VICTORIA – A new and exciting format is coming to the Vikes Championship Breakfast this fall.

Instead of having one keynote speaker, there will be a panel of three alumni athletes speaking about their Uvic experiences. This panel will be led by local CHEK TV sports host Jeff King. Each of the panelists were selected to represent the programs that will be hosting National Championships here at home in the 2019-2020 season. They are Chris Hindmarch-Watson (swimming), Joann Malhotra (Nash - women's soccer) and Lindsey Bergen (Jennerich - rowing).

The Vikes Championship Breakfast is the largest fundraiser in support of UVic varsity student-athletes since its inaugural breakfast in 2008. Support is directed to athletic scholarships that allow the Vikes to continue pursuing national championship success and international recognition, with the ability to regularly recruit the best and brightest to UVic.

"Our Vikes Championship Breakfast has always been a great opportunity for our alumni and community to come together and support our Vikes student-athletes," said Clint Hamilton, Director of Vikes Athletics and Recreation. "This year, we are proud and excited to welcome three of our very accomplished alumni back to campus. They each have achieved a tremendous amount of success since graduating our program and they all are great ambassadors for our program."

While the Championship Breakfast wasn't established when these three athletes roamed campus, they all understand the significance and importance of an event such as this.

Hindmarch-Watson swam with the Vikes from 1997-2000. After his time in the pool ended, Hindmarch-Watson managed the Vikes swim team and started announcing the CIS Swimming Championships in 2002. Hooked on the gig, he eventually called eight more championships.

"I'm really excited to be part of this year's breakfast. When I swam and coached here, the breakfast wasn't around yet. I have supported the breakfast in the past, but I haven't been able to attend one as I live and work in Vancouver," said Hindmarch-Watson.

Hindmarch-Watson got his big break in 2006 when he announced the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Victoria. His voice and performance was noticed by USA Swimming and he later got the call to announce all major U.S. events that season. From there, Hindmarch-Watson's stock continued to rise and was highlighted by calling the swimming events during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"Uvic helped shape me and get me to where I am today. I am a proud alumni of the university and the swimming program, so I am excited to come back and share my story with the current athletes," said Hindmarch-Watson.

Since then, Hindmarch-Watson has continued to call events for Swimming Canada, USA Swimming and Japan Swimming, along with serving as the Canadian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association Executive Director.

The U SPORTS Swimming National Championships are slated for February 20-22 at the Saanich Commonwealth Pool.

Malhotra, who went by Joann Nash during her time on campus, was a star with the Vikes from 1998-2004.

After capturing their first Canada West championship in 1998, the Vikes went on to earn bronze during the 2000 CIS Championships, where she was named to the Championship All-Star team. The following year, she kicked off a three-year run where she was named a Canada West All-Star.

The women's U SPORTS Soccer National Championship runs Nov. 7 to 10 at Centennial Stadium.

Bergen, who went by Lindsay Jennerich when she was at UVic, rowed with the UVic women's rowing program from 2000-2006 and has developed into an international champion since graduating.

Competing in the lightweight double sculls category, Bergen was an alternate during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and raced alongside her partner Patricia Obee in the 2012 London Olympics, where they placed seventh and 2016 Rio Olympics, where they won the silver medal.

Bergan has also won gold during the 2010 FISA World Championships, along with earning silver in 2011 and 2014. In the FISA U23 circuit, she won gold in 2004 and 2002, and earned bronze in 2003.

This year, the Canadian University Rowing Championships are slated for November 2 and 3 at Elk Lake.

To date, the Championship Breakfast has raised over $5 million to support Vikes student-athletes. All proceeds from the Championship Breakfast are invested in the success of Vikes students, with 75 percent available immediately for student-athlete scholarships and 25 percent dedicated to building Vikes endowment funds. The University of Victoria generously provides $200,000 in matching funds each year, maximizing the impact of your donations. Join us at the Breakfast to connect with fellow supporters, alumni, and students, or lend your support financially to give back to our student athletes!

You are what sets Vikes apart. We hope you will consider donating to support our student-athletes and their success in the classroom and in competition! 

The Vikes would like to thank their event sponsors: Tropicana, a division of PepsiCo North America, Rouge Campus, Team Sales Vancouver Island and the Royal Bank of Canada for their support of our Breakfast.

For more information or to donate, please visit the Championship Breakfast website or contact the Vikes Alumni and Annual Giving Officer Annie Taal by phone, 1-250-472-4642, or email vikesalumni@uvic.ca.