Peter Watts Memorial Grant
Commemorating the one-year anniversary of his passing, the Peter Watts Memorial Grant was established in January 2020 for prospective Canadian university journalism students.
The $3,000 annual grant will be given to an incoming first-year student for the next six years, to be put towards their education in journalism, media studies or communications at a university registered with Universities Canada.
Watts, who died on January 18, 2019, was known for his work at CBC and TSN, and particularly his lifelong support for Canadian university student-athletes. He was a driving force behind the Queen’s University radio station CFRC, while also managing the Gaels football and hockey teams. Later in his career, Watts served as a media relations consultant for the Lieutenant Governor Athletic Awards - formerly known as the BLG and Howard Mackie Awards - held in Calgary, honouring the U SPORTS Athletes of the Year.
A colleague and friend to many in the sports media industry, Watts was known for signature signoff “Go out and make it a safe and happy day.”
This grant is gratefully subsidized by the Peter Watts Memorial Media Foundation and independent of the U SPORTS Correspondent Awards Presented by The Globe and Mail.
Prospective students can apply for the grant from Mar. 15 - Aug. 15, 2022 to communications@usports.ca with the following:
- A copy of your resume
- A short essay answering why is it important for you to pursue journalism and/or media studies? (1,000 word maximum)
- An example of an article, interview or media clip that you have produced.
A selection committee will review all applications, with a selection announcement to be made at a later date. Proof of university acceptance and admittance will be required.
Year | Winner |
2020-21 | Ella Milloy McGill / Carleton |
2019-20 | Matt Johnson Saskatchewan / Ryerson |