The gift of sport: Mackenzie Rigg’s spirit lives on through endowment

In a poignant tribute to former University of Victoria men's soccer player Mackenzie Rigg, who tragically lost his battle with brain cancer on March 11, 2022, his parents, Chris and Barbara Rigg, have generously donated $100,000 to an endowment in their son's name.

The Mackenzie Rigg endowment, kickstarted by former UVic men's soccer coach Bruce Wilson, supports an annual award of approximately $6000 for an undergraduate or graduate student who embodies Rigg's remarkable qualities and contributions to the men's soccer program. Thanks to the Rigg family's generosity, their son's legacy, characterized by his unwavering work ethic, leadership, and commitment to team unity, will continue to inspire and positively impact future generations of Vikes student-athletes.

"Soccer was a huge part of Mackenzie's life from the age of three, and therefore it was a huge part of our lives. He identified as a soccer player and a Vike; he was so dedicated and never missed a practice; soccer and the team always came first," said Rigg's parents, both UVic alumni.

"Mackenzie was very family-oriented, and the team and his teammates were his family. Because of that, it seemed appropriate that we continue the tradition and give back to the program that was such a big part of his life," they continued.

Remembering Mackenzie

Rigg left an indelible impact on UVic and the soccer community which is evident in the Vikes Kick Cancer fundraiser that continues to raise money for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Now, the Rigg family will continue building on their son's impact through their gift.  

"Mackenzie's impact was never about how many goals he scored or how successful he was in competition; his impact was on the team culture. He was determined to make everyone feel like part of the team, and hopefully, the recipient of this award will continue to honour that and positively impact team culture for future years," said C. Rigg.

The Mackenzie Rigg Endowment

The terms of the award reflect what the Rigg's felt were Mackenzie's greatest assets, including a strong work ethic and commitment to both Vikes soccer and to the greater community at UVic, the demonstration of a positive attitude, the natural ability to lead, and a dedication to a strong and supportive team culture.

Rigg's former teammate Will Adams, who has helped lead the Vikes Kick Cancer fundraiser for the past two years, received the award in 2023 and is a perfect example why this award was created and the impact it will have for years to come. 

"Having been teammates with Mackenzie for a number of years, I experienced firsthand the great contributions he made to our team and the overall community. An annual award that honours his life is a great way to preserve his impact and extend it to the coming generations of UVic athletes. Financial awards are always such a blessing to student-athletes, but this one will always be a bit more special as it speaks to the legacy of a true Vike," said Adams.  
 
As the deserving recipients of this prestigious award continue to exemplify Rigg's exceptional qualities, they will not only honour his memory but also inspire others to embrace the ideals that made him a cherished member of the Vikes soccer family.

"Things have come full circle with the Vikes. Mackenzie put so much into the team and gained so much—now we want to give back to that and continue to support the program," said B. Rigg.

While the Rigg's gift to the Department of Wellness, Recreation and Athletics is about honouring their son's legacy, it is also a commitment to student-athletes of the future.

"Mackenzie may no longer be with us, but his spirit lives on. We're grateful for the generosity of the Rigg family and hope that this award serves as a beacon of his memory and encourages future recipients to embrace the qualities that made Mackenzie truly special," said Director of Varsity Performance Sport, Nick Clarke.