One of the most accomplished, opinionated and prominent personalities in professional hockey is the featured speaker for the 2014 Pronghorns Scholarship Breakfast, to be hosted by Pronghorn Athletics on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gym.
Brian Burke, President of Hockey Operations for the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames, will be welcomed to campus for the third annual athletic scholarship fundraising event.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring in a speaker of Brian Burke’s stature,” says Robb Engen, manager of Business Development, Sport and Recreation Services. “Brian is well known for being outspoken and one of the sport’s biggest off-ice personalities but he’s also an astute businessman, environmentalist and humanitarian. I think his message is perfect for our audience and one that will resonate long after the event.”
Burke has spent time with professional hockey organizations in Hartford, Vancouver, Anaheim, Toronto and now Calgary over the last 20-plus years.
Well respected in the hockey community. Burke’s teams have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs seven times since 2000-2001. As executive vice-president and general manager of the Anaheim Ducks, Burke guided the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup win in 2007. He was appointed to the Hockey Hall of Fame’s selection committee and is an original member of the US Men’s National Team Advisory group. In 2008, he received the Lester Patrick Award for his outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
Outside the rink, Burke is well known for his community involvement. He is a vocal activist against homophobia in sports, and a strong supporter of first response personnel and military service members.
The Pronghorns Scholarship Breakfast was launched in 2012 during the University’s 45th anniversary, and raises money for U of L student athletes now and into the future. Its goal is to continue to provide essential funding as the Horns build and maintain a competitive athletic program.
The inaugural breakfast featured CBC Sports personality Brian Williams as the featured speaker, while last year’s event invited Olympic gold medallist Mark Tewksbury and hall fame swim coach Debbie Muir to campus.
“This event provides a great opportunity for our program to connect with the broader community,” says Engen. “In addition, the scholarship funding achieved through this event is critical to our success as it helps our teams both in terms of recruiting and in supporting our student athletes as they balance their academics with their sport.”
Tickets for the 2014 Pronghorns Scholarship Breakfast (Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness Gymnasium, 7 to 9 a.m.) are priced at $125 each or $1,000 for a table of 10. To register for the breakfast, visit uleth.universitytickets.com.