The University of Winnipeg’s Wesmen Athletics program has received a generous $120,000 donation from former volleyball player Allan Edie, a contribution that will have a lasting impact on the teams both on and off the court. The donation was celebrated on Friday with a gathering of Wesmen athletes, staff, coaches, and community members, including second-year men’s volleyball player Luke Lodewyks.
Lodewyks expressed his gratitude, noting how the supportive environment at the University of Winnipeg has driven him to perform at his best, and added that this funding will inspire his teammates to strive for excellence. Similarly, second-year women’s basketball player Jazmin Birch described being part of the Wesmen program as an experience that has shaped her into not just a better athlete, but a leader and individual.
The donation, made by Edie, founder of Edie and Associates, a real estate development and leasing company, will support new uniforms for the volleyball and basketball teams. Edie, a two-time champion with the University of Manitoba’s Bisons volleyball team from 1976-1981, shared how sports gave him the confidence to excel in business and how giving back to the next generation of athletes has been important to him.
Edie hopes his donation will serve as a catalyst, inspiring others, including alumni, to invest in the future of the program. He called on the community to come together to ensure the longevity of the Wesmen athletics, particularly in light of the financial challenges university sports often face. He also advocated for full scholarship funding for athletes, similar to some other universities, to help sustain the program.
The bulk of the $120,000 will be allocated to support the Wesmen program as directed by the coaches, with a portion earmarked for the much-needed new uniforms. Cara Isaak, the director of athletics, expressed her appreciation for Edie’s long-term commitment to the Wesmen, highlighting the importance of the community, academic success, and character-building in the program.
Source: Swifteradio.com
