VICTORIA – Hot on the heels of the 2022 FIH Hockey Women's World Cup, University of Victoria women's field hockey alumna Kathleen Leahy will make the keynote address at the 15th annual Vikes Championship Breakfast on Thursday, October 6, 2022.

A standout during her five-year career as a UVic student-athlete, the Oak Bay Secondary graduate, boasts a remarkable resume both on and off the field. An exceptional student-athlete and role model, Leahy received the prestigious President's Cup award in 2016—an award presented to a student-athlete who best combines scholastic achievement and athletic ability.

Now, an alumna of the women's field hockey program, Leahy returns to campus to give back to a group that gave so much to her.

"Being from Victoria, I always knew about the Breakfast, and my family supported it before I was an athlete. Then in my first few years, I got to help set up and gain an understanding of the sheer volume of people who support the athletes, which was super special to me," said Leahy. "In my later years, I got to serve breakfast, say thank you to the guests, and witness the recent graduates who came back to support the program. I could see myself in them and knew I wanted to give back to a program that gave so much to me—so it's cool to transition from student-athlete to supporter."

As a three-time All-Canadian during her time with the Vikes, Leahy helped lead the team to two Canada West titles and four U SPORTS podium finishes. She made her senior national team debut in 2013 and has since represented Canada internationally on the women's outdoor and indoor national teams.

In July 2022, Leahy participated in the FIH Women's World Cup after helping the Canadian women's side earn a birth for the first time since 1994, defeating the US 1-0 in the bronze medal game at the Pan American Cup.

With 76 outdoor and 15 indoor national team caps to her name, Leahy is undoubtedly one of Canada's best. With almost a decade representing Canada under her belt, what sets Leahy apart is not her athletic prowess or her tenacity on the field but her undeniable resiliency. 

A multi-sport athlete in high school, Leahy played soccer and field hockey at an elite level but ultimately decided to pursue field hockey. During her senior year, Leahy tore her ACL, forcing her onto the sidelines as a redshirt for her first year at UVic. Through hard work and determination, Leahy returned to the field the following season and went on to play all five years with the program, co-captaining her final two.

In her last season with the Vikes, the unthinkable happened, Leahy tore her other ACL just weeks before the U SPORTS National Championship. A devastating end to her university playing career but just another hurdle in her athletic career. Eighteen months after returning from her second ACL tear, she retore the same ACL—meaning Leahy would miss almost three years of competing in exchange for rehab. 

While most athletes would throw in the towel, Leahy refused to let her story end with an injury by making not one but three remarkable comebacks. 

"I never wanted an injury to be the reason I left the sport or anything for that matter. I had a huge amount of support from family and friends, as well as the Vikes program, including my coaches and the clinic."

"When I tore my ACL for the first time, Buzz [Lynne Beecroft] and Krista [Thompson] were the first to check up on me and offer their help, even when it meant I wouldn't get to play my first year. That really solidified to me that I chose the right program."

Since her time at UVic, Leahy has carved a successful career path on and off the field. Recently completing a Master of Kinesiology from UBC, Leahy hopes to pursue medicine and will begin applying to medical school this year.

Over the last fourteen years, the Vikes Championship Breakfast has raised nearly eight million dollars towards student-athlete scholarships with over $1.7 million being fully endowed from the proceeds. The support generated by the event helps with both recruitment and retention of athletes, allowing Vikes varsity athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level and excel in their studies.

All proceeds from the breakfast support student-athlete scholarships. Support can be directed to specific varsity programs or to the Vikes General Fund. The University of Victoria generously provides $250,000 in matching funds in support of Vikes student-athletes.

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