Tuckwood comes to UFV from the University of British Columbia, where he spent the past 10 years as Director of Development for athletics and recreation. In this leadership role, Tuckwood spearheaded fundraising initiatives for UBC Athletics which generated millions of dollars to expand infrastructure and increase student-athlete scholarships. He has also helped to further develop an athlete exchange program which seeks to improve the student-athlete experience through global engagement.
Tuckwood, originally from Waterloo, Ont., has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and has completed a number of courses in sports marketing, fundraising, and leadership/coaching. He previously worked as communications coordinator for the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation, as a public relations account executive for Adculture Group, and as sports editor at the Guelph (Ont.) Tribune.
“We are elated to have Steve joining us as the new director,” said Jody Gordon, UFV’s vice president, students. “His knowledge and experience in fundraising for athletics will prove invaluable as we continue to build towards a sustainable model for the future. And his understanding of the importance of building a strong campus recreation program that engages our students and faculty/staff along with our surrounding communities will positively contribute to our vibrant and healthy campus environment.”
“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead the team at UFV,” said Tuckwood. “The program has a history of success and with the great students and student-athletes coming out of the Fraser Valley, I know we can continue to be competitive. On the campus recreation side I am excited to see where the program can go and how it can serve the students of UFV.”
Tuckwood commences his new role at UFV on March 30.
The UFV Athletic department has achieved significant on-field success in recent years. The Cascades basketball and soccer teams moved up from the college ranks to the Canada West conference of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) in 2006, and UFV has made CIS national championship appearances in men’s basketball, women’s basketball and women’s soccer. The women’s soccer program won the school’s first CIS national medal, a bronze, in 2010, and the women’s basketball squad earned a national bronze of its own in 2014.
The Cascades also celebrated Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) national titles in women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s golf in 2013.