On August 12, at the annual Serge Savard Invitational to benefit student athletes, the Université de Sherbrooke along with hockey legend and long-time UdeS partner Serge Savard announced a major $6-million gift from philanthropist and businessman Herbert Black to create a university hockey program for both men and women at UdeS.
This announcement to support a Vert & Or hockey program will solidify a dream of both Serge Savard and UdeS to develop a high-level university hockey program right here in Sherbrooke. Serge Savard has actively supported UdeS for over a decade and firmly believes in its ability to promote academic and athletic excellence.
"I have shared this dream with the Université de Sherbrooke, which, like me, has always believed in the power of sport to transform lives," Serge Savard said at the event. "This donation will allow us to finally make this dream a reality. A Vert & Or university hockey team will both change and enrich Quebec's sports landscape."
"I was won over by the project's scope and vision as well as its concrete impact on young women and men student athletes," said Herbert Black. "We are supporting their development right here in Quebec by giving them a path to academic and sports excellence. This represents an investment in their and our collective future."
A key attraction strategy for UdeS
This project is part of the Université de Sherbrooke's ambitious vision to broaden its sports programs to raise its profile and become even more attractive to students. "This project will definitely attract the best talents to Sherbrooke," said Jean-Pierre Perreault, Rector of the Université de Sherbrooke. "It will meet the growing demand for hockey at the university level while letting our young players continue to develop right here in Quebec. The program will give our student athletes a springboard to the elite level while supporting them both on the ice and in the classroom."
A future-forward philanthropic contribution
The Herbert Black - Serge Savard Vert & Or Hockey Support Fund will provide exceptional backing to a pivotal and strategic project at a time when universities have to take bold action to pursue their development.
"We are very grateful for this donation that sends a strong message," said Jean-Pierre Perreault, Rector of the Université de Sherbrooke. "It also attests to the trust of our partners and their commitment to not only our student athletes but our entire community, which will benefit from the spin-offs of this initiative. This support, which will go exclusively toward developing our hockey program, will let us take our institutional vision to the next level without putting pressure on public finances. Given the very tight budgetary context that universities are facing, we deeply thank Serge Savard and Herbert Black for their commitment and generosity in helping us build a promising future for our university and enhancing the student experience."
This philanthropic contribution marks the program's first foundational step. More milestones will gradually be developed over the coming months.
About the Serge Savard Invitational
In 2019, Serge Savard launched an unprecedented initiative to support Vert & Or student athletes at the Université de Sherbrooke thanks to a scholarship fund with a target of $5 million. In August of that year, the Serge Savard Invitational golf tournament began in support of the fund and is now in its fifth edition. Commitments of nearly $5.5 million have been pledged for scholarships that strengthen the academic and sports success of Vert & Or athletes.
About the UdeS Major Campaign
Since its founding, the Université de Sherbrooke has always innovated, pushed boundaries and practices, and made forward-looking decisions. These orientations have forged its identity and are a source of pride for the university's entire community. While drawing from this history, the University is embarking on the next chapter of its development with its Major Fundraising Campaign, Choosing to Change the Future. The most ambitious in UdeS history, this $250-million campaign will support over 150 inspiring projects that provide concrete solutions to today's and tomorrow's challenges.
Facts about the Vert & Or
- 420 student athletes from all faculties.
- 6 high-level teams: track and field, cross-country running, football, swimming, men and women's soccer, men and women's volleyball.
- 6 sports clubs: badminton, cheerleading, golf, women's rugby, tennis, women's flag football.
For more information
2500, boulevard de l'Université
Sherbrooke Québec
Canada J1K 2R1
www.usherbrooke.ca
