Howlers Rugby Award
The Dog River Howlers is an invitational rugby club founded by Karl Fix in early 2007 for the lovers of "our game." The Howlers are made up of players and supporters from all parts of Canada, as well as a few from other countries, who believe that "rugby is more than a game, but a way of life." The club tours to interesting parts of the world, plays rugby and enjoys unique cultural experiences, while also giving something back to that country's sport and/or people. The Howlers also raise funds and contribute to worthwhile endeavours which are not related to rugby. The Howlers use the game of rugby as a vehicle to build bridges between people around the world.
Tim Young is the General Manager of Young's Equipment Incorporated, a large agricultural equipment corporation based in Regina, SK. The Young family has a long history in both the agricultural industry and the agricultural equipment business. Tim is the father of Chris Young, a Vikes rugby alumnus and Academic All-Canadian. Tim's support for Vikes Rugby is founded in his son's history with the Vikes, and his desire to help student-athletes excel on the field and in the classroom.
Co-founder of this award, Mike Holmes has been a strong advocate and supporter of UVic Athletics and the Men's Rugby program since he attended UVic in the 1980s. He received his BA in Economics, and then entered the Faculty of Law. While at the university, Mike's leadership led to many initiatives that created legacies for the Men's Rugby program. In the 1980s, his fundraising efforts for men's rugby paid for many of the team's tours and his development of the Brian Williams Scholarship has attracted many excellent Student-Athletes to UVic over the past 20 years. He also recently created the Pemberton Holmes Entrance Scholarship in Law to encourage rugby players to enter the field of Law. He continues to be the biggest fundraiser for UVic Rugby and annually uses his business and alumni contacts to create new scholarships and give disadvantaged students the opportunity to come to UVic.
Mike is a past winner of the Publisher's Community Contributors Award, which recognizes someone in the community who contributes to the Vikes Athletic program. He was also recognized as one of fifty Alumni Who Made a Difference during the University's 50th Anniversary celebrations.
Mike's biggest contribution to UVic is his understanding of the importance of giving back and the development of opportunities for those students who are entering UVic for the first time. He has made an impact in this area and does so without any fanfare. He is very giving and his contributions of time and talent have taken the Vikes Rugby program to another level. The Vikes Rugby Challenge is an initiative that is designed to draw support from other alumni, supporters and fans of the game, and will increase the opportunities for current and future students immensely.