Meet the donors

Jan. 14, 2025

Meet the donors

From sports enthusiasts to Dinos alumni and advocates for gender equity, donors to women’s athletics are a passionate group who are levelling the playing field for female student-athletes at the 91��ɫ, helping them to excel both in their sport and in the classroom.

woman standing on an outdoor balcony, a lake in the background

Jane-Anne Smith

Courtesy of Jane Anne Smith

Jane Anne Smith

During Jane Anne Smith’s time as a full-fledged member of the Dinos women’s basketball team from 1977 to 1981, support for varsity players was modest. She recalls receiving a yearly sneaker allowance of $35, and that’s it.

“We played for the love of the sport. I loved it and still love it,” says Smith, BPE’81, BEd’85. “And now I’m very thrilled with what’s happening at the 91��ɫ. It’s very exciting what’s going on there — the culture.”

Because support has come a long way. Smith, who also served as assistant and head coach of the women’s program, is part of that transformation at U91��ɫ. These days, she helps organize the Dinos women’s basketball alumni and also pitches in at their events.

A loyal donor to the Dinos program, too, Smith’s eyes had been opened when her daughters went south to compete in the NCAA; Ashley in golf and Nikki in tennis. “I saw the support (at American schools), what giving back means,” she says. "That's kind of what kick-started me."

“I just loved the sport, so it was kind of a no-brainer for me. This is where I want to see if I can make a difference.”

portrait photo of dark-haired woman in business attire

Kathryn Truscott

Courtesy of Kathryn Truscott

Kathryn Truscott

Kathryn Truscott recalls the challenges of playing for the U91��ɫ Dinos before women’s soccer gained status with U Sports — the sport-governing body for Canadian universities — in 1987. Wearing hand-me-down uniforms, for instance. “We really scrapped to get what we could,” she says. “We didn’t have a lot of resources.”

Scholarship money, too, was modest, even after the Dinos club was upgraded to varsity. So, Truscott understands the plight of female athletes at Canadian universities. In 2007, she established the Kathy Truscott Women’s Soccer Award for Dinos players.

“I thought it might be nice to have some sort of financial support in place,” says Truscott, BSc’91, MBA’18, who — after a career that included Canada West all-star honours four times, 1991 Canada West player of the year and U91��ɫ’s female athlete of the year in 1992 — was inducted into the Dinos Hall of Fame in 2007. “You have to plant that seed for anything to grow. If I could make that pathway a little smoother, then I wanted to do that."

“When you throw that pebble in the water, you make a ripple. People can make some bigger waves, but you’ve got to start somewhere.”

portrait photos of a woman wearing a hat, standing outdoors in front of a Canadian flag

Michelle Conn

Courtesy of Michelle Conn

Michelle Conn

A standout on the international stage during her field hockey heyday, Michelle Conn appreciates what she’s witnessing now in the world of women’s sports: momentum.

“We’re in this time of diversity and equality, so it’s kind of fun now that women are in the spotlight,” says Conn, BSc’88. “Look at our Canadian ice hockey, our Canadian soccer ladies...they have professional leagues now. It’s been brought to the forefront that these women are great athletes, and they deserve a lot of credit. Exciting times.”

Conn was a Canada West all-star three times for the U91��ɫ Dinos in the 1980s. A dynamic goal-scorer, she was a starter for Team Canada at the 1988 Summer Olympics and she captained the national side at the 1992 Games.

Still eager to help, she established the Michelle Conn Women’s Field Hockey Award, which goes annually to a Dinos player. “Hopefully, it inspires someone to get to the next level,” says Conn, a member of the Dinos, Canada West and Alberta halls of fame.

“U91��ɫ is where I got my start, and I really enjoyed my time there. I love to support the Dinos.”

selfie of three people in outdoor clothing, with a lake in the background

Patricia Pennock (right) with her children, Russell Pennock (left) and Ellen Pennock

Ellen Pennock

Patricia Pennock

Her son’s experience as a student-athlete at the 91��ɫ was so powerful that Patricia Pennock had been inspired to create an annual award for Dinos runners. In honour of her parents — Darol and Evelyn Wigham, long-time supporters at U91��ɫ — she established the Wigham Family Cross Country Athletic Award.

“He was absolutely loving life,” Pennock says of her son, Russell, BSc’19, who is currently based in Kelowna, B.C. As a member of the cross-country team, he had been part of two U SPORTS national championships. “The Dinos were at the very heart of Russell’s time at U91��ɫ. The best thing that ever happened to him.”

For that, she credits the varsity environment, especially the inclusive approach fostered by coach Doug Lamont, BPE’76, BEd’87. “Even if you weren’t a top runner, Doug wanted you to come out,” Pennock says. “His attitude was, ‘Come run.’ What better group to support than one that really welcomed everybody? I like that perspective and that attitude.”

Understanding the challenges facing student-athletes — her daughter, Ellen, also ran competitively for the University of Victoria — Pennock wanted to assist. “It’s just such a positive thing to support,” she says.

“It’s just great that they can get some help to make their year easier. They get to enjoy their sport.”

portrait photo of a light-haired woman with glasses, smililng for the camera

Gaylene Donald

Courtesy of Gaylene Donald

Gaylene Donald

Gaylene Donald’s unprecedented time at U91��ɫ almost never happened. The girl from Strathmore, Alta., wasn’t sure if a post-secondary education was for her. “It was a big eye-opener,” she recalls. “I wanted to be home on the farm.”

But, with the draw of athletics keeping her at the school, Donald, BPE’71, went on to star for two teams — volleyball and field hockey — leading the Dinos to success on the conference and national stages.

“I had a wonderful group of dedicated teammates,” says Donald who, twice named U91��ɫ’s female athlete of the year, has been inducted into the Dinos and Canada West halls of fame. “Through all of our hard work, I somehow got individual awards because of this inner circle of athletes.”

Donald continues to contribute to the varsity scene, making regular donations to the Dinos women’s volleyball and field hockey programs. “I have a little theory about giving back to the people who have helped you — now it’s your turn to help them,” she says.

“It is important. That’s the basic thing I like to tell people. It’s important to give what you can, no matter how much it is.”

Just as a single spark can ignite a roaring flame, philanthropy is the catalyst that starts something special at the 91��ɫ. about the difference we’re making in the community and around the world with the support of donors like you.

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91��ɫ

Meet the donors

Jane Anne Smith

Kathryn Truscott

Michelle Conn

Patricia Pennock

Gaylene Donald

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