Adams named Acadia recipient of AUS PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award

Atlantic University Sport announced Acadia Axewomen soccer student-athlete Leah Adams as the first 2026 recipient of the AUS PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award on Friday.

Beginning this year, AUS will recognize one student-athlete from each member university as a recipient of the prestigious award.

In previous years, one overall winner was selected from among the conference nominees. The updated format places an equal spotlight on each institution’s honouree, recognizing the exceptional accomplishments of student-athletes across the conference in academics, athletics, leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship.

Each recipient will receive a $500 scholarship.

Established in 1985, the James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award is one of Atlantic University Sport’s premier student-athlete honours.

A fifth-year defender from Truro, N.S., Adams has distinguished herself as one of the top student-athletes in the conference through her excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

A three-time AUS all-star, Adams earned first team all-star honours this season after previously being named to the AUS second team in 2023 and 2024. She started and played all 90 minutes in each of Acadia’s 12 regular season games this season.

She also delivered one of her strongest performances of the season in a 4-0 win over Moncton, earning player of the game honours after scoring twice from the back line.

Adams has also excelled academically throughout her university career. A five-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, she completed a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education and is currently completing graduate courses.

This season, Adams was named the recipient of the AUS women’s soccer Student-Athlete Community Service Award, earning the conference nomination for the national U SPORTS honour, which she also went on to win.

She was also honoured this year with Acadia Athletics’ 2025-26 Community Engagement Award, which recognizes student-athletes who go above and beyond in building connections, giving back and making a positive difference across campus and in the community.

Beyond her athletic and academic accomplishments, Adams has made a tremendous impact in the Acadia and Wolfville communities through extensive volunteer work and mentorship. She has contributed to programs such as KinderSkills, AWAKE and SMILE, supporting children and youth of all abilities through inclusive sport and physical activity opportunities.

She has also coached multiple community teams, supported adaptive sport initiatives and organized fundraising events, including a Soccer Baseball Tournament that raised $4,800 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

“Leah is a rare combination of academic, athletic and community excellence,” said Acadia Axewomen soccer head coach Danielle Cyr. “On the field, they are an incredible competitor, gifted athlete and exceptional leader, leading with empathy and integrity in everything they do. Leah is a remarkable role model and their commitment to serving their community could be rivalled by few.”

“From their classmates and teammates, to professors and staff, to the countless kids they have taught and coached across the Annapolis Valley, the breadth of lives Leah has positively impacted during their time at Acadia is extraordinary,” continued Cyr. “Our program, university and community are better because of them.”

Each of the 11 AUS PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award recipients will be announced by the conference over the coming days.

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 to 1985. As an administrator in the AUAA and the CIAU, he was a key player in the establishment of intercollegiate athletic policy.

The PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award is presented annually by PepsiCo Beverages Canada.