The ninth annual UVic Vikes Championship Breakfast brought in more than $450,000 on Tuesday.
Two-time Olympian Nancy Mollenhauer was charming as this year’s keynote speaker. The two-time UVic athlete of the year and teacher at St. Michaels University School was a fitting speaker for a crowd filled with Olympians, including Rio medalist and Vikes grad Lindsay Jennerich. Mollenhauer represented Canada in field hockey at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.
The early morning event is the Vikes biggest fundraiser of the year for student-athlete scholarships. It has now raised a nine-year total of more than $3.8 million.
More than 650 supporters who filled the performance gym floor for the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities.
“It really is a pleasure for me to look out at the assembled supporters and sponsors today—it’s a reminder for me of the sheer community required to support our Vikes and also the generosity of our community,” said Clint Hamilton, Vikes athletics and recreation director.
UVic matches the first $200,000 raised.
Mira Laurence, the executive director of Headway, Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre, reprised her role as emcee.
