The Department of Athletics and Recreation is proud to recognize and celebrate National Volunteer Week from April 27 to May 3. Volunteers play a vital role in the department's daily operations, and their dedication and impact never go unnoticed. The magic of volunteering is that it creates both social and economic value for all, and we continue to see just how powerful and prevalent that impact is in our current environment as the University of Waterloo hosts national scale events such as the U Sports Women's Hockey Championship or the East-West Bowl. The department is incredibly fortunate to have the support of alumni and community volunteers who generously lend their time and talents to support our student population.
Student volunteers have made meaningful contributions across a variety of programs, including Move Your Mind, Advancement, Clubs, Warrior Women of Waterloo, Marketing and Outreach, Team-Up, Rise-Up, Strength and Conditioning, and Athletic Therapy. In 2024 alone, hundreds of student volunteers gave support to the Warriors community through these initiatives.
We are deeply grateful for the passion, energy, and commitment our volunteers bring to the department, thank you for making a difference.
Below are a few profiles of volunteers who have made meaningful contributions across the department.
Name: Alex Sinik
Year: 5
Program of study & graduation year: Master of Science, class of '25
Years with Warriors: 5 years with Women's Volleyball
Volunteer area: Athletics, Warrior Women of Waterloo Executive, Rise-Up Mentor, Team-Up Volunteer
What motivates you to volunteer for the Warriors?
Volunteering with the Warriors allows me to bring people together, support the community that cheers us on, and help create a giving environment at UW!
What do you enjoy most about volunteering for the Warriors?
My favourite part of volunteering with the Warriors is getting to build meaningful connections and contribute to making a positive difference in the community.
Celia Markovinovic (Puslinch, ON) and Alex Sinik (Calgary, AB) at the Warrior Women of Waterloo Female Excellence Breakfast
Name: Alexa Splane
Year: 4
Program of study & graduation year: Kinesiology, class of 26'
Years with Warriors: 1
Volunteer area: Athletics Marketing
What motivates you to volunteer for the Warriors?
I was motivated to volunteer for the Warriors by my passion for athletics and supporting greater representation for women in sports. It was a great way to combine my interests while also building school spirit and bringing people together through sport.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering for the Warriors?
What I enjoyed most about volunteering for the Warriors was the chance to build new skills while working with an incredible team. I got to connect with so many amazing people and the supportive environment made every game day so memorable.
Alexa Splane in action with game day marketing
Name: Andy Bauer
Year: 2002-2003+
Program of study & grad year: Accounting; BA/MAcc, class of 2002/2003, PhD grad class of 201
Years with Warriors: 7 years, 1998-2002, 2005, 2007 with Men's Rugby
Volunteer area: Men's Rugby Alumni & Supporters Committee
What motivates you to volunteer for the Warriors?
Being a Warrior helped me grow as a person, and I look back fondly at my time as a student and student-athlete. So taking time to support initiatives that help current students, or related stakeholders, is a way to try and help ensure successive generations of Warriors achieve their growth potential.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering for the Warriors?
Having the opportunity to connect with different people makes volunteering fun. And especially with an alumni committee, both the connecting and re-connecting with athletes, coaches, teammates, and supporters is awesome. Plus, if we're able to achieve our goals, we make a positive development for the team, which ties back to what motivates me to volunteer.
Anything else you want to add?
Echoing that the people you connect with are what makes the experience worthwhile, the men's rugby alumni and supporters committee has benefited from great direction at the top. Our Chair, Stephen Webb, has been instrumental in reinvigorating the alumni, creating opportunities to network and support the team, and keeping us, all moving forward to support the team's success on and off the field. Establishing a personal connection with Stephen and seeing the dedication he brings to our objectives is a highlight of my role on the committee!
Name: Tim Bauer
Year: 2002-2003, 2011
Program of study & grad year: Accounting; BA/MAcc, class of 2002/2003, PhD grad class of 2011
Years with Warriors: 7 years, 1998-2002, 2007, 2009 with Men's Rugby
Volunteer area: Men's Rugby Alumni & Supporters Committee
What motivates you to volunteer for the Warriors?
Being a Warrior is in my blood. My mom played basketball, my older sister figure skated, my brother and I played rugby, and my dad is a former student and employee at UW. I am happy to give back to the Warriors or UW in any way I can because being a Warrior and member of this university has given me so much. In particular, volunteering to support the rugby team is a labour of love; I wouldn't be the person I am today without my teammates, coaches, and other supporters from when I was a player. Helping support current Warriors is a just a small way for me to say thank you and pay it forward.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering for the Warriors?
Staying connected with the current Warriors and Athletics, but also staying connected with former players and supporters. Just being in the midst of so many great people who represent the school and Warriors that I love and our role models for others, it's a joy to talk to, learn from, and have a great time with all these people.
Anything else you want to add?
I'm only here because of our men's rugby alumni and supporters committee chair, Stephen Webb. It was his vision to get some proud alumni together to support the current group of players and coaches. He is a great leader, and I think our alumni community is stronger because of the outreach he is promoting, which I get to be a part of as a volunteer. Thanks Stephen!
Men's Rugby Alumni at Vancouver Sevens Match: Nick Wray, Andy Bauer, Scott Dunham, Lindsay Bast, Tim Bauer, and Derek McCubbin
