Coming full circle: Former student-athlete works to support next generation
Staff Profile: Kelsey Pettigrew
Position
Faculty Advancement Coordinator, Kinesiology & Health Studies/Varsity & Club Sports
Areas of Focus
Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Varsity Sports Development Officer, University Advancement
As a former student-athlete, Regina native, Kelsey Pettigrew, knows how important financial support is in helping student-athletes be able to focus on their studies and spend every spare moment training and developing in the sport they love.
Kelsey graduated from Western Nebraska Community College with an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration, Management Information Systems on a softball scholarship. Subsequently, Kelsey attended Troy University in Troy, Alabama on a Division I softball scholarship for a time, and finished her degree at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Human Services. Returning home to Regina several years ago, Kelsey secured her current position at the University of Regina where she also completed her Masters in Administration with a focus in Leadership.
Notable accolades for her athletic achievement include induction into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Saskatoon Outlaws softball team for having won the Canadian National Championships in 2008, 2010, and 2011. She was also inducted into the University of Regina’s Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the 2013 Friends University Softball team for posting an impressive 43-8 overall record (18-0 conference record), winning the tournament title and clinching an NAIA national championship.
Q: What was your work experience prior to taking on your current role with the U of R?
A: Leading up to my current position, I’ve served various roles ranging from helping the Friends University’s football team as an athletic trainer to working with international students at the University of Colorado’s ESL department, which included advising, tutoring, and planning sociocultural activities and other events. After moving back to Regina, I worked at Hospitality Services for more than three years at the University of Regina, eventually taking on the role of Events and Hospitality Coordinator.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your role as Faculty Advancement Coordinator and what it entails?
A: As a Faculty Advancement Coordinator, I divide my time into three different areas: the first is securing sponsorship for Cougar Varsity Sport and the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies’ different initiatives and programming through sport. I work closely and collaborate with our community partners who have an interest in supporting our Cougar varsity sport and varsity club teams, and engaging with the community of fans that support them.
Second, I work with our University Philanthropy team in fundraising for the Varsity Sport department and teams, as well as the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies (KHS). This entails building relationships with donors and organizations to provide funding for different initiatives that support our athletic teams, whether it be scholarships/awards, travel, meals, coaching support, or other areas that align with KHS’s philanthropic pillars for support. We have one of the most diverse groups of students, so there are a lot of ways to support and celebrate our student-athletes.
Last, I work in partnership with our Alumni Engagement team to showcase and highlight both Varsity Sport and KHS alumni. We try to provide opportunities to engage our alumni with the University and student-athletes to help build meaningful relationships and advance our programs. Our aim is to foster a sense of belonging within our programs that lasts a lifetime. So, whether our alumni have moved away or are actively involved in the local community, we like to highlight the amazing things they are doing, while also giving them opportunities to come back and participate in events or activities that connect them to our current students. This helps create and grow a strong alumni network to ensure they have opportunities to be successful when they graduate.
Give now to U of R Athletics.
Q: What motivated you to choose this career path?
A: As someone who grew up actively playing volleyball, basketball, and softball, as well as enjoying being a spectator at sporting events, I’ve always had the lifelong ambition to work in sports as a career. As a former collegiate athlete, fostering a positive student experience is meaningful to me. So, knowing I had an opportunity to impact a student or student-athlete on some level during their time on campus was exciting. I’ve been fortunate to build new relationships with local and provincial partners to offer experiences through sponsorship, game-day promotions, and student-athlete discounts that support and promote local experiences, for not only our student athletes, but also the community and fans.
I’ve also had the privilege of building relationships and working closely with our donors and alumni to create or support awards and scholarships for our KHS students and student-athletes.
Q: What are some of your favourite hobbies and passions?
A: I love to travel abroad. Some of my favourite destinations are Vietnam, Singapore, and Hungary. I’m an avid hiker, canoer, and backcountry camper. I’m still very competitive and passionate about playing sports and competing in the local ladies leagues for volleyball, basketball, and softball. I’ve recently begun teaching private sessions for softball and helping the Martin Academy softball program when I can. I try to keep up with all of my teammates from college as well, and visit them as often as I can. I’m recently married, and enjoy spending the majority of my free time with my husband and our three dogs.
Banner photo credit: Kelsey Pettigrew.