Atlantic University Sport announces nominees for the 2025 PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award

(HALIFAX, N.S.) Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce the nominees for the 37^th annual PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award.

The James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 1985 and is awarded annually to an outstanding student-athlete in Atlantic University Sport for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship.

This year’s award selection committee consisted of Phil Currie, President and CEO of Atlantic University Sport; Marg Bayer, wife of the late James Bayer; and Dr. Denis Prud’homme, president and vice-chancellor of l’Université de Moncton and chair of the AUS board of directors.

Each year, AUS member schools nominate one student-athlete for this prestigious award. This year’s recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship award, while each of the nominees receive a $500 award.

“On behalf of the selection committee, I would like to recognize all of this year’s nominees who are absolutely outstanding,” said AUS president and CEO Phil Currie. “They each exhibit the hard work, dedication and community mindedness that exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete in Atlantic University Sport.”

James Bayer taught education and physical education at both high school and university levels. He served as supervisor and consultant for the Nova Scotia Department of Culture, Recreation and Fitness.

At Acadia University, he served as dean of recreation and physical education and as director of athletics from 1978 – 1985. As an administrator in the AUAA and the CIAU, he was a key player in the establishment of intercollegiate athletic policy.

2025 Nominees

University	Nominee	Sport
Acadia University	Ella Collins	Women’s Swimming
Cape Breton University	Alliyah Rowe	Women’s Soccer
Dalhousie University	Kasandra Trenke	Women’s Volleyball
Memorial University	Marcella Whelan	Women’s Swimming
Université de Moncton	Sophie Black	Women’s Cross Country + Women’s Track & Field
Saint Mary’s University	Clara Gascoigne	Women’s Basketball
St. Francis Xavier University	Eileen Benoit	Women’s Cross Country + Women’s Track & Field
St. Thomas University	Ekaterina Pelowich	Women’s Hockey
University of New Brunswick	Katherine Butts	Women’s Basketball
University of Prince Edward Island	Kamari Scott	Men’s Basketball

Following a meeting of the selection committee, the recipient of this year’s award will be announced at their institution’s year-end athletic banquet.

This memorial scholarship is the most prestigious award offered annually by Atlantic University Sport.

For further information, please visit www.atlanticuniversitysport.com, or contact:

Jessica Burns
Communications & Sports Information Manager
Atlantic University Sport
O: 902-425-4235
C: 902-478-705