appointment of Kirk De Fazio as BU Athletic Director, effective
immediately. A first-round draft choice of the Ottawa
Roughriders, De Fazio comes to BU with more than 20 years experience as
Athletic Director in various British Columbia and Ontario schools, as
well as a wealth of experience in health and fitness planning and
fundraising, and in coaching.
Most recently the Athletic Director at Hillfield Strathallan College in Hamilton, Ontario, De Fazio has also served in this capacity at Meadowridge School in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Toronto French School in Toronto, Ontario, and Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario. At each of these schools, De Fazio has been tireless in his promotion of fitness and healthy lifestyles; and he was instrumental in fundraising and designing permanent fitness centres at each. De Fazio has also served as strength coach for the Canadian Olympic Water Polo Team, and as the middle-distance track coach of the University of Toronto Track and Field Team, leading them to back-to-back Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) championships.
In addition, De Fazio owned and operated his own fitness centres, called Nautilus Fitness and Aerobic Centres, in Ottawa, Ontario from 1980 to 1985.
"Kirk De Fazio is an outstanding choice for Athletic Director at BU," says President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Louis P. Visentin. "He has the right blend of qualifications and experience to make a real difference in Can West and at Brandon University. I look forward to working with him on our various projects in Athletics."
“Kirk brings a great deal of enthusiasm for this role at Brandon University in addition to his obvious experience and commitment to coaching and sport administration throughout his career," says VP, Administration and Finance Scott Lamont. "He has strong interpersonal skills and a strong desire to connect with the Brandon and Westman community. He will be a real asset to our program.”
"I am honoured and excited to join the Brandon team," says De Fazio, "go Bobcats!"
De Fazio received his Master of Education from the University of Victoria, a Specialist Degree in Special Education and a Teaching Degree from the University of Ottawa, and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo. In addition, De Fazio has received several awards and recognitions throughout his career, including the Coach of the Year 3M Coaching Bursary for Developmental Level in Canada in 2000, an induction into the University of Waterloo Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993, and the Tom Pate Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Canadian Football League for excellence in academics and athletics, in 1976.
Please join us in welcoming Kirk De Fazio to the Brandon University team, and the Brandon Community.
For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Kelly Stifora
Communications Officer
Brandon University
Phone: (204) 727-9762
Email: communications@brandonu.ca