UPEI Athletics and Recreation is proud to announce its Panther Academy's 2014 Summer Camp offerings. This year marks the second year of Panther Academy and the 22nd year of Panther Camps offered at UPEI.

At Panther Academy, there is something for everyone! Whether you like playing sports, or perhaps have a flair for the arts, maybe you like to experiment in the kitchen, or enjoy building things, Panther Academy can meet all of those needs and also has a great selection of themed Preschool Camps. So if you have a child (4-12 years old), UPEI Panther Academy is the place for them to be this summer.

Our Panther Academy Leaders are all post-secondary students with a mandate to provide a safe, fun, and educational experience for all campers. We ensure all staff are trained in First Aid/CPR and have High Five Principles of Healthy Child Development Certification.

Panther Academy also offers Varsity Sport Camps in basketball, soccer, and flag rugby, instructed by UPEI varsity coaches, with assistance from Panther student-athletes.

For more information on how you can 'Learn and Play the Panther Way' visit pantheracademy.ca or email pantheracademy@upei.ca.

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

UPEI Athletics and Recreation congratulates Panther student-athlete and curler Veronica Smith on being selected as the Curl PEI Junior Female Athlete of the Year. Smith, a second-year business student at UPEI, received the award last week at the annual Curl PEI/ADL/Sport PEI Awards which were presented prior to Curl PEI's Annual General Meeting hosted at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club in Summerside.

The following is the award citation from the Curl PEI website: 'Smith, from Breadalbane, curls out of the Cornwall club, is a business student at UPEI, and had a very busy season. For the second year in a row, skipped teams at two national championships, played in a major international cashspiel, and also helped organize a major curling recruitment event on PEI.'

Smith's junior team won the provincial Pepsi Junior Women's Championship for the second year in a row, going through round robin play undefeated, and making a clutch last-rock draw in the final end to win the match against the Amanda MacLean team, who they also faced in last season's final. The team advanced to the Canadian Juniors, where they finished round robin play with a 2-4 win-loss record. Although they did not advance to the championship round, they finished at the top of the seeding division with a 5-4 record.

At Nationals, Smith was selected to give a gratitude speech at the banquet on behalf of the players. She is an excellent speaker, and her 'thank-you' was very well received. She was also given a special award from guest speaker and curling great Colleen Jones for being the ‘Loudest Yeller.' This award was voted by a show of hands by all who attended the National Banquet.

Teaming up as she did the previous year with three members of the MacLean team, Smith came from behind with a deuce in the ninth and a single steal in the 10th end to win the B final of the Atlantic University Curling Championships, and repeat as a representative at the CIS/CCA Canadian University Curling Championships, where her team finished with a 2-5 record.

The Smith team was one of 16 women's rinks participating in the 20th annual edition of the JSI-OVCA international Junior SuperSpiel, at a number of clubs in the Ottawa area. They finished with a 3-3 record.

Smith also put her business skills to good use as she organized the RBC Sports Day in Canada 'Try Curling' sessions, with all seven PEI curling clubs taking part, and a number of new curlers taking up the sport as club members. In addition, she volunteered at the 2014 Players Championship Grand Slam of Curling event in Summerside, and participated as a rower at the 2013 Canada Summer Games.

For more information on Panther Sport visit www.gopanthersgo.ca

Go Panthers Go!

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

In the wake of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) releasing its annual data collection on athletic scholarships valued at $14,589, 012 (14.6 per cent increase from 2011-12), the University of Prince Edward Island announced Wednesday that it provided $326,381 in athletic awards to student-athletes in 2012-13. This represents a 28.5 per cent increase over the amount provided in the 2011-12 season.

Since 2006-07, the CIS has doubled the level of scholarships provided, while UPEI has increased its scholarships by 155 per cent in the same timeframe (UPEI awarded $128,188 in 2006-07).

'We are pleased that we have been able to continue to grow the investment in our student-athletes. Athletic scholarships play a pivotal role in the attraction and retention of elite student-athletes in a very competitive region and country,' said UPEI Director of Athletics and Recreation Bill Schurman. 'In order to sustain the commitment to scholarships, we must continue the effort to engage our alumni, as well as the community at large.'

In 2012-13, the average annual scholarship granted to a CIS student-athlete was $3,107, while at UPEI, student-athletes are granted $3,863 on average. Given UPEI's tuition is amongst the lowest in the country, its student-athletes are receiving a higher percentage of tuition funding than most CIS member institutions.

In 2012-13, the gender breakdown of awards at UPEI was 65.0 per cent to female student-athletes and 35.0 per cent to male, while the CIS statistics showed a near split of 49.0 per cent female to 51.0 per cent male.

Above and beyond athletic scholarships, substantial financial support is available from universities to recognize academic success, financial need, and leadership. In addition, many organizations such as Sport Canada and the Canadian Hockey League provide significant financial assistance to CIS student-athletes.

In 2012-13, a record 73 UPEI student-athletes (37.4 per cent) achieved Academic All-Canadian status after maintaining an academic average of 80.0 per cent or higher while competing for their university, demonstrating the Canadian and Panther commitment to success in the classroom as well as the playing field.

The CIS athletic scholarship data can be found at: http://english.cis-sic.ca/information/members_info/research_stats

For more information on Panther sport visit www.gopanthersgo.ca

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

UPEI women's basketball head coach Greg Gould announced his resignation at a team meeting this week. After much reflection, Gould decided to step down for professional reasons. He recently completed his second season with the Panthers.

Gould, originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, joined the Panthers' coaching staff in the summer of 2012 when former head coach Carly Clarke left to pursue a coaching position at Ryerson University. Prior to his role at UPEI, Gould coached the Riverview High School girl's basketball team.

'When Greg took the reins of our women's basketball program, his goal was to make the team an AUS contender-and he's done just that-as the team successfully stepped it up this season and saw themselves in the AUS semi-finals,' said UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman. 'UPEI Athletics and Recreation, and especially his team, will miss his experience and dedication to the program. We thank Greg for his efforts in building the team during his time with us and wish him the very best.'

Gould has coached basketball for over 40 years, leading women's teams at the high school, post-secondary, and provincial levels, and is a NCCP Level 2 certified coach.

'I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each of my players over the past two seasons,' said Gould. 'They are great examples of true student-athletes, excelling on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.'

UPEI will begin its search for a replacement immediately. Gould's last official day as head coach is June 20, 2014.

The CARI Complex is celebrating 10 years since the opening of PEI's most comprehensive recreation facility. The facility was officially opened on June 5, 2014 and since that date they have hosted many events and been a hub of recreation for many in the Capital Area. In celebration of this anniversary, the CARI Complex will be hosting a Family Fun Day this Saturday, June 7 from 11:00 am- 4:00 pm.

This will be a fun-filled day for all with open swims, bouncy castles, Eurobobbles, face painting, balloon twisting, aqua Zumba, UFIT Aqua classes, open skates, daycamp demonstrations, a BBQ, and more. The event is free by donation with proceeds going to support the purchase of accessibility equipment for the Aquatics Department.

All are invited to join in the fun this Saturday as the CARI Complex celebrates their 10th birthday and looks forward to continuing to support recreation in the Capital Area for years to come.

For more information, visit http://www.caripei.ca/

For a gal who has been in the public eye since 1908, Anne Shirley is certainly getting a lot of attention lately. If it isn't legendary singer, Aretha Franklin, asking for her address, it's Canadian readers who just recently voted her as 'Canada's most iconic character' after a four-week online poll on CBC.ca. While Anne's story is obviously well known, readers may be surprised to learn how much more there is to the story. L.M. Montgomery and her iconic redhead have connections to more than you think.

2014, the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown conference, also marks the 100th year since the start of the First World War, a war that was the inspiration for one of the most unique works in Montgomery's writing career. Rilla of Ingleside was the final book in the original series about Anne Shirley, and unlike the others, it was written with a very specific purpose-to shed light on the way of life in Canada during the First World War, with details taken straight from Montgomery's own wartime experiences. It is an intriguing and revealing work about Canada's history that has never garnered the level of attention it deserves.

An upcoming conference looks to change this and to open up discussions about war, conflict, the Canadian Home Front, gender roles, and more. 'L.M. Montgomery and War,' the 11th biennial conference of the L.M. Montgomery Institute of UPEI is set for June 25-29, and all are invited to join in the conversation. Keynote speakers include distinguished historian Jonathan Vance; Montgomery scholar, LMMI founder, and former UPEI President Elizabeth Epperly; and Canada Research Chair Irene Gammel. In addition to the full conference program, there will be a public exhibition at the Confederation Centre Public Library entitled 'The Canadian Home Front: L.M. Montgomery's Reflections on The First World War,' curated by Dr. Laura Robinson of the Royal Military College; a fantastic one-woman play, 'Maud of Leaskdale' at the Carrefour Theatre; and much, much more.

'This is truly a conference with something for everyone. Those interested in Canadian history, war history, and women's history will have tons of topics to choose from, but it goes deeper than that,' says conference coordinator, Elizabeth DeBlois.'The Great War is a part of the family experiences of almost all of us. Montgomery has given us a look at a chapter in our common past that has been somewhat forgotten.'

The conference is connected to many other events this year. The 50th season for 'Anne of Green Gables - The Musical' is being celebrated and Elizabeth Epperly is curating an exhibition for the Confederation Centre of the Arts, entitled 'This Anne Place: Anne of Green Gables as Idea, Book and Musical.' The LMMI is also inviting those with stories and/or collectibles related to Montgomery and/or the Canadian Home Front and the First World War to share them at a special digitization session offered in conjunction with the Public Library exhibition on Saturday, June 28. Collected stories and items will be made part of an online digital archive.

For more information on the conference or to register, go to the LMMI's website http://www.lmmontgomery.ca or contact conference coordinator, Elizabeth Deblois at lmmconference@upei.ca

Dr. Adam Fenech, director of UPEI's Climate Research Lab, will tour Prince Edward Island communities this July to give demonstrations of the Coastal Impacts Visualization Environment tool, better known as CLIVE. Dr. Fenech will lead discussions about coastal erosion and sea-level rise, and the risk to homes, cottages, roads, and communities.

CLIVE allows users to manipulate a 3-D map of Prince Edward Island with a video game controller. It simulates erosion and sea-level rise over the next 90 years, and shows their impact on Prince Edward Island infrastructure.

Attendees will be encouraged to share ideas about how we might best adapt to these conditions, and through CLIVE, view local areas that may be affected.

The schedule includes:

· Victoria-the Old School House on Victoria Road, Tuesday, July 8
· Souris-St. Mary's Parish Hall, Wednesday, July 9
· Abram-Village-Evangeline Recreation Centre, Tuesday, July 15
· Montague-Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre, Thursday, July 17
· North Rustico-Lion's Club, Tuesday, July 22
· Charlottetown-Beaconsfield Carriage House, Wednesday, July 23
· Summerside-Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club, Thursday, July 24
· Alberton-Community Centre, Wednesday, July 30

Each session begins at 7:00 pm and will run for approximately one hour. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

The events are sponsored by the PEI Department of Environment, Labour, and Justice, and by the Climate Research Lab at the University of Prince Edward Island.

For more information, visit upei.ca/climate.

For more information:

Dave Atkinson, Research Communications Officer, UPEI
(902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca

As Prince Edward Island's iconic lupine flowers burst into blooms of pink, purple, and white, snap a photo and send it to researchers at the University of Prince Edward Island. Dr. Karen Samis, assistant professor of biology, is using photos from the public to help answer questions about genetic diversity and distribution-and why it is that purple flowers are much more abundant than white or pink.

Dig into your photo archive for images of lupine flowers, then visit upei.ca/lupine. Upload your photo and tell us approximately where and when you took it. The site is mobile friendly and allows you to send images right from your phone.

Anecdotal evidence says purple lupines were the first to arrive on Prince Edward Island, with other colours coming after. Your contribution to this project can help answer questions about genetic diversity and distribution.

For more information, or to submit your photos, visit upei.ca/lupine

For information:
Dave Atkinson, Research Communications Officer, UPEI
(902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca

The UPEI men's hockey Panthers will host archrival UNB Reds for their 2014-15 season home opener on Saturday, October 11, as released by the AUS earlier this week.

Head Coach Forbes MacPerson is excited about the season ahead. 'There's no better way to kickoff the season than to open against a perennial powerhouse, coached by fellow Islander Gardiner MacDougall. We have a strong nucleus, highlighted by returning all-stars, defencemen Reggie Traccitto and forward Chris Desousa,' said MacPherson. 'We have had a great recruiting season bolstered by two QMJHL stars and home grown talent in Darcy Ashley and Brent Andrews. We promise to have a fast aggressive ‘in your face' team who are determined to reach the CIS Championship.'

The Panthers schedule includes 14 regular season home games. New this season, the Panthers will host three PEI games away from the MacLauchlan Arena, starting with the October 11 home opener, which will be staged at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. The Panthers will also play one game in Kings and Prince counties, with those details announced at a later date.

'We are pleased with the cooperation of coach MacPherson, and the CARI Centre, to be sharing the Panthers across Prince Edward Island in regular season play,' said UPEI Athletic and Recreation Director Bill Schurman. 'With our home opener scheduled on the Thanksgiving weekend, it provides the opportunity to move to a larger venue like the Eastlink Centre. Our goal is to attract 3,000 fans to experience one of the best rivalries in AUS hockey. The Kings and Prince county games will allow the Panthers to support local charities and community causes which will be announced in the very near future,' he added.

Panther season ticket packages are now on sale and are offered for adults, seniors, students, youth, and families. Season ticket packages include all 12 games played in Charlottetown. Season ticket holders will be provided with the option to purchase the Kings and Prince county single game tickets prior to public sale.

In 2013-14, the Panthers AUS regular season record was 15 wins, 10 losses, and three overtime losses, finishing in fourth-place overall. The team bowed out in round one of playoffs to the Saint Mary's Huskies.

The Panthers excelled both on-and-off the ice with one CIS All-Canadian, three AUS all-stars, nine Academic All-Canadians, and four players who were members of Team Canada and won the World Universiade Games this past December.

In the coming weeks, the Panthers will release additional recruits, an impressive exhibition schedule, and more details on 2014-15 games.

For more information, or to purchase season tickets, visit Panther Central (Sports Centre) at (902) 566-0368 or panthercentral@upei.ca, or visit www.gopanthersgo.ca.

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

UPEI Men's Hockey Head Coach Forbes MacPherson is pleased to announce the addition of goaltender Connor Wilkinson for the 2014-15 season.

Wilkinson, 6'2 and 185lbs from Ajax, Ontario, starred for past two seasons with the Dieppe Commandos of the Maritime Hockey League. His outstanding play helped earn the Commandos a berth in the Kent Cup final, losing in six games to the Truro Bearcats. Wilkinson finished the playoffs with a .911 save percentage and 2.82 goals against average. He was named regular season and playoff MVP for Dieppe.

'Connor is big goalie who plays a very steady, relaxed style in the net and it seems like the bigger the game, the better he plays,' said MacPherson. 'In the MHL playoffs, he literally stole game after game for Dieppe and just about carried them to a league title. Connor has matured into a very strong, confident goalie and we are super excited to have him join our program.'

Wilkinson is looking forward to getting enrolled in UPEI this fall and feels very good about his decision to join the Panthers. 'The decision to come to UPEI was easy for me. It's a great school. The team plays in front of sellout crowds and they play a very responsible defensive style which is ideal for goalies,' said Wilkinson, who says he models his style of play after Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes. 'I don't try to be one of those goalies who makes the highlight reel save. I am at my best when I keep square with the shooter, stay big in the net, and right on my angles.'

With the graduation of Panther Wayne Savage to the pro ranks, Wilkinson will join fourth-year player Mavric Parks to make up the team's goaltending tandem. Wilkinson said his plan is to come to camp ready to play and to do everything he can to be part of a winning team. He added, 'If you look at the recent history of UPEI, they have had the best goaltending in the AUS. I want to continue that competitive culture. I want to work with (goalie coach) Jamie Blanchard and Mavric to make sure whoever is playing in nets, our team has a chance to win every night.'

Director of Athletics and Recreation Bill Schurman welcomed the addition of Wilkinson to the Panther fold. 'I am very proud that Connor has chosen to be part of the student-athlete family at the University of Prince Edward Island,' said Schurman. 'I am very familiar with the Dieppe Commandos and the type of character individuals that develop in their system. Connor Wilkinson is a tremendous goaltender and an even better person. He will be great addition to our campus.'

In the coming weeks, the UPEI Panthers will release the names of additional recruits, an impressive exhibition schedule, and more details on the October 11th home opener at the Eastlink Centre. For more information, or to purchase season tickets, visit Panther Central (the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre), phone 566-0368, e-mail panthercentral@upei.ca, or visit www.gopanthersgo.ca.

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991
annear@upei.ca