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.<\/p>\n
Girard received the Brock University Alumni Association\u2019s 2025 David S. Betzner Award on Sept. 21\u00a0during Homecoming in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Brock and the sport of fencing.<\/p>\n
From the moment she stepped on campus in 1972 as an undergraduate student and varsity athlete, Girard\u2019s connection to the University and its fencing program flourished.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved Brock from the very beginning, and I grew as the university grew,\u201d she said. \u201cBrock\u2019s pretty important \u2014 it\u2019s the platform where I got my start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Girard represented Brock at the provincial and national levels, earning numerous medals. But her legacy extends far beyond the podium.<\/p>\n
After graduating, she continued to shape the University\u2019s fencing program as coach and mentor, inspiring many of her athletes to become coaches themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrock 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 \u2014 one of whom is the assistant coach here now. It became such an important part of my life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In 1985, she made history by leading Brock\u2019s women\u2019s fencing team to an Ontario Women\u2019s Interuniversity Athletic Association (OWIAA), now Ontario University Athletics, championship. She was Brock\u2019s first female coach to do so, securing the University\u2019s second banner at the time.<\/p>\n
As one of the few female coaches in OWIAA, Girard helped pave the way for future generations of women in sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cKatherine Girard\u2019s legacy is not only etched in banners and medals, but in the lives, she\u2019s touched,\u201d said BUAA President Chris Yendt (BA\u201915, BEd\u2019 15, BEd \u201920, MEd \u201921). \u201cHer commitment to Brock and to sport is truly exceptional.\u201d<\/p>\n