Katie Butts announced as UNB recipient of AUS PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award

(HALIFAX, N.S.) Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce UNB REDS women's basketball student-athlete Katie Butts as the University of New Brunswick's recipient of the AUS PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award.

Beginning this year, Atlantic University Sport is recognizing one student-athlete from each member university as a recipient of the prestigious award, highlighting outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship.

Each recipient receives a $500 scholarship in recognition of their accomplishments.

Established in 1985, the James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award is one of Atlantic University Sport's premier student-athlete honours.

A fifth-year student-athlete, Butts has distinguished herself through her excellence in athletics, academics, leadership and community service.

A leader on and off the court for the UNB REDS women's basketball team, Butts helped guide the REDS to their first AUS championship in 27 years this season before leading the team to a silver-medal finish at the U SPORTS Women's Final 8 national championship tournament.

A two-time AUS First Team All-Star, Butts was named the 2026 AUS Championship Most Valuable Player and an AUS Championship All-Star. She also earned U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian honours and was named a U SPORTS Championship All-Star.

One of the most accomplished players in program history, Butts finishes her career as the UNB REDS women's basketball program's all-time leading rebounder with 776 career rebounds, ranking seventh in AUS history.

Butts has also excelled in the classroom throughout her university career as a four-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian and Dean's List recipient.

Beyond her athletic and academic achievements, Butts has made a tremendous impact through her leadership and community engagement.

A two-time recipient of the AUS Student-Athlete Community Service Award, Butts became the first women's basketball player in conference history to earn the honour in consecutive seasons. In 2025, she went on to receive the national U SPORTS Sylvia Sweeney Award.

Butts was co-president of the UNB Athletes' Council and has played a leading role in numerous community initiatives throughout her university career.

She developed, proposed and implemented the REDS' Send A Kid to Camp initiative, which raises funds to help children attend REDS Sport Camps. Through merchandise sales and fundraising efforts, the program has provided camp opportunities to dozens of children who might not otherwise have been able to participate.

Butts also helped revive the Read with the REDS program, connecting UNB student-athletes with elementary school students throughout the Fredericton community. Through the initiative, student-athletes have visited more than 25 classrooms and read to more than 600 students.

In addition, she volunteers as an English tutor for newcomers and refugees, serves as a community basketball referee and has taken a leadership role in the REDS' U10 girls basketball program, helping introduce young athletes to the sport through skill development and competition.

This year, Butts was also recognized as UNB's Female Athlete of the Year.

Katie Butts becomes the 10th student-athlete to be announced as a 2026 AUS PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award recipient. Previously announced recipients include Acadia's Leah Adams, Cape Breton's Ellie Lancaster, Dalhousie's Melina Collins, Memorial's Norm Burry, Mount Allison's Walker Ratte, Saint Mary's Charlie Da Fonseca, STFX's Katie Murphy, St. Thomas's Katie Sweeney and Université de Moncton's Yannick Boudreau. The final recipient will be announced tomorrow.

James Bayer taught education and physical education at both high school and university levels. He served as supervisor and consultant for the Nova Scotia Department of Culture, Recreation and Fitness.

At Acadia University, he served as dean of recreation and physical education and as director of athletics from 1978-1985. As an administrator in the AUAA and the CIAU, he was a key player in the establishment of intercollegiate athletic policy.

The PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award is presented annually by PepsiCo Beverages Canada.