KAMLOOPS — Supporters of TRU Athletics were up bright and early on Thursday morning, backing student-athletes for the third annual Wolfpack Scholarship Breakfast.
The breakfast, held at TRU’s Grand Hall, saw hundreds of people pack in for some morning eats and to make a donation to TRU Athletics.
The Kamloops Blazers Sports Society presented a cheque for $25,000, to be matched by the university. Sports Chek, a major sponsor of the Kamloops Marathon, donated $40,000. The goal is $250,000, and the hope is to provide every student-athlete with some funding.
“It just allows them to not have to worry about a part-time job. It alleviates some of the stress around tuition and fees,” says TRU Athletic Director Ken Olynyk. “It makes it a little easier for their families, it makes it easier for them, and it gives them an opportunity to focus a little more on their academics, and then of course on their sport.”
For the student-athletes, scholarships are essential, and appreciated as they try to balance their sporting careers with school.
“When you are an athlete, you do not have the spare time to acquire a job, to pay those bills you have to pay, to pay your tuition,” says women’s volleyball player Morgan Kolasa. “So it’s really nice to have that extra funding, because it’s physically impossible to have a job during the school year with your travel schedule, your practice schedule, your training schedule. It is very beneficial.”
The guest speaker this morning was Dr. Bob Lenarduzzi, back in Kamloops after receiving his honourary degree in June.
