UBC Athletics is thrilled to announce this year's KPMG Thunderbird Scholarship Breakfast keynote speaker presented by Victory is CBC Olympic Host and award-winning broadcaster, Scott Russell. 
 
A Canadian Screen Award and Gemini Award-winning broadcaster and acclaimed author, Scott Russell brought nearly 40 years of experience, passion and knowledge to his role as co-host of CBC Sports Presents. Russell's unparalleled enthusiasm for amateur sport shines through in every aspect of his work. 
 
The longtime host of the weekly show CBC SPORTS PRESENTS, Russell has covered 17 Olympic Games for CBC, including seven as host, and also led the network's coverage of six Pan Am Games, six Commonwealth Games, two FIFA World Cups and two FIFA Women's World Cups. In addition, Russell was a host and rink-side reporter for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada for 14 years.  
 
Also an acclaimed author of three books, Russell has earned numerous accolades throughout his broadcast career, including a Canadian Screen Award and Gemini Award with 15 nominations, a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to sports in Canada, the George Gross Award for Outstanding Broadcasting from Sports Media Canada, a Medal of Distinction from Toronto Sports Hall of Honour and a CBC President's Award in the Brand Champion category in recognition of his dedication and enthusiasm for his work covering amateur athletics for the network. He is an honorary board member of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, an advisory board member for the International Centre for Olympic Studies at Western University, and is the fifth Chancellor of Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, from where he holds an honorary doctorate (D.Lit.). 
 
Joining Scott on stage at the 2025 Thunderbird Scholarship Breakfast will be three of UBC's pre-eminent Olympians from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Don't miss your chance to see Scott Russell in his element among our Thunderbird Olympic stars for what is sure to be an inspiring and lively conversation!
 
Join Scott along with our proud Thunderbird community on Tuesday, February 25, for the KPMG Thunderbird Scholarship Breakfast. Since it began in 1999, the breakfast has been the paramount fundraising event for UBC Athletics, raising more than $14,500,000 for student-athlete scholarships and awards. The University has once again committed to matching proceeds from the ticket sales dollar for dollar, creating an opportunity for you to make a powerful impact. Your support enables talented, high-achieving student-athletes to follow their passions while earning a world-class education.

To purchase your ticket today or to support the event as a partner, sponsor or through the online auction head to the 2025 event landing page.
 
The federal government has extended the deadline for making donations eligible for tax support in the 2024 tax year, until February 28, 2025, therefore all Scholarship Breakfast ticket sales will be eligible to be submitted as part of your 2024 tax return.