Ian Anderson started out in the 1960’s as a high school middle distance coach, with team from all four high schools where he taught winning City of Etobicoke or OFSAA championships.  He joined the Toronto Striders and then in the early 70’s formed Track West. Track West was a very successful middle distance club, with one highlight coming in 1978 when three of the six junior boys that formed the Canadian Cross Country team finished second as a team at the World Cross Country Championship. Track West’s Rob Earl also earned a silver medal at that same Worlds. received the Special Achievement Award at the Ontario Sport Awards for his contributions to the sport of Track & Field in Ontario Ian served as the meet director for the 1972 Olympic Trials in Scarborough and in 1973 formed the Ontario Meet Directors Council, for which he served as the first chairman.

From 1971 to 1976, he ran a major meet, often with crowds of 3,000 or more at a three- hour invitational. Ian coached and officiated with Bolton Pole Vault. In 2022 which marked his 55th OFSAA in one capacity or another, Anderson said “As pole vault chief for one last time, it is time to pass the hat on to the younger generation.” Anderson has been the Head Track and Field Coach at four Etobicoke High Schools beginning in 1965 – Alderwood, Kipling, Keiller MacKay and Richview Collegiates winning championships at all of them.

In 2013, he received the Special Achievement Award at the Ontario Sport Awards for his contributions to the sport of Track & Field in Ontario and was inducted into the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame. Ian Anderson has coached many great athletes including the more recent 2024 Summer Olympics bronze medalist pole vaulter Alysha Newman who says “she can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honour and that his legacy will continue to inspire athletes and officials for years to come.”