The University of Victoria, Department of Athletics and Recreation, is pleased to announce Tion McLeish, Katie Bentley and Grant Barkway as the recipients of the 2023 Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (GVSHOF) awards, established to support local varsity student-athletes attending UVic.

Tion McLeish, a first-year men's cross-country and track athlete is the 13th winner of the Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award.

A graduate of St. Michael's University School, McLeish is studying humanities with plans to enter the business program next year. Growing up in Victoria, McLeish has been involved with the UVic community coaching Vikes track and field camps since high school. Bringing home a Canada West All-Star award in his rookie season, McLeish helped the Vikes men's cross-country team to a tenth-place finish at the 2022 U SPORTS Championship.

"Tion is an excellent student-athlete who can balance a high level in his academics and athletics. His hard work and dedication are evident in daily training and competitions, as well as through his organization and communication with our coaches and teammates. Off the track, he has been active in our youth programs for several years as a coach in our Vikes summer camps," said Hilary Stellingwerff, Vikes cross country and track head coach. 

Katie Bentley, a first-year women's field hockey player, is the recipient of the third annual Sybil Verch Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award.

Graduating from Oak Bay High School in 2022, Bentley is another local Victoria product who exemplifies excellence in all facets of her life. An engineering student, Bentley aspires to positively impact climate change and create designs for a more sustainable future. In her first season with the Vikes, Bentley helped the women's field hockey team win its fourth consecutive U SPORTS National Championship. 

"Katie is a naturally gifted athlete, and her field hockey talent and commitment to pursuing excellence have not gone unnoticed. This past summer, Katie helped lead her Field Hockey BC U18 provincial team to a silver medal at the U18 National Championship. Katie followed up her provincial team performance by earning a spot on the University of Victoria's women's field hockey team," said Krista Thompson, Vikes women's field hockey head coach.

Grant Barkway, a first-year men's rower, is the winner of the second annual Simon Keith Foundation Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award.

At just 16 years old, Barkway enroled at UVic after graduating early from the Maria Montessori Academy of Victoria. Now, the youngest member of the UVic men's rowing team has his eyes set on making the Canadian National Junior Rowing Team and representing Canada at the 2024 World Rowing Championships. 

Barkway is completing a double major in math and computer science with hopes of one day becoming a software engineer in the rapidly advancing field of machine learning.

"Grant has moved into our program seamlessly, works hard, and holds his own while training against athletes who are three or four years older than him. His maturity and discipline are a testimony to the work his previous coaches and teachers have put into him. We look forward to watching Grant thrive as he continues to pursue higher education," Aalbert Van Schothorst, Vikes men's rowing head coach.

The partnership with the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and the generosity of the donors who established these three awards make it possible to support current varsity student-athletes and attract future leaders to UVic's athletics programs.

Sybil Verch Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award:
Awarded to an undergraduate woman student entering UVic from a secondary school in the Greater Victoria region who competes on a Vikes varsity team.

Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award:
Awarded to an undergraduate student entering the University of Victoria directly from a secondary school in the Greater Victoria region who competes on a Vikes varsity team.

Simon Keith Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award:
Awarded to an undergraduate student whose life has been directly impacted by organ donation entering the University of Victoria directly from secondary school in the Greater Victoria region who competes are a Vikes varsity team. This is the award's inaugural year.

Eligible students are required to submit an application by the specified date to the Senior Director of Athletics & Recreation. Award recipients must meet all U SPORTS and/or NAIA eligibility requirements and are selected on the basis of work ethic, commitment and performance criteria.

Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame award winners – past recipients:

2021-22: Marina Skakun, women's rugby, Charisse Faubert, women's rowing, Brooke Taylor, women's basketball
2020-21: Jack DesBrisay, men's rowing & Mareya Valeva, women's swimming
2019-20: Janet Dawson, field hockey, Mount Douglas Secondary
2018-19: Lockie Kratz, rugby, Oak Bay Secondary
2017-18: Shaye Tudor, rugby, Claremont Secondary
2016-17: Brayden Tate, rugby, Oak Bay High
2015-16: Harbir Sidhu, field hockey, Mount Douglas Secondary
2014-15: Michael Baart, soccer, St. Michaels University School
2013-14: Stephanie Polomark, rowing, Belmont Senior Secondary
2012-13: Sarah Douglas, soccer, Glenlyon Norfolk School
2011-12: Patrick Psotka, track, Oak Bay High
2010-11: Julia Schmidt: swimming, Lambrick Park Secondary