On May 11, 2011, former Mustangs basketball player Leslie Maureen Petter (BA’86, BEd’89) passed away at the age of 47. Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer one year ago and was very courageous in her second battle with cancer, having survived leukemia and a bone marrow transplant at age 24.

In establishing the Leslie Petter Women’s Basketball Memorial Award we honour the generosity and strength of a gifted coach and powerful teacher, and encourage others in that same spirit of giving to ensure her legacy inspires the next generation of student-athletes.

The Leslie Petter Women’s Basketball Memorial Award will be given to a full-time, female undergraduate or graduate student in any year of any degree program at Western, including the affiliated University Colleges, who makes a significant playing contribution to the women’s basketball team. As per OUA and CIS regulations, an entering student-athlete needs a minimum admission average of 80% and a non-entering student has to maintain an in-course average of 70%. The recipient must also exemplify an excellent work ethic, knowledge of the game, reliability of execution and a tremendous amount of heart.