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Peter Watts Memorial Grant

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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: 

  1. A copy of your resume
  2. A short essay answering why is it important for you to pursue journalism and/or media studies? (1,000 word maximum)
  3. 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