VICTORIA – University of Victoria men's soccer alumnus Simon Keith, one of the longest living organ transplant recipients in history, has established the Simon Keith Foundation Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame award to provide financial support to student-athletes whose life has been directly impacted by organ donation.

In partnership with the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (GVSHOF), the new $3000 award will provide one or more awards annually to a varsity student-athlete who has received, made, or been directly affected by an organ donation.

"This award is really about creating awareness and making an impact on the Victoria community that has always been home for me and holds a piece of my heart. Our foundation is dedicated to increasing organ donor awareness and supporting and educating transplant recipients, and this new award will help continue that legacy," said Keith.  

The Mount Douglas Secondary School product played for the Vikes men's soccer program in 1984 and '85 before becoming gravely ill and undergoing a life-saving heart transplant at just 21 years old. A world-class soccer player prior to the operation, Keith was determined to return to "his normal."

Remarkably, Keith resumed his soccer career at the University of Las Vegas, garnering many honours, including being named Student-Athlete of Year for the conference and being voted as the USA's Most Courageous Athlete. After his senior season, Keith was drafted first overall into the Major Indoor Soccer League, becoming the first-ever athlete in the world to play a professional sport after undergoing a heart transplant.

"We're grateful for Simon's contribution to our varsity athletics program through this tremendous expression of support. Simon has an extraordinary story and, through his work, continues to positively influence everyone he comes in contact with, said Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation, Clint Hamilton.

"This award will not only help shine a light on the importance of organ donation, but it will significantly impact the lives of many Vikes student-athletes for years to come."

Keith belongs to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2015 was named Canada's Humanitarian of the Year. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife Kelly and three children, Sarah, Samantha and Sean.

The Simon Keith award will be given out annually in January, along with two other athletic awards initiated by GVSGOF—the Bate Family Award and the Sybil Verch Award.

Over the course of its history, the GVSHOF has evolved into a sustainable community institution with a permanent exhibition area that not only celebrates the achievements of past and present athletes but also promotes the role of athletics in the University of Victoria community.

Learn more about the Simon Keith Foundation

About the award