Robert Gayton Leadership in Recreation Award | 2023/24 Recipients

Robert (Bob) Gayton was a member of the UBC Rowing team and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and was President of the Bachelor of Commerce Student Society in 1962. Bob enjoyed the time he spent participating in Intramurals while a student, and created this award to give current UBC Students extra financial support so that they have the time and opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.

The Robert Gayton Leadership Award in Recreation was created to recognize UBC Students who have demonstrated leadership, sense of fair play, and active community building through long-standing participation in one or more UBC Recreation programs.

Adjudication, Awards, & Ceremony

Adjudication of the awards was done by a committee made up of Athletics & Recreation Professionals, Student Staff, and Volunteers. Eight (8) awards of $500 was distributed and presented in a ceremony held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at UBC Point Grey Campus.

Check out the event highlights on our Instagram!

Eric Cislak

The profound impact which Eric made on the communities in which he was a member can be attested to by the 13 individual nominations he received for the Robert Gayton Award. During his time as a sports club facilitator in both Green College and the Allard School of Law, Eric stood out amongst his peers for not only his tireless organization, but the manner in which his presence, attitude and organization was able to galvanize his communities. As the captain of Intramural teams in Storm the wall, Todd Ice Hockey, and Handley Cup Soccer, Eric is described as someone who somehow embodies both an easy to approach peer equal, and an influential leader and change maker. Eric’s passion towards recreation in the community has moved outside of the Intramurals space as well, with Eric organizing trips to drop in skating organized for green college students, amongst so many other activities.

Ariel Rosen

Ariel is recognized both for her involvement in sports this past year as a Masters student, and as long-overdue credit and thanks for work she did in galvanizing the women’s hockey community as an Undergraduate. Her nominations describe how, upon finding out that there would not be enough women to run a hockey league in the fall of 2018, Ariel would talk to any girls on campus she spotted in hockey apparel, stick around after mixed or open games to talk to female players, and post on every social media site she could find until she had a team. From there, Ariel liaised with Intramurals staff to make sure her team could play other teams in women’s and men’s divisions, and laid the blueprint to the eventual return of the women’s league following the COVID pandemic with trademark hustle, desire and enthusiasm for the sport of Hockey. This year, Ariel led a team to capture the title in that women’s hockey league, while also taking on leadership roles on Great Trek and Day of the Longboat teams, as well as our own thunderbird triathlon team.

Jerry Xu

A participant since 2021, Jerry was nominated for his long standing participation in Gladiator, Storm the Wall, Volleyball, Ultimate, Flag Football and Pickleball teams. Jerry’s ability to accommodate and welcome new players into new sports and new teams is exceptional, with one of Jerry’s nominees citing him as the specific reason for them getting in Flag Football. Jerry has never been afraid to take a back seat to allow others to get involved, and he is a long running community member dedicated to Intramurals sports. 

Amanda Lee

What makes Amanda’s accomplishments and her presence so absolutely extraordinary is that she has gone into community building spaces almost exclusively occupied by intramural programmers and staff, and has achieved unprecedented success without any of the frameworks or support that these same staff members have access to. Amanda Lee was a co-founder of the AMS Women in Sport Club, and in a year where UBC intramurals pursued new avenues of engaging the women and trans women community, Amanda and her club were at the forefront. In terms of getting the word out about upcoming events, providing feedback to ensure IM staff were creating positive experiences for participants, and engaging her network, Amanda has been nothing short of inspirational. Within more formalized Intramurals Programming, Amanda captained Flag Football, Pickleball and Gladiator teams this past year. She also created women’s volleyball, Ultimate, and badminton teams, despite being unable to participate on those teams herself. Described by her nominees as an extraordinary friend, but an even more extraordinary leader.

Cheuk-Lun Cheun

Whereas many of our other recipients this year have distinguished themselves through wide ranging and varied contributions to recreation in their community, Cheuk-Lun’s nominees chose to recognize him for his singular dedication and commitment to the teams he was involved in. This year saw the return of UBC Intramurals’ Triple Crown competition, in which teams seek to capture a space in campus lore through victory in the three events disciplines of Day of the Longboat, Storm the Wall and the Great Trek. Cheuk-Lun made it his mission to capture this title, and took the responsibility of attempting to win this title on his own shoulders. While ultimately falling short in their quest to grab the ultimate prize, Cheuk-Lun’s nominees note his commitment, organization and leadership. Cheuk-Lun was also involved as a non-participating coach on the “Second Years” Basketball team, coaching his squad to a victorious first semester. 

Michelle Kim

Michelle is recognized for her outstanding work over the past 3 years as the captain of the Splash Sisters basketball Team. Michelle has been identified as an outstanding teammate, leader, and friend to everyone who has played with or against her team. Three of her teammates, each while nominating her for this award, describe her speech at the end of their final match this past semester as having brought tears to their eyes. Michelle has identified herself as  a participant who is always prioritizing the well being of her team and those on it, and for that reason we are pleased to recognize her this year.

Declan Fitzpatrick

Declan brings a friendly, uplifting spirit to every sport he participates in, and he has achieved infamy for the wide variety of programs he involves himself in. His presence can be felt on numerous volleyball teams, storm the wall teams, and his foray this past year into the soccer world. He is never seen without a smile, regardless of the outcome of his game, and nominees have noted his unique quality of making anyone, regardless of skill or background, feel welcome on any team which he plays in. Declan embodies the Intramural spirit like few on this campus can.

Hyunwoong (Harry) Chae

Harry Chae has made his contributions to the Intramurals participant committee over a period of incredible longevity.  Harry has been involved in Intramurals for the past 5 years, and over the past year he has maintained his level of involvement whilst balancing the numerous and varied demands of Medical School. Nominees spoke of this recipient’s infectious positivity, his ability to assemble a group of 25 soon to be doctors currently strangers for a first basketball practice, and a wide-ranging Intramural Career. A participant in the Futsal, Soccer, and basketball Leagues, Harry is frequently identified for shouldering the administrative demands of each of his teams, going to great lengths to ensure his team arrived to each game prepared and enthusiastic to play, and for the philosophy that, in his own words, it was never about winning or losing, but about the friendships we made along the way.