VICTORIA – The 11^th Annual Vikes Championship Breakfast was held today, Sept. 25, in the CARSA Performance Gym and $604,000 was raised for student-athlete scholarships. The 11-year total hit the $5 million mark for total amount raised since the inaugural event in 2008. 
 
"What I can say to you now is that every seat sold, both virtual and in person, and every donation has made a difference to UVic student-athletes," said Clint Hamilton, director of Vikes Athletics and Recreation, in his welcoming address this morning. "Our students-athletes are scholars, future lawyers, doctors, teachers, engineers, successful entrepreneurs, champions of social justice, coaches and sport leaders."
 
For five years since the inaugural 2008 event, UVic provided a match for the first $150,000 of profit raised but since 2013 that amount has been increased to $200,000. Every year, Vikes athletes contribute by setting up, taking down and serving food at the event. Degrees Catering provided breakfast, served by varsity student-athletes, while the event was proudly sponsored by PepsiCo Canada.
 

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THANK YOU to everyone who supported @UvicVikes student-athletes today near and far and over the last 11 years! 5️⃣ million dollars raised since 2008. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thanks to our supporters @pepsico @tropicana_ca and @universityofvictoria ⚡️

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Former Vikes men's rugby player and World Rugby Hall of Fame member Gareth Rees gave a compelling keynote address highlighting his connections with high performance sport, the Vikes and Rugby Canada. Rees led Canada to four World Cup tournaments, was the back bone of Canada's mens' rugby team for 14 years and is also a member of the Canada and UVic Sports Hall of Fames.
 
The Vikes Championship Breakfast is the largest annual fundraising event for Vikes Athletics. The support generated by the event helps with both recruitment and retention, allowing Vikes Athletics the opportunity to compete at the highest-level year in and year out.
 
 

BREAKFAST FUNDS RAISED
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
 
PREVIOUS KEY NOTE SPEAKERS

2018 Gareth Rees (Men's Rugby Alumni)
2017 Ian Hyde-Lay (Men's Basketball Alumni)
2016 Nancy Mollenhauer (Women's Field Hockey Alumna)
2015 Simon Whitfield (Olympic Triathlete)
2014 Darcy Marquardt (Women's Rowing Alumna)
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)