BU Honours Champ with Gym Dedication

BRANDON, MB – Westman native son Henry Champ will be posthumously honoured by Brandon University (BU) this Thursday, when a campus gymnasium is renamed for the late journalist during a ceremony with family, friends and members of the public.

The Henry Champ Gymnasium, first opened in 1965, has been home to four Canadian university national championship teams. The gym has undergone a year-long refurbishing as part of BU’s Healthy Living Centre development. Updates include a refinished hardwood floor, all new paint including the classic Brandon University Bobcats logo on a feature wall, a refurbished stage and mezzanine featuring configurable space for meetings or sports plus a new judge’s booth overlooking the gym.

Henry Champ was BU Chancellor 2008-2012, a lifelong sports enthusiast and dedicated BU Bobcats fan.

“During his student days at Brandon University, Henry was a remarkable athlete and passionate supporter,” says BU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Deborah Poff. “He stayed connected to BU sports through his entire life and recruited top athletes to campus. Our University is a better place because of Henry Champ’s dedication and commitment.”

A native of Hartney, MB, Henry attended BU in 1957 and 1958. He would travel the world through the next five decades; one of the world’s top foreign correspondents reporting from places including El Salvador, Nicaragua, Chile, the Middle East, Vietnam and Washington, DC.

The dedication ceremony is open to all and starts at 3:00 pm in the Henry Champ Gymnasium, Healthy Living Centre, 2010 Louis Avenue, Brandon MB.

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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Deborah Poff President and Vice-Chancellor 204-727-7427 Poffd@brandonu.ca	Glen Kirby Communications Officer 204-727-9762 kirbyg@brandonu.ca

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