Third-year defensive lineman
Kaishaun Carter has been honoured as the 2023-24 recipient of UBC Football's Courage of Casey Award.
Embodying the traits that coach Casey held in the highest regard, "Citizenship, Athletics, Scholarly, Excellence, Youth," Kaishaun made the Dean's honour roll, and is a three-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian. The Surrey product has represented UBC athletics in multiple initiatives including his role as football representative for the Thunderbird Athlete Council and the Canada West Student-Athlete Engagement Committee.
Carter was a three-year starter playing defensive tackle and a key contributor on the conference's top defensive front. The former St. Thomas More Collegiate Knight played in back-to-back Canada West Hardy Cup finals in 2022 and 2023, and helped lead the 'Birds to victories in both the 2022 Shrum Bowl and Kalamalka Bowl. He finished his career winning the 2023 Hardy Cup and Mitchell Bowl and played in the Vanier Cup national championship.
Kaishaun is a well-rounded student athlete, a young man of high character and a team-first player. His off-field bio includes many accolades:
- One of seven students selected in the Class of 2024 to the UBC Portfolio Management Foundation.
- Peer mentor for UBC's Black Male Initiative and the Commerce Undergraduate Society
- Volunteer at the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation's annual "Up the Down Market fundraiser"
- Created a project to reduce food insecurity in Indigenous communities that placed second in the UBC Feeding 9 Billion case competition
- Fundraised and donates an annual scholarship to a graduating student from St. Thomas More Collegiate
- Volunteer football coach with the Burnaby City Chargers Football Club
"It's a great honour to receive this award and an even bigger one to have played for you all," said Carter. "UBC, and especially the football program, has greatly impacted my life. Without the support from my T-Bird coaches, teammates, and staff, I would not have accomplished all that I have during my time here. I am extremely grateful for the legacy of Coach Casey and will carry his values throughout my life."
The Courage of Casey Award was first presented in 1999 to honour the former Thunderbird team captain and 1997 Vanier Cup championship Head Coach, Casey Duane Smith (MKin – Coaching Science). Since his passing it has been awarded annually to the player who best exemplified the traits that Casey held in the highest regard, especially during his time as a Thunderbird.
Casey was head coach of the Thunderbirds from 1995 to 1997. Tragically, in 1998 Casey was diagnosed with cancer. Prior to fall training camp, he sent a letter to his players telling them of his illness. The team dedicated the season to him, affixing decals onto each helmet with the words "Courage for Casey" and the number 51, his jersey number during his playing days. At his last public appearance, the 1998 Shrum Bowl, he was presented the Football BC Builders Award while receiving a standing ovation. He was well respected in the coaching world for his knowledge, commitment and for tirelessly promoting the sport. It is remarkable how many young lives Casey impacted through the UBC summer football camps, as a community speaker, as a coach and as a loyal friend.
Speaking at Casey's memorial service, former UBC President Martha Piper said: "there is no need to erect a monument to Casey; there are already hundreds of them."
Casey was awarded the Arthur W. Delamont Service Award in 1999, presented each year to those who exemplify Delamont's contribution of service, goodwill and cheerfulness to students and athletes.
