A decorated athlete, experienced sport administrator, and passionate advocate for university athletics is the University of Northern British Columbia’s new Director of Athletics and Recreation.

Jason Kerswill is coming to UNBC after spending five years in Calgary with a prestigious sports school, most recently as Director of Athletics, overseeing high-performance academies in four sports. He also has a master’s degree in Human Kinetics with a specialization in sport administration. While completing a bachelor’s degree at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Kerswill won two national basketball championships and was named an Academic All-Canadian four times.

“Beyond his experience as a player, coach, and administrator, it was Jason’s passion and his knowledge about the powerful role athletics can play at a small university that really impressed us,” says Mark Dale, UNBC Provost and Chair of the selection committee. “With a strong background in athletic policy, program development, fundraising, and community relations, we’re confident that Jason will foster the continued growth and development of UNBC Athletics and its close ties with the community.”

The Director of Athletics and Recreation is responsible for the management of Athletics and Recreation and its various programs, activities, and services at the varsity, intramural, club, and recreational levels. In addition to fostering connections with the community and community-based organizations, the Director also represents UNBC with provincial and national sport organizations.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to continue building an athletic tradition at UNBC that is rooted in academic and athletic excellence but also connected to the world outside of the campus,” says Kerswill, who will be moving to Prince George with his family and officially starting in his new position on August 23. “Through my experiences as a student-athlete in rural Nova Scotia, I understand and appreciate the positive effect a small university can have on its students and the community as a whole. Athletics is one of the ways the effect can be strengthened.”

UNBC’s soccer and basketball teams have come off their best seasons ever, with the men’s basketball team winning UNBC’s first national championship.

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