Dalhousie's Rebecca Haworth wins 2013 James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - At a special presentation during the 59th Annual Dalhousie University Black & Gold Athletic Banquet this evening, Atlantic University Sport announced that Dalhousie women's track and field athlete Rebecca Haworth is the 2013 recipient of the 27th annual James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award presented by PepsiCo Beverages Canada.

Marg Bayer, wife of the late James Bayer, and Mr. Phil Currie, executive director of Atlantic University Sport were on hand to make the presentation.

"There is no question that Rebecca is a student-athlete who exemplifies all the outstanding qualities that James Bayer lived his life by. This award embodies those principles and values," commented Currie, a member of the three-person selection committee. "Her commitment and dedication to excellence in the classroom, in the community and to her sport make her the ideal recipient of Atlantic University Sport's most prestigious award."

Haworth, a captain with the women's track and field team and co-president of the Dalhousie varsity council, excelled on and off the field in her third year at Dalhousie University.

The native of Waverly, N.S., claimed gold in the high jump at five different meets, including at the AUS championships and at the McGill Team Challenge in Montreal, where she prevailed with a leap of 1.73 metres, the seventh best performance in CIS this season. At the season-ending CIS championship in Alberta, she placed fourth with a jump of 1.70 metres.

A 4.06 GPA student in psychology, Haworth is an Academic all-Canadian and was the 2013 recipient of both the AUS and CIS women's track and field student-athlete community service awards. She also received the 2013 Dalhousie University Board of Governors' Award, which recognizes academic accomplishments and exceptional contributions to campus life and community service.

Rebecca is the founder of the Special Tigers Sports program, which provides opportunities for Special Olympians to spend a day playing sports with Dalhousie varsity athletes. She also volunteers with Dalhousie's Health Mentors and peer partners programs and is an assistant track and field coach at Halifax's Sacred Heart School. In previous years, she had been a volunteer at Halifax's Light the Night walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma, a meal assistance program volunteer for Capital Health, and the Dalhousie Varsity coordinator for Operation Christmas Child.

"Rebecca is an absolutely outstanding athlete, leader, and humanitarian," said Dalhousie head coach Rich Lehman. "Her tireless work ethic always amazes me. She is constantly on the go, but always manages to bring a high level of energy and intensity to practice and competition."

"Rebecca is an incredible role model not only for our student-athletes but also for all students," commented Karen Moore, Dalhousie's Director of Athletics. "She gives an incredible amount of her time to others and it is amazing how she manages to maintain her high academic standing despite her commitments to her sport and community. She is truly one of a kind and we are so fortunate to have her as part of the Dalhousie Tiger family."

Each year, the 11 AUS member schools nominate one student-athlete for this prestigious award. As this year's recipient, Rebecca receives a $1,000 scholarship.

Also nominated were Acadia's Tom Filgiano, Cape Breton's Jason Massie, Memorial's Grace Fishbein, Moncton's Véronique Carroll, Mount Allison's Danica Lundy, UNB's Melissa Foster, UPEI's Jordan Knox, StFX's Stephen Deering, Harry Ezenibe from Saint Mary's and Kayla Blackmore from St. Thomas University. Each of the nominees receive a $500 scholarship award.

The James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 1985 and is awarded annually to an outstanding student-athlete in Atlantic University Sport for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship.

James Bayer taught education and physical education at both high school and university levels. He served as supervisor and consultant for the Nova Scotia Department of Culture, Recreation and Fitness.

At Acadia University, he served as dean of recreation and physical education and as director of athletics from 1978-1985. As an administrator in the AUAA and the CIAU, he was a key player in the establishment of intercollegiate athletic policy.

This memorial scholarship is the most prestigious award offered annually by Atlantic University Sport.

Previous recipients the James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award:

1987 - Greg Berry, StFX University, Soccer; Caroline Lulham, Mount Allison University, Volleyball
1988 - Gunnhildur Baldursson, Acadia University, Soccer
1989 - Jackie Wong, Mount Allison University, Volleyball / Soccer
1990 - Augy Jones, St. Francis Xavier University, Basketball
1991 - Heather Morrison, University of Prince Edward Island, Field Hockey
1992 - Keith Donovan, Dalhousie University, Basketball
1993 - David Sykes, Saint Mary's University, Football
1994 - Kathy McNally, University of Prince Edward Island, Field Hockey
1995 - Scott Bagnell, Dalhousie University, Volleyball
1996 - Carla Edwards, Mount Allison University, Volleyball
1997 - Chris Diamond, University of Prince Edward Island, Soccer
1998 - Peter Benoite, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Basketball
1999 - Jan Trojanowski, Acadia University, Basketball
2000 - Kristen Lewis, Dalhousie University, Cross Country
2001 - Jillian MacDonald, Dalhousie University, Basketball
2002 - Louis Poirier, Université de Moncton, Track & Field
2003 - Dan Tudin, Dalhousie University, Hockey
2004 - Eric Gillis, St. Francis Xavier University, Cross Country
2005 - Adrienne Power, Dalhousie University, Track & Field
2006 - David Chant, Saint Mary's University, Hockey
2007 - Colin Sinclair, University of New Brunswick, Hockey
2008 - Katherine Quackenbush, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Basketball
2009 - Isabelle Miles, University of New Brunswick, Soccer
2010 - Alex Legge, Dalhousie University, Basketball
2011 - Jacob Kilpatrick, University of New Brunswick, Volleyball
2012 - Daniel You, Dalhousie University, Volleyball
2013 - Rebecca Haworth, Dalhousie University, Track & Field