The Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to six student-athletes that will be continuing their post-secondary education at a Canadian College or University. Three males and three females will each be awarded a scholarship of $5,000. Preference shall be given to a student whose character is reflective of qualities that Brian Maxwell demonstrated in his life: honesty, integrity, compassion and an unwavering quest to accomplish the best they can, academically and athletically, while supporting his fellow team members.
Brian Maxwell was a successful distance runner and entrepreneur, as co-founder of Power Bar with his wife Jennifer. He attended Victoria Park Secondary School from 1968-72. As a distance runner, basketball guard and wrestler at Victoria Park, Brian had a determined focus and dedication to be the best at his chosen sport.
Brian excelled in Track & Field, long distance, and Cross-Country running. He was an OFSAA champion and Canadian junior, juvenile and senior champion. While on scholarship at University of Berkeley, Brian attained a degree in Architecture. He was the winner of many international marathons (third place in Boston Marathon and twice at Ottawa) and a member of the 1980 Canadian Olympic Marathon team.
Later in life he found out that a defective heart valve had been robbing him the entire time of an estimated one to three per cent of aerobic power. This would have translated his best marathon at Seaside of 2:14.43 (fifth fastest ever Canadian) to a handicap of close to four minutes, thus making him a 2:10.43 marathoner (only Jerome Drayton was faster at 2:10.06).
Tragically, Brian suffered a heart attack in 2004 that took his life.
How to Apply
- Eligibility
- Application
- Judging
Scholarship qualifications:
- Competition in an OFSAA Championship middle distance event of 800m or greater, or
OFSAA Cross Country Championship event - Graduation from Grade 12 having attained 80% + average in their best six grade 12
courses as used for post-secondary applications - Attended Grade 10 and 11 in Canada
- Participation in high school extracurricular activities
- Community involvement, such as volunteering, coaching, fundraising, overseas projects
- Involvement in other sports and activities outside of school
- Must be attending a Canadian college or university
Application Requirements
- A personal narrative, in your own words, stating why you feel you qualify for the
scholarship. This must NOT exceed 500 words, have proper grammar and paragraph
spacing, using 12 point font or greater - A maximum of 2 letters of reference (either from a coach/teacher/community member)
not to exceed 200 words using 12 point font or greater - Your most recent Report Card and/or Progress report OR Student Status report,
along with an Official School Transcript. Note- please see your Guidance or Student
Services department for assistance with these documents - A summary of your OFSAA Participation using the attached summary sheet
- A summary of any other major athletic achievement (s)
Applications should be sent as ONE attachment via email to brianmaxwellscholarship@gmail.com
Preference shall be given to a student whose character is reflective of qualities that Brian Maxwell demonstrated in his life: honesty, integrity, compassion and an unwavering quest to accomplish the best they can, academically and athletically, while supporting his fellow team members.