VICTORIA – Now in its 17th year, the Vikes Championship Breakfast, held on October 8th at the CARSA Performance Gym, once again surpassed expectations, raising a record-breaking $821,727. As the largest annual fundraiser for the University of Victoria’s Department of Wellness, Recreation, and Athletics, this year’s event set a new benchmark for support.
Since 2013, the university has been a key contributor to the event. This year, their additional pledge of $250,000 towards student-athlete scholarships, included in the total, further underscores their unwavering commitment to supporting athletics and recreation.
“At Vikes Athletics and Recreation, we pride ourselves on providing the best possible student-athlete experience. The support of our community through the VCB allows us to continue doing just that. As one of our kind supporters conveyed to me just last week, the contributions received through the VCB make it possible for our student-athletes to participate in a varsity performance sport program that not only cultivates the athletic talent of our student-athletes, but also creates the conditions through which they can thrive as teammates, friends, scholars, exemplary citizens and leaders of today and tomorrow,” said Executive Director of Wellness, Recreation and Athletics, Nicole Greengoe.
“We are so very happy and grateful for everyone who made the 17th annual Vikes Championship Breakfast such a success.”
Since its inception, the Vikes Championship Breakfast has generated over $9.3 million for student-athlete scholarships, with more than $1.8 million now fully endowed. As the cornerstone of Vikes fundraising, the event is crucial in attracting top talent and retaining athletes, empowering them to compete at the highest levels while excelling in their academic pursuits.
This year, the event took a fresh approach by replacing the traditional keynote speech with a special video presentation. The presentation featured a dynamic panel of three distinguished guests: Carissa Norsten, 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalist and current member of the UVic women’s rugby team; Brittany Waters, UVic alumna and head coach of the women’s rugby team; and Mike Holmes, UVic alumnus, renowned builder, and UVic Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
“Financial support and scholarships have made a huge impact on my rugby journey as a student-athlete. Having such a busy schedule, like all student-athletes do, balancing school, homework, and work is a lot, so having that support and aid and not having to worry about those things makes a big impact,” said Norsten.
This year’s breakfast was made possible by the generous contributions of our event sponsors: Minute Maid, the University of Victoria, Rogers Sports and Media, and Team Sales Vancouver Island. We are deeply grateful for their support.
WATCH THE KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
PREVIOUS KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
2024: Carissa Norsten (Women’s Rugby) Brittany Waters (Women’s Rugby) Mike Holmes (Men’s Rugby)
2023: Adam Donaldson (Men’s Rowing)
2022: Kathleen Leahy (Women’s Field Hockey)
2021: Nathan Hirayama (Men’s Rugby Alumni)
2020: Debbie Yeboah (Women’s Basketball Alumni)
2019: Chris Hindmarch-Watson (Swimming), Joann Malhotra (nee Nash – women’s soccer) and Lindsey Bergen (nee Jennerich – Rowing)
2018: Gareth Rees (Men’s Rugby)
2017: Ian Hyde-Lay (Men’s Basketball)
2016: Nancy Mollenhauer (Women’s Field Hockey)
2015: Simon Whitfield (Olympic Triathlete)
2014: Darcy Marquardt (Women’s Rowing)
2013: Dr. Paul E. Zehr (UVic Professor and author)
2012: Pierre Lafontaine (Former Swimming Canada CEO)
2011: Adam Kreek (Men’s Rowing Alumni)
2010: Stephanie Dixon (Women’s Swimming Alumna)
2009: Bob Lenarduzzi (President, Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
2008: Chris Hebb (Men’s Basketball Alumni)
BREAKFAST FUNDS RAISED
2024: $821,727
2023: $746,823
2022: $807,256
2021: $707,590
2020: $630,000
2019: $550,000
2018: $604,000
2017: $595,050
2016: $503,909
2015: $466,756
2014: $482,640
2013: $492,086
2012: $426,606
2011: $424,685
2010: $377,405
2009: $338,196
2008: $330,961
