Record $101K Raised for Trent Student-Athletes at 20th Annual President's Excalibur Golf Tournament
Milestone tournament sets a new fundraising record for Green & White Athletic Financial Awards
Alumni, sponsors, community partners and friends came together to raise a record $101,000 in support of Green & White Athletic Financial Awards for Trent student-athletes at the 20th annual President's Excalibur Golf Tournament.
“At Trent, athletics is about much more than competition. It’s about developing leaders – students who build resilience, confidence, discipline and teamwork,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “The record-breaking support shows our student-athletes that they have supporters rooting for them, that their efforts are recognized and valued.
"The Green & White Athletic Financial Awards give students the chance to be and become—embracing who they are and fully realizing their potential without financial barriers getting in the way.”
The Green & White Athletic Financial Awards provide financial assistance to student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in sport, achievement in the classroom, and leadership within the Trent community.
During the 2025-26 varsity season, more than 70 student-athletes received a Green & White Athletic Financial Award, bringing the total number of recipients supported through the program to over 450.
“No journey to success comes without challenges,” said Aly Saydam (Gzowski College), men’s volleyball student-athlete from Ottawa. “Being a student-athlete is very challenging. You’re expected to train like a professional athlete, while still excelling at a full-time university education. A major part of my success is due to generous donors like those here today. Receiving a Green & White Athletic Financial Award during each year of study has allowed me to focus more of my time and energy towards volleyball and my studies.”
Saydam credits the Green & White Athletic Financial Awards with helping him maintain an academic average above 80 per cent throughout his undergraduate degree, earning him recognition as a USPORT Academic All-Canadian. This year he also earned a place on the President's Honour Roll for graduating with a 90 per cent or higher average and earned two of Trent Athletics' highest honours: the Bonnie M. Patterson Award and the Arthur Cup.
A record 24 teams participated in this year's tournament, enjoying a day of golf, community connection and fundraising in support of Excalibur student-athletes. Tournament participants also had the opportunity to meet current student-athletes and learn more about their experiences balancing varsity athletics and academics at Trent
Trent University and Trent Athletics extend their gratitude for the generous support of sponsors, led by Platinum Title Sponsor RDC, whose commitment helped make the tournament's 20th anniversary celebration and fundraising success possible.
For more information about donating to the Green and Athletic Financial Awards visit trentu.ca/athletics or contact Beth Pelow, Senior Development Officer bethpelow@trentu.ca
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.