The Vikes Championship Breakfast (VCB) is an annual fundraising event with all proceeds going directly towards student-athlete scholarships. It's the Vikes most significant fundraiser of the year, raising over $7 million to date.

It's athletes like Ashlyn Day and her teammates on the women's basketball team that benefit from the money raised at the VCB.

Originally from Kelowna, B.C., Day is in her fifth and final year of eligibility with the Vikes, studying public administration. In 2021-22, Day led the women's basketball team with an incredible 19.9 points per game, setting the Canada West scoring record with 42 points against UBC. With a 38% three-point average, Day earned Canada West First Team All-Star recognition. 

Q&A with Ashlyn Day 

How long have you been playing basketball, and how did you get started? 
I started playing basketball 15-ish years ago, and at the time, I played multiple different sports, but it wasn't until Grade 9 that I decided I wanted to play basketball at a higher level. From there, I started playing more competitively and focused seriously on basketball while still playing other sports on the side.

In an ideal world, what do you hope to do after your time at UVic? 
After finishing my time at UVic, I hope to find a career in a business-related field, and hopefully something that relates to sports. I will complete the Public Administration Diploma this year, so I will ideally find work in a local recreation center and possibly a management role.

What's the worst job you've ever had? 
The worst job I've ever had was during my first summer of university when I worked at B.C. Tree Fruits in the cherry-packing industry. I had to stand for hours, watch a conveyer belt full of cherries, and then pick out any cherries that had deformations or cuts. After hours of watching thousands of red cherries pass by, it can become quite boring and repetitive. My day also started at 7:00 a.m., and I had to work in cold rooms for the entire Day.

What's your fondest sports memory?
My fondest sports memories come from playing home games at CARSA and having so many young kids cheering for us; most of them have participated in our Vikes Nation Club or basketball summer camps. The fan's support shows how much people enjoy watching our team compete and how invested the community is in seeing our success.

What's the most important lesson in life that sport has taught you? 
The most important things basketball has taught me are leadership and resiliency. In a sport that relies heavily on communication and trust, having the ability to lead has set me up for success. I have used my leadership skills, developed through sport, to help me in my academics, social life, and workplace. In terms of resiliency, basketball has shown me the importance of returning from failure and using those lessons as stepping stones. Adapting to change and continue towards a goal is a key aspect of resiliency and is something I believe I have learned throughout my time with the Vikes.

Who has been your most influential coach, and why? 
All three female head coaches I have had at UVic have impacted my life the most. Being led by strong, like-minded individuals who have a passion for giving us the necessary skills to set us up for our future while giving us the opportunity to play a sport we love is something that stands out the most to me. 

Their ultimate goal is to win a national banner, but I know that they succeed when we succeed as individuals. Instead of getting wrapped up in the wins and losses, these coaches have shown me the importance of growth outside of the basketball court and on the court. The university experience is about becoming a well-rounded individual, not just a great player, which all three of my head coaches have instilled in me.

What new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life in the last few years?
I would say the most impactful new behaviour that has improved my life in the past few years would have to be learning to say no. Throughout my first year in university, I always said yes, which packed my schedule with different activities that I may not have needed to participate in. Learning to say no helped me find time for myself and time I could use to get ahead, leading to more time for things I was excited about.

What has been the greatest challenge you've faced in university? 
The greatest challenge I faced in university was learning how to manage my time, especially in my first year. Moving to a new city and living on campus with ten rookies made it challenging to find time for myself and made me realize the importance of setting aside time to deload. It was also a new experience having to manage time to ensure I was getting in workouts, eating properly, getting to class, and getting readings done. 

Why did you choose UVic? 
I chose UVic because it was the perfect school that met not only my athletic desires but also allowed me to enrol myself in a highly accredited business school. Coming from a very small high school in Kelowna, UVic was also the ideal size in terms of the overall population. A bonus was that Victoria is such a beautiful city and the Vikes community is so invested in our team!