The Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (GVSHoF) announced a new Executive and the appointment of two new board members. Dr. Nick Clarke (he/him) joined on March 10, while Ali Baggott (she/her) joined on April 14, 2022.

Both work at the University of Victoria (UVic) with Clarke heading up Vikes Athletics and Recreation as the Varsity Performance Sport Director, while Baggott manages the digital media team in University Communications and Marketing.

“The GVSHoF Board will be enhanced by the addition of these two skilled individuals, from the greater Victoria community,” said Doug Jennings, President of GVSHoF.

Clarke , who takes over a seat from former Vikes senior athletics director Clint Hamilton, was appointed director, varsity performance sport with the Vikes in August 2020. Hailing from Tamworth, England, Clarke has a sport and exercise science degree and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Bath, where he also played four years of rugby. He later pursued his Master of Science (Kinesiology) and PhD (Sport Science) from the University of Saskatchewan where he competed in varsity soccer and track and field. Clarke has held sport science and strength and conditioning roles with Rowing Canada in the lead up to the 2016 Olympic Games, Canada Soccer and the Vikes varsity program.

In addition, Clarke was an adjunct assistant professor with the school of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education (EPHE) at UVic. Clarke is also an active member of the Performance Advisory Council with Own the Podium. 

Also a UVic affiliate, Baggott joins the board in replacement of communications director Louise Hodgson-Jones. Baggott has worked in university communications and marketing since 2019 overseeing social media and digital media communications for the department. Prior to that Baggott led the communications and sports information office for the Vikes for eight seasons. Baggott’s communications experience has taken her to cover many events including the 2010 Olympic Games, 2015 and 2019 Pan American Games, the 2019 FISU World Universiade Games and the 2014 FIH Field Hockey World Cup.

Baggott holds a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) and Master of Education (Coaching Studies) from UVic and was a varsity athlete and former U SPORTS player of the year. Baggott represented Canada’s women’s national indoor and outdoor field hockey teams for eight years and competed in the XIX Commonwealth Games. Baggott also coaches and umpires at a national level and is heavily involved in the men’s, women’s and junior field hockey leagues in Victoria.

Clarke and Baggott replace Clint Hamilton and Louise Hodgson-Jones, respectively, and will hold three-year terms, wrapping up in 2025.

The other board members are Doug Jennings (president), Robert Hope (past president), Fern Johnson (treasurer), Robert Bettauer, Nicholas Cuberbirch, Doug Henderson, Stacie Loutit, Lois Smith, Jim Swanson, Chris Graham, Gordon W. Redlin, Murray Smith, and Tom Turnbull.