Ernie Gare believed young people were our most important resource and he dedicated his life to teaching them. In 1964, he started the first University Athletic Scholarship in Canada for hockey and skiing. For ten years, the scholarship programmes flourished under his guidance, graduating 65 athletes. Then, in 1979, Ernie Gare was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (A.L.S and died February 22, 1981, aged 52. In 1982, following his death, a group of prominent citizens reinstated the Ernie Gare Scholarship Society to continue Ernie’s legacy of helping young athletes to continue their education. It is now the longest-running scholarship program in Canada.
The Ernie Gare Athletic Scholarship Society will award scholarships to deserving athletes who meet all criteria. These scholarships are awarded to assist local graduating students (Dogwood Certificate minimum) of LV Rogers High School, Mt. Sentinel Secondary School, J.V. Humphries High School, and Salmo Secondary School in meeting the cost of their educational endeavors at the post secondary level (university, college, vocational school We value equity, diversity and inclusion and encourage all athletes to apply.