20 “Corporate Heroes” are partnering with the University in its pursuit of sports excellence. The businesses are supporting UPEI’s push to enhance teams, programs, and community outreach activities though a new initiative called the Heroes program.

For more information: www.upei.ca/news/upei-celebrates-its-panther-sport-heroes

Capital Area Recreation Inc., (CARI) is a comprehensive athletics facility located on the UPEI campus, adjacent to the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. It was built to facilitate the residents of Charlottetown, Stratford and the surrounding area and is fully accessible to the public as well as to the University’s population. The CARI Aquatics Facility houses an eight-lane, 82 feet (25 metre) competition swimming pool, a leisure pool with waterslide, a toddler’s pool and a whirlpool. The MacLauchlan Arena, which officially opened in 2003, houses two NHL-sized ice surfaces and is named after well-known Island businessman, Harry MacLauchlan. UPEI is a shareholder in the Cari complex, together with the City of Charlottetown and the Town of Stratford, and is active in the development and operations of the facility.

Occupants include the Seniors Active Living Centre, Andrews Hockey...

The 2009 Canada Games, a national multi-sport and cultural event, was held August 15-29, 2009, across the entire province of Prince Edward Island. The Games brought together the best athletes and artists in a specified age group from each Canadian province and territory. Over 4,400 athletes, coaches, and managers came to Prince Edward Island to compete in 18 sports.

UPEI was a proud supporter and an official sports venue, and was Athletes' Village for Week 2. Events took place in the CARI Aquatics Centre, Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place, and on the artificial turf field. The three residences and Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall became an Athletes' Village, where 2,300 athletes and coaches were housed and fed. In addition, many UPEI faculty, staff, and students welcomed visitors and took advantage of opportunities to volunteer during the Canada Games.

UPEI maintains a commercial partnership with Andrews Hockey Growth Programs, which has trained local and international students for over 20 years. The UPEI campus provides on ice training at MacLauchlan Arena, while accommodations and food services are arranged through UPEI Conference Services.

Mandy Lise McKenna, a fifth-year player with the soccer Panthers, was the 2008 recipient of the Student-Athlete Community Service Award. An Academic All-Canadian, she is an exceptional Engineering student and athlete who gives back to her team and to the entire community.

Mandy has been a co-leader of the UPEI Athletic Council which, over two years, has raised more than $10,000 for the IWK Children's Hospital, Cancer Research on PEI, and other charitable causes. Her team has supported a wide array of sport and community outreach activities that benefit food banks, seniors, newcomers, sick children, and people in developing countries. And it is Mandy who has inspired her fellow athletes to participate in full force.

At least one member from every UPEI Atlantic University Sport (AUS) team contributes to the UPEI Student Athletic Council, working tirelessly on the University's behalf. Over the past three years, close to $15,000 has been raised by student athletes as they network broadly across PEI and with alumni.

Recent fundraising and volunteer work includes:

- The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's Run for the Cure
- IWK Spin-a-thon
- Breast Cancer fundraiser through Basketball
- UPEI Passion for Life Award, in memory of Rene Ayangma
- Charlottetown Food Bank Drive

Holland College and UPEI Athletics have a strong partnership, working to develop and support post-secondary recreation and sport opportunities. Holland College also calls UPEI home for all their basketball, soccer, and rugby home games.

UPEI Athletics is a member of Recreation PEI, a volunteer, not-for-profit, provincial association dedicated to promoting, co-ordinating, and encouraging all facets of recreation and facility management on Prince Edward Island. This is an important relationship that keeps continuous connections and communications with recreation organizations, communities, and facilities all across PEI.

Sport PEI is a non-profit sport federation under the guidance of a volunteer Board of Directors and professional staff, representing more than 50 member sport organizations within Prince Edward Island.

UPEI Athletics is a member of Sport PEI and regularly interacts & partners with many or most provincial sport organizations (PSOs). The most common partnerships include the UPEI Varsity sports - Hockey, Basketball, Soccer, Rugby, Field Hockey, and Swimming. As well as Club sports such as Volleyball, Athletics, Badminton, Figure Skating, and Golf.

The Chi-wan Young Sports Centre hosts many PEI sports, games, events, meets, and championships each year, and interacts closely with community individuals.

UPEI Athletics partners with the PEI School Athletic Association (PEISAA). In addition to being represented as a sponsor on all their communication material, UPEI hosts most of their provincial championships and regularly communicates with all the PEI School Athletics Directors.