Julia Schmidt named winner of Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports

Original Story by Andy Watson

VICTORIA, B.C. - The Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (GVSHOF) and The University of Victoria Department of Athletics and Recreation are pleased to announce the establishment of a new athletic financial award, The Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award, given in its first year to Vikes rookie swimmer Julia Schmidt.

David Bate, whose family has created the generous award, said he remembered leaving Victoria to attend McGill on a full scholarship and left with a belief that he needed to leave town to get a great student and educational experience.

"A year later I was back and spent the next eight years at the University of Victoria getting a world-class education, while living in one of the best communities in the world," Bate said from South Africa where he is currently working as an investment banker. "The University of Victoria is an important part of our community. Athletics is an important part of our community. Kids graduating from Victoria-area high schools shouldn’t have to move away from home to obtain an education and advance their athletic ambitions."

Bate said he believes it is important to support his alma mater.

"Other universities have more money. The University of Victoria needs the financial firepower and community platform to attract local athletes to its teams," Bate said. "Hopefully this award marks the beginning of a greater opportunity for local kids to get a world-class education while playing on varsity teams at UVic. And, hopefully, their contributions help these teams perform well and enhance Victoria’s long legacy of athletic achievements that continues to make Victoria one of the best communities to live in, in the world."

"The GVSHOF is grateful to David Bate and the University of Victoria for establishing the award, which is to be presented annually to a highly achieving student from Victoria who has been accepted into the Vikes athletics program," said Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame president Nick Tuele. "The award is a significant undertaking for the GVSHOF in its efforts to raise its profile in the community and to encourage young athletes to aspire to the highest levels of accomplishment in their chosen sport. The GVSHOF honours the most outstanding athletes at the end of their careers (by inducting them) into the Hall of Fame, but we also encourage the next generation of individuals who may one day be honoured for bringing distinction to themselves, their sport, their community and their country."

"Julia is an 'A' student and an accomplished athlete, and we are confident that her academic and athletic commitment will continue to be rewarded with great success," Tuele said. "The GVSHOF is pleased to be able to assist Julia on her career path."

Schmidt, a graduate of Lambrick Park Secondary, was recently selected from a number of candidates to become the first athlete to receive the award. The Vikes swimmer and sciences student recently competed at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships with the Vikes in Calgary.

"I am very appreciative to the Bates family for this award, it greatly assists me towards pursuing my goals academically and athletically while remaining close to home with the support of my family and friends," Schmidt said. "While training varsity six days a week sometimes two times a day and keeping up with my studies, it is difficult to find time to work so this award is greatly appreciated."