is rightly recognised as one of the greats of College Sport in Scotland, having devoted his career to instilling the benefits of activity to students and staff at a local and national level.

He was instrumental to Sport and Fitness at Kilmarnock (now Ayrshire) College and retired as curriculum leader in 2014 following three decades of exemplary service. His impact within further education was clear, and beyond the direct benefit felt by his students he was also a treasured mentor, colleague and partner to many in the network.

Sandy also made a significant contribution to the early years of Scottish Colleges Sport in the first decade of 2000s, helping to mainstream activity across the network and pave the way for SSS to become a unified body in 2011. Later he would lead delegations to competitive success at UK level, all while staying true to his style of quiet determination and committed investment in others.

Sandy was one of the most supportive, encouraging and generous folk you could ever hope to meet. He radiated warmth and humanity, had an enormous passion for developing people and had a wonderful capacity to inspire action in others.

Sandy had a softly spoken wisdom about him and embodied a deep commitment to education and a keen sense of the value – and values – of sport.

The Sandy King Salver, most recently awarded at the 2026 College National Finals

Such was his impact on us all that upon his retirement the Sandy King Salver was inaugurated within SSS. The Salver is proudly presented annually as a special award for fair play and sportsmanship at our College finals, giving us the chance to celebrate his impact and promote his infectious approach to life.

All at SSS send Sandy’s family and friends our love and support at this most challenging time. We are grateful to have known him and his huge contribution will be long, and fondly, remembered.