VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Department of Athletics and Recreation is saddened to hear about the passing of men's rowing alumnus and UVic Sports Hall-of-Famer Kevin Neufeld, who passed away Feb. 26 in Victoria at age 61 after a brief battle with cancer.
 
"Kevin was an accomplished Olympian and member of our UVic Sports Hall of Fame. He was an incredible individual, extremely genuine and humble and always willing to lend support and help in his unassuming way. Our hearts go out to his family- wife Connie and sons Matthew, Kai and Travis during this difficult time," said Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation, Clint Hamilton.
 
Neufeld started his rowing career at West Park Secondary School in St. Catharines, Ontario and transitioned into competing for the St. Catharine's Rowing Club where he found success in the junior and senior ranks.
 
In the summer of 1982, the St. Catherine's product was selected to the national team under legendary coach Al Morrow as part of a coxed four alongside three UVic rowers and a coxswain. Neufeld travelled out West to train with the crew at Elk Lake. That summer must have impacted the already successful young rower as he returned to Victoria in the fall to enrol at UVic and make his debut in a Vikes uniform.
 
"Coming from St. Catharines, a city with outstanding amenities, Kevin thought we were pulling his leg when we walked him through the forest at Elk Lake to our boathouse that was nothing more than a plywood shack. It speaks to his character—it wasn't about the facilities or the equipment, it was about the people and the coaches. He thrived in our humble environment and there was a real bond," said Grant Main, former Vikes and Olympic rowing teammate.
 
"Kevin was part of the early legacy and a cornerstone of building the success of the Vikes program throughout the 80s," he continued.
 
Neufeld had a distinguished university career, rowing for the Vikes from 1982 to 1988, part of a rowing dynasty at that time, dominating local and national stages. Kevin was a two-time recipient of the prestigious President's Cup while at UVic —awarded annually to the outstanding student-athlete in their fourth and fifth year who best combines scholastic and athletic achievement. His 1983 eight's crew was inducted into the UVIC Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
 
With success at UVic came international attention for the 1983 varsity eight, who acted as harbingers of the Vikes' Olympic rowing tradition. All eight boat members represented Canada at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where three from that crew, including Neufeld, were part of the Canadian eight that won a gold medal beating the United States by 0.4 seconds.
 
Racing as members of the Vikes, the eight won the Canadian University Championship and were undefeated in local regattas. They also placed second at the esteemed San Diego crew classic.
 
"Kevin is an integral part of the Vikes legacy. The stories about Kevin are that of a polished athlete and rower who seamlessly integrated into the rowing program capitalizing on his athletic abilities," said Aalbert Van Schothorst, men's rowing head coach. "Kevin had strong ties to the University of Victoria, and his legacy will live on through the current athletes in all of our programs."

Neufeld retired from competitive rowing after the 1988 Olympic Games, graduating from UVic that same year with a degree in human performance.
 
He was also inducted, along with the rest of his gold medal-winning crew, into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame (1985), the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame (2019), and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (2003), in addition to an individual selection for the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame (2011) and the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (2009).
 
The Neufeld family is planning a celebration of life for mid-May in Victoria, B.C. The final date, time and location will be confirmed in the coming weeks. In addition, friends anticipate establishing a GoFundMe account for donations to support the twins Kai and Travis and their continuing special needs.