Athletics and Recreation Vancouver

Thunderbird student athletes have long been a source of pride for the University of British Columbia, combining unmatched academic and athletic excellence to produce some our community’s finest citizens. UBC has now won 90 championships in CIS competition, the most of any school in Canada, thanks in part to your support of the Thunderbird programs.

Success in the classroom and in competition requires the support of the entire UBC community. In 2013, UBC had 138 Academic All-Canadians – those student-athletes who achieved more than an 80% average in a full course load while being a member of varsity team – one of the highest number of Academic All-Canadians in the country.

Find a Fund:

Priority Funds

Bob Hindmarch Award
Blue and Gold Women’s Varsity Endowment Award

Department Priority Funds

Baseball +

The Starting 9 - Baseball
T-Bird Baseball Fund
Thunderbird Baseball Award Endowment

Basketball (Men's) +

T-Bird Men's Basketball Fund
T-Bird Men's Basketball Award Fund
Bird Backer - Men's Basketball

Basketball (Women's) +

6th Woman - UBC Women's Basketball
T-Bird Women's Basketball Award Fund
T-Bird Women's Basketball Fund

Field Hockey (Men's) +

Bird Backer - Men's Field Hockey
T-Bird M Field Hockey Award Fund
T-Bird Men's Field Hockey Fund

Field Hockey (Women's) +

Women's Field Hockey Short Corner Club
T-Bird Women's Field Hockey Award Fund
T-Bird Women's Field Hockey Endowment

Football +

UBC Football Champions Fund for Athlete Excellence
Bird Backer - Football
Frank and Casey Smith Football Endowment Fund

Golf +

Bird Backer - Golf
T-Bird Golf Award Fund
Thunderbird Golf Society Endowment

Hockey (Men's) +

UBC Men's Hockey Power Play Fund
T-Bird Men's Hockey Award Fund
Father David Bauer Memorial Hockey Scholarship

Hockey (Women's) +

Bird Backer - Women's Hockey
T-Bird Women's Hockey Award
Old Birds Women's Ice Hockey Endowment

Rowing +

Power 10 Fund - Rowing
Rowing Alumni Scholarship
Frank Read Thunderbird Rowing Award

Rugby (Men's) +

Thunderbird Rugby Thunderrenewal Fund
Thunderbird Men's Rugby Award Fund
Thunderbird Men's Rugby Endowment

Rugby (Women's) +

T-Bird Women's Rugby Fund
Maria Gallo Women’s Rugby Award

Soccer (Men's) +

Bird Backer - Men's Soccer
T-Bird Men's Soccer Award Fund
Josef Molnar Memorial Men's Soccer Award

Soccer (Women's) +

Bird Backer - Women's Soccer
T-Bird Women's Soccer Award Fund

Softball +

T-Bird Softball Fund
T-Bird Softball Award Fund
Thunderbird Women’s Softball Award Endowment

Swimming +

Thunderbird Swimming Endowment
Thunderbird Swimming Award
Thunderbird Swimming Excellence Fund

Track & Field/Cross Country +

Bird Backer - Track and Field Cross Country
T-Bird Track & Field and Cross Country Award Fund
Thunderbird Track and Field Endowment

Volleyball (Men's) +

Bird Backer - Men's Volleyball
Men's Volleyball Legacy of Excellence Fund
Thunderbird Men's Volleyball Award

Volleyball (Women's) +

Bird Backer - Women's Volleyball
Sandy Silver Volleyball Award
Rick Hansen Difference Maker Award in Women's Volleyball

Recreation Priority Funds +

UBC Intramurals Fund
Nestor Korchinsky Recreation Award

Projects and Success Stories:

  • Special Appeals

    UBC Varsity Rugby

    UBC Rugby “Return to Excellence Campaign”

    The “UBC Rugby Return to Excellence Campaign” is a long-term strategy aiming to achieve and sustain the standards of excellence for which UBC rugby is historically known. more

    Community Engagement

  • Priority Project

    UBC Bird Backer program

    UBC Athletics ‘Bird Backer

    The ‘Bird Backer program is an avenue for alumni, friends, family and the greater community to be part of our Thunderbird team. more

    Student Learning

  • Special Appeals

    6th Woman UBC Women’s Basketball

    6th Woman UBC Women’s Basketball

    The UBC Women’s Basketball program is one of the most storied and successful programs in Canada. The 6th Woman UBC Women’s Basketball Monthly Giving Club is an avenue for alumni, more

    Community Engagement

  • Priority Project

    Peter Mullins Memorial

    Peter Mullins Memorial

    This award honours Peter Mullins, UBC’s longest serving basketball coach. His teams won seven Canada West championships and two Canadian championships – in 1970 and 1972. more

    Student Learning

  • Priority Project

    Frank Gnup Memorial Football Award

    Frank Gnup Memorial Football Award

    In 2009 members of the 1959 Thunderbird football team hosted a 50th anniversary reunion at the Homecoming football game in Thunderbird Stadium. The event was a great success reconnecting friends more

    Student Learning

Contact Us

Point Grey Campus:

Sarah Barclay
Director of Development
Tel: 604.822.9959
Email: sarah.barclay@ubc.ca

Gareth Bowley
Program Manager
Tel: 604.822.1972
Email: gareth.bowley@ubc.ca

Brigitte Scholte
Development Coordinator
Tel: 604.822.6183
Email: brigitte.scholte@ubc.ca

Gareth Saunders
Development Coordinator
Tel: 604.827.2490
Email: gareth.saunders@ubc.ca

RSS University of British Columbia

  • Tess Woldring and Rori Wood win major Canada West awards October 21, 2018
    Two UBC Thunderbirds women's rugby players were recognized by the Canada West with major individual awards, as the conference unveiled the full list of winners Sunday, following the league championship game in Edmonton.
  • UBC season ends with 1-0 win over Calgary; four T-Birds named Canada West All-Stars October 21, 2018
    The UBC Thunderbirds capped off their season with a 1-0 victory over the Calgary Dinos Sunday at Wright Field, but the single goal wasn't enough to propel the 'Birds to the national championship series to defend their seven straight U SPORTS titles.
  • UBC wins Canada West bronze October 21, 2018
    Controlling the ball and pace of play for the entire match, the UBC Thunderbirds cruised to a 27-5 win over the host Alberta Pandas in the third-place match of the 2018 Canada West Women's Rugby Championship Sunday afternoon.
  • ‘Birds raise banner but fall to Bears October 20, 2018
    VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds dropped their second game of the season to the University of Alberta Golden Bears 3-1 (19-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-20) on a special night that saw a strong contingent of Thunderbird alumni watch the 2018 U SPORTS national championship banner raised in War Memorial Gym.
  • ‘Birds drop second straight in Calgary October 20, 2018
    CALGARY – The UBC Thunderbirds suffered their second straight loss to the Calgary Dinos Saturday afternoon by way of an 8-2 decision at Father David Bauer Arena.