UPEI Celebrates its Panther Sport Heroes
It takes a heroic effort by people at every level of the community to support dynamic athletics and fitness programs that build community pride and develop youth leadership across the province. Today, the University of Prince Edward Island held a public celebration to recognize that heroic effort.
“On the field, court, or rink, or in the pool; as a coach or fan; as a supporter or donor, heroes are all around us,” said Ron Annear, UPEI Athletics Director. “We're very fortunate to have so many of them here in Prince Edward Island—and at UPEI.”
He introduced the 20 “Corporate Heroes” who are partnering with the University in its pursuit of sports excellence. The businesses are supporting UPEI’s push to enhance teams, programs, and community outreach activities though a new initiative called the Heroes program.
UPEI’s Corporate Heroes are supporting much more than the University Athletics program, said Annear. Emphasizing his department’s vital role in developing leaders, and providing the resources to promote healthy and active lifestyles for all Island communities, he highlighted UPEI’s latest outreach efforts. These include providing complimentary season's passes to all PEI students in grades one to 12, and to all members of the PEI Newcomers’ Association. In addition, UPEI attracts more than 6,000 children, from across the Island, to its sports camps every year.
“Panther Sport leads AUS universities in community outreach, supporting a wide range of activities that raise thousands of dollars every year. They include the Tim Horton’s Food Drive, the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and much more,” he said.
UPEI is becoming recognized as a provincial and regional leader in sports facilities, events, fitness, and health and wellness, said Annear. This growing reputation for sports excellence attracts the Island’s best prospective student-athletes as well as elite student-athletes from out of province, and it adds to the success of the University’s recruitment efforts.
“UPEI, with its Panther Sports program, is fast becoming the destination of choice for student-athletes from across Canada to pursue excellence in academics and athletics. Our goal now is to further enhance the experience of students and all individuals who take part in our programs,” said Annear. “Thanks to the support of volunteers and corporate partners at every level of our PEI sports community, I am very optimistic that we can achieve that goal.”
More information about Panther Sport’s community outreach activities and the UPEI Heroes program is available by contacting Lynn Boudreau at 566-0991 or lboudreau@upei.ca.
