After more than four decades of shaping and enriching the recreational landscape at Brock University, Karen McAllister-Kenny (MEd ’97) is preparing for her next adventure: retirement.

Her journey from coaching the Badgers women’s volleyball team to revolutionizing campus programs as Director of Recreation will be honoured at a special celebration on Tuesday, May 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Ian Beddis Gymnasium Court 1.

Reflecting on her time at Brock fills McAllister-Kenny with gratitude and pride.

“I have been fortunate to be a part of developing programs and facilities to provide active opportunities for Brock students and the community,” she said. “It’s been a privilege to work with such dedicated students and colleagues, and to see the positive impact that recreation and athletics has on our community. Retirement will lead to new opportunities and adventures, but you will continue to see me in the stands cheering on the Badgers.”

McAllister-Kenny joined Brock in 1983 after she graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology.

She was first hired by the late Bob Davis to coach the Badgers women’s volleyball team. The Badgers secured provincial bronze medals under McAllister-Kenny’s leadership, and she was honoured as the Ontario Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics Association Coach of the Year in 1989.

Karen McAllister-Kenny (MEd ’97) on the track above the Ian Beddis Gymnasium during a major expansion of the Walker Sports Complex in 2002.

As Director of Recreation, McAllister-Kenny expanded programs and fostered an inclusive environment, making recreation a key part of the Brock experience. She oversaw significant growth in all programs, including intramurals, aquatics and youth programs.

It was always important to her that Brock students were involved in leading and teaching programs, supervising and maintaining safe facilities for their fellow students to be active  and providing great customer service to all who use the Walker Sports Complex.

“Brock University is amazing, but Karen elevated the workplace and made it such a great place to work,” said recently retired Aquatic Programs Co-ordinator Margie Lizzotti, who worked for McAllister-Kenny for more than 30 years.

“She is fantastic and was our pillar in Recreation,” Lizotti said.”During the pandemic, she was our leader and was on top of everything. At the end of the day, Karen is there for you and your family. She is family. An amazing and wonderful human being.”

Her success as a coach and administrator earned her a place in the Brock Athletics Hall of Fame as a Builder in 2003. McAllister-Kenny, who completed a Master of Education at Brock, and her husband Joe received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Brock University Alumni Association in 2018.

Her distinguished career was recently highlighted with the Marilou Iusi Memorial Service Award at the Brock Badgers Awards Gala, a testament to her tireless dedication to Brock Sports and Recreation and the positive impact she has made on countless student-athletes and colleagues.

McAllister-Kenny’s positive influence can be seen in the life and career of Jen Currie (BPhEd ’93, BEd ’03, MEd ’06), a former student-athlete and colleague.

The pair first met in the late 1980s when Currie’s high school volleyball team from Midland competed in a tournament at Brock.

“Karen expressed an interest in me playing for Brock. It changed my life. I moved to Niagara to attend Brock and never looked back,” Currie said. “Karen was knowledgeable, organized and kind. She understood and taught the concept of the big picture: life beyond varsity athletics.”

Currie graduated from Brock and is now the principal of Forestview Public School in Niagara Falls.

“Karen was my champion,” she said. “I would dare to say that there are 40 years of Brock students that may say the same. Her retirement marks the end of an era, but the values and programs she championed will endure.”