December 14, 2006

Charmaine Crooks, a five-time Olympian and a member of the Vancouver2010 Organizing Committee, is the newest member of the UNBC Board ofGovernors.

“Charmaine Crooks is an outstanding addition to our Board, especiallywith the opening of the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre is just over9 months from now,” says UNBC President Don Cozzetto. “She will help usidentify and realize opportunities for our Athletic programs and helpconnect UNBC, the Sport Centre, and the whole region to the 2010Olympics and Paralympics. There may be no athlete in Canada who is moreconnected, more respected, and more passionate about sport thanCharmaine Crooks.”

Ms. Crooks is a five-time Olympian, winning a silver medal in 1984. Sheis an 11-time national champion in Athletics (400m and 800m) and haswon gold medals at the Pan American, Commonwealth, World Cup, and WorldStudent Games. She is a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee’sExecutive Board and Chair of Olympians Canada. She served as a memberof the International Olympic Committee until 2004 and is currently amember of the IOC Press Commission and the IOC Athletes Commission. Shelives in North Vancouver.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to a universitywith great leadership  and an important presence in the communityand the province,” says Ms. Crooks. “It’s a real honour for me to bepart of building a sport legacy that will benefit the University andthe whole region. I’ve seen the value of sport and I know the greateffect it can have on so many people.”

Ms. Crooks has been added to the UNBC Board of Governors as anappointee by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. She has been appointedto a three-year term. She replaces Canfor CEO Jim Shepherd, who servedfor just over four years on the Board.

The Board is responsible for the operation and financial affairs of theUniversity. Its 15 members include the President and Chancellor as wellas Government appointees, regional representatives, students, faculty,and alumni. The next meeting of the Board is January 27.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622