Bursary

Kassandra Kaulius Memorial Scholarship

Kassandra Kaulius, 22, was a dedicated student at the University of the Fraser Valley, working two jobs while studying to become a teacher. A gifted athlete, she had earned full softball scholarships to two U.S. colleges and played the sport for 17 years.

On May 3, 2011, after coaching and playing a game in Surrey, BC, Kassandra was struck and killed by a drunk driver while turning left on a green light at 152nd Street and 64th Avenue. The van, speeding through a red light, hit her car at 103 km/h, sending it airborne and scattering wreckage 1,000 feet. She was just three blocks from home.

Kassandra played for teams including the White Rock Renegades, Delta Heat, Poco Ravens, and Surrey Storm, where she also coached. Known for her work ethic, kindness, and team spirit, she gave 100% in everything she did.

To honour her memory, her family established the Kassandra Kaulius Scholarship, awarded to students who embody her dedication to academics, sports, and community.

Deadline for submissions: Submissions must be in the hands of the Kaulius family by May 15th annually.

Kassandra Kaulius Memorial Scholarship Application

The Doc’s Blues Women’s Fastpitch Softball Bursary

The Doc’s Blues Women’s Fastpitch Softball Bursary was created to honour the legacy of the last Women’s Fastpitch Softball club team to represent Canada at a World Championship and provide opportunities for future generations to realize their dreams through sport. Read the full story of our 1978 World Softball Championships silver medalist in the application form.

A bursary of $1,000.00 will be awarded to one successful applicant annually to be applied to their cost of education.

Eligibility Requirements:

Currently registered with Softball BC
Enrolled in a post-secondary institution and not on a full scholarship (academic or athletic). For the purpose of this bursary, post-secondary schooling is recognized as attending a university, college, or vocational school.

To Apply:

Complete and submit the Doc’s Blues Bursary Application, write your own Letter of Introduction, and submit 3 Letters of Recommendation, one from each of the following: a past coach, a current or past teammate and one other from a relevant person who helped you with your softball or educational pursuits.

Download the application: The Doc's Blues Bursary Application

The deadline for application is midnight, September 1st annually must be sent via email by the Softball BC office.

Gordon McDonald/Margo and Dorene Thoms Bursary

Eligibility Requirements:

Current active and registered umpires in British Columbia who are attending a recognized post-secondary institution.
Son or daughter of a registered BC Umpire.
If the applicant is a currently registered BC Umpire, they must have been registered for the two years preceding the application.
If the applicant is a minor umpire, then they need only be registered in the current year.
A recipient can only receive the bursary on a one-time basis. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply when they meet the eligibility criteria.

Deadline for submission is August 1 of each year.
Successful applicants will be notified before October 15th each year and are encouraged to attend the Softball BC Awards Banquet to receive their bursary.

Applications and supporting documents can be submitted via email to Provincial Umpire In Chief - provincialuic@softball.bc.ca

Applicant Checklist: (please initial to acknowledge completion) Application deadline is August 1 Complete enclosed application form Submit with your application the following items:

Proof of attending any form of post-secondary education (photocopy is sufficient)
A Letter of Reference - may be from teacher, dean, DUIC or another supervisory role

Download the Application: McDonald-Thoms-Application.

TIMELINES
Feb 15 - May 1 Application available on line & forms sent to every umpire clinic
August 1 submissions must be received at the Softball BC office. late submissions can be sent, but may not be considered depending on number of applications received by the deadline.
Sept 1 Ballots and other information emailed to voting members
Oct 1 Deadline for responses which go to the Softball BC office
Oct 15 Winners notified and monies mailed to winners

Gordon McDonald/Margo and Dorene Thoms Bursary is funded by the Gordon MacDonald/Margo and Dorene Thoms Fund. Click here for more details about the fund.

WHO WAS GORDON MCDONALD
Gordon McDonald was raised in Vancouver near South Memorial Park. He was involved in sports his entire life. His softball career went back to 1938. While in the service he was instrumental in organizing softball. Upon his return to civilian life in 1944, Gordon started coaching Eliers Jeweler’s Basketball Club. His teams went on to win 14 National Championships into the 1950’s. His basketball team attended two Pan American Games winning a silver medal at the first one. Gordon was a top ranked basketball official and worked basketball at the Pan American Games. He was the long time allocator of The Vancouver and District Basketball Officials Association serving that post well into the 1970’s.

Gordon’s greatest love however was Softball. He served as UIC for over 20 years for the Province of British Columbia. He was the long time allocator of the Vancouver Umpire’s Association and was the chief educator in the province, conducting rule clinics around the province. Mr. McDonald had a great feel for officiating. He understood the gray areas of the rule book. His common sense approach to officiating made him one of the top umpires for many years. His rule knowledge was unchallenged. He was always available to answer the “what if’s” of the game, many times taking calls late into the night.

Gordon suffered a heart attack while officiating a game in a recreational women’s league. He was sixty-one years old. He is survived by his wife Edith and four boys.
In 1982 Gordon Cameron McDonald was made a Life Member of Softball BC and in 1995 Gordon’s career was completed with his induction into the Softball BC Hall of Fame.

WHO WAS MARGO THOMS
Margo was the daughter of Dorene Thoms who was a former Softball BC Board Member in the 1970’s and active umpire. Margo played softball in Burnaby in the Y.M.C.A. program as well as with the Burnaby Minor Softball Association (organized by Dorene and Jack Best). Margo played junior ball as a pitcher and was captain of the Kirby Misfits. As a member of the Kirby’s, Margo helped run the Softball BC Lottery for the first two years of its inception. Dorene and Jack Best were the originators of the first lottery program.

Margo volunteered many hours to Softball including the 1977 National Tournament at South Memorial Park. Her entire life was built around the love of softball. She was struck down in her early life while traveling to a softball game in Haney. Dorene and Margo had a close relationship with Gordon and it was that relationship that prompted Dorene to have all donations in lieu of flowers go to the bursary fund.

WHO WAS DORENE THOMS
Dorene was involved with softball at all levels. She umpired for many years and most people will tell you she took no guff. She coached Minor and Senior softball. Her junior team the Kirby Misfits was one of the better junior teams in the late ‘70’s. During the late 1970’s Dorene served as a Board member. She was not afraid to speak up and spent countless hours defending and backing the officials of the Province. Dorene sponsored Major Women’s softball during the early 1980’s through her business Hiker’s. The team was one of the strongest in the country but usually finished second to the Alpha Sport Dynasty.

Since 1982 she nurtured and administrated the Scholarship fund. She was a dedicated lady who ‘told it like it was’ or as Dandy Dan says ‘told it the way she thinks it was’. She received the Hall of Fame Special Recognition award at the 1995 AGM. Shortly after that AGM Dorene was admitted to hospital where she died November 15, 1995 after a lengthy battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Elmer of forty-eight years, son Mark and daughter Karen.

WHAT IS THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND?
The fund offers up to three bursaries yearly of $1,000.00 each. All registered umpires who are attending a recognized post-secondary institute are eligible to apply. Sons and daughters of a registered umpire may also apply for the fund.

To date in excess of $25,000 has been paid out to help with the education of individuals from the Softball B.C. umpire community.

Bursary

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