Athletes competing at the highest level need exceptional commitment to excel in their chosen sport. For student-athletes, who have to balance the demands of athletic and academic success, the financial realities of pursuing their dreams can be a distraction.

Speaking at the annual President’s Golf Classic, Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg acknowledged the important role financial support plays in allowing student-athletes to maintain their focus.

“For many student-athletes, balancing academics, training and competition leaves little opportunity for part-time work,” she said to a room of supporters at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club. “When we invest in our student-athletes, we give them the opportunity to make the most of both their education and their time as a Badger.”

The Aug. 31 event raised more than $150,000 in support of student-athlete financial awards that Riggs said will make a real difference, easing some of the financial pressures faced by student-athletes.

Mackenna Knox said the Athletic Financial Award (AFA) support she has received as a member of the Brock women’s volleyball team has meant so much to her.  High-level sport, she said, comes with a lot of financial stressors, such as travel, food and managing living expenses.

“Those are all stressors that can add on to what we already have to deal with from the stress within our sport,” said the fifth-year concurrent teacher education student. “Getting financial help to alleviate that is huge. Getting it from our Brock community is just such a big benefit.”

Alex Blanchard, a Modern Languages student-athlete on Brock’s men’s hockey team, echoed that sentiment. Between practices, games and study, balancing his commitments with a part-time job would be extremely challenging.

“Having access to AFA support allows us to focus our time and energy on performing at our best both in the classroom and on the field of play,” he said. “I am incredibly thankful and appreciative to be a student-athlete fortunate enough to receive support.”

Founded more than 20 years ago by former Brock President David Atkinson and former Brock Board of Trustees Chair David Howes, the golf event has seen more than $1.5 million in proceeds go to scholarships and financial support for student-athletes.

“Brock is fortunate to be part of a community that understands the value of university sport and the opportunities it creates for students,” said Rigg.

For this year’s event, longtime event supporter Rankin Construction returned as title sponsor. Aramark was the cart sponsor, Pepsi was tournament sponsor and Enbridge and Blackstone Energy Services were the lunch and lounge sponsors. Hole sponsors included Whiting Equipment Canada, Aviva Investors, Mawer Investment Management, Mercer, PH&N Institutional, Manulife, TD Insurance, Commercial Cleaning Services and architects Tillman Ruth Robison.