Kodiaks Athletics receives $100K gift from Matteottis
GIFT TO BE USED FOR RECRUITMENT, AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS
A significant gift was given to the Lethbridge College Kodiaks Athletics department on Tuesday.
The college received a donation of $100,000 from Flora Matteotti, on behalf of her late-husband Val.
The multi-faceted donation will support the newly-named Val and Flora Matteotti Kodiaks recruitment fund, Kodiaks Team of the Year Award, and athletic scholarships.
The Kodiaks have also announced the successful completion of last month’s “My Kodiaks Moments” giving campaign which raised over $10,000, and was kickstarted by a $5,000 contribution from the Matteottis.
Colin Mueller, long-time friend and accountant for the Matteottis, said giving back to the community has always been important to them.
“The focus on youth, students and athletics is so important to them to help develop well-rounded citizens,” said Mueller.
Flora Matteotti’s niece, Alberta St. Amand, was in attendance and thinks that leaving such a legacy with the Matteotti name is great for her aunt and uncle because of their love for youth and what sports can teach a young person.
“It helps the youth throughout their lifetime by playing sports,” said St. Amand. “With the donation, it will help them continue their education, and that means a lot to my aunt and uncle as well.”
Lethbridge College President Paula Burns said it is touching that Flora Matteotti and her latehusband Val have chosen to invest in the Kodiaks as much as they have over the years.
“It is something that is going to provide that opportunity for more top student athletes to play within our program,” said Burns. “Our coaches are thrilled to be able to recruit, and to have the support of this donation which will last over many years.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Matteottis’ gift that led to the construction of the college’s physical education building and the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.
Kodiak Athletics presented a specially made jersey with the number 30 on it for Flora in honour of her and her latehusband’s contributions over 30 years.
Todd Caughlin, Lethbridge College manager of Kodiak Athletics, said the college doesn’t offer any international student waiver scholarships, so the significant contribution from the Matteottis will help towards that.
“For the student athletes to be able to play and not have to worry about the additional stresses that are involved in being a student athlete,” said Caughlin. “For them to have the ability to get more athletic aid in scholarships that way means everything.”
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