For more than 50 years, Katherine Girard (BA ’75, BEd ’76) has helped to advance women in sport, first as an athlete herself and later as a trailblazing coach.

Girard received the Brock University Alumni Association’s 2025 David S. Betzner Award on Sept. 21 during Homecoming in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Brock and the sport of fencing.

From the moment she stepped on campus in 1972 as an undergraduate student and varsity athlete, Girard’s connection to the University and its fencing program flourished.

“I loved Brock from the very beginning, and I grew as the university grew,” she said. “Brock’s pretty important — it’s the platform where I got my start.”

Girard represented Brock at the provincial and national levels, earning numerous medals. But her legacy extends far beyond the podium.

After graduating, she continued to shape the University’s fencing program as coach and mentor, inspiring many of her athletes to become coaches themselves.

“Brock became a real part of my life because I was coming here three to four times a week. I was training, and then I was training others. I was raising a family, and they came along with me. I am so proud to say that both of my sons went into fencing — one of whom is the assistant coach here now. It became such an important part of my life,” she said.

In 1985, she made history by leading Brock’s women’s fencing team to an Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association (OWIAA), now Ontario University Athletics, championship. She was Brock’s first female coach to do so, securing the University’s second banner at the time.

As one of the few female coaches in OWIAA, Girard helped pave the way for future generations of women in sport.

“Katherine Girard’s legacy is not only etched in banners and medals, but in the lives, she’s touched,” said BUAA President Chris Yendt (BA’15, BEd’ 15, BEd ’20, MEd ’21). “Her commitment to Brock and to sport is truly exceptional.”

Nominations for the 2026 BUAA awards are now open. To learn more about these awards and submit a nomination, visit the Alumni Relations website.