University of British Columbia Athletics

As a UBC graduate and tireless philanthropist, Ken Woods has spent his adult life helping young student-athletes pursue excellence in academics and athletics.  After years of being actively involved with his alma mater as a fan of UBC varsity basketball and as a director on the Thunderbird Golf Society, Ken saw an opportunity to make a huge difference in the lives of young athletes. In 2015 Woods donated one million dollars to fund the Ken Woods Thunderbird Award. Since then, dozens of gifted student-athletes and future leaders have been supported by his generosity.  His support has been transformational to UBC Athletics, particularly to the sports of golf, basketball, soccer, rugby, volleyball, and more.  His generous backing has ensured that both  male and female student-athletes are given equal resources to be able to pursue their passion for sport and reach their potential at UBC and beyond.
 
Ken goes above and beyond with his efforts to support the aspiring leaders and innovators who come through UBC Athletics – meeting with players and trying to help everyone along with their dreams. Since establishing his endowment, Ken has gone on to support many teams with additional funding, including contributing to the new women's softball field and funding team travel and improved competition. He is ardent about ensuring UBC teams have opportunities to compete against the best on both the national and international stage. Outside of UBC Athletics, Ken is a passionate philanthropist and supports many community initiatives in healthcare, the arts, academia and sport.