Sandra & Arthur Irving announced as Honourary Chairpersons

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Acadia University and the Department of Athletics are pleased to announce Arthur and Sandra Irving as honourary chairpersons of the 2018 U SPORTS National Women's Rugby Championship hosted by Acadia in Wolfville, N.S. from November 1^st to 4^th.

Arthur Irving served as the Chancellor of Acadia University from 1996 to 2010. Like his Father K.C. Irving, and brothers Jim and Jack, Arthur attended Acadia University. When he left, he returned home to Saint John New Brunswick where he worked in the family business, Irving Oil, and does to this day with over 70 years of service to the Company. He received an Honorary Doctor of Civil Laws degree from Acadia in 2003.

A steadfast and hard-working advocate for students, scholarly excellence and building a better world, Sandra Irving most likes to help students in the realization of their dreams. Sandra earned a Bachelor of Arts with distinction from the University of New Brunswick in Saint John and a Master of Arts from the University of Toronto. Sandra and Arthur were instrumental in helping to establish the Atlantic Chapter of The Royal Society of Canada and she was made an Honorary Fellow of the RSC.   Sandra received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Acadia in 2017.

"We are very honoured to be asked to be the Honorary Chairs of the 2018 U SPORTS National Women's Rugby Championship," said Arthur.

A member of Acadia's Class of 1952, Arthur Irving had a deep passion for athletics including rugby, which he played while attending Acadia.

"I remember well," says Arthur, "that some of life's greatest lessons were learned when I played on the rugby team at Acadia. Acadia University is a most welcoming host of this prestigious gathering of our country's best rugby players and we are happy to be a part of it," concluded Arthur.

"It was only fitting to ask Arthur and Sandra Irving to serve as honourary chairpersons for our 2018 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championships due to their love of sport and university students," said Acadia's Executive Director of Athletics and Community Kevin Dickie.

"Acadia is thrilled to celebrate Arthur and Sandra as our Honorary Chairs. Since Acadia's founding 180 years ago, no family has meant more to Acadia than Sandra and Arthur Irving and, quite frankly, provided such tremendous support and friendship to me as a coach and Athletic Director.

"They have such an affinity for all the sports in our Athletic Program, but you know from talking to them, or by looking at pictures in their home, that rugby is their pure passion. It is this passion that makes this year's Championship, and such deserving recognition of Arthur and Sandra Irving being connected to it, so special. It will mean so much to us to have them as well their daughter Sarah be part of this national championship," concluded Dickie.

The U SPORTS National Women's Rugby Championship begins November 1^st with quarterfinals play and ends Sunday, November 4^th with a consolation final, bronze medal game and gold medal game.