Katie Sweeney announced as St. Thomas recipient of AUS PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award 

(HALIFAX, N.S.) Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce St. Thomas Tommies women's hockey student-athlete Katie Sweeney as St. Thomas University'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 arts student from Tecumseh, Ont., Sweeney has distinguished herself through her excellence in athletics, academics, leadership and community service. 

A goaltender with the St. Thomas Tommies women's hockey team, Sweeney was named the 2025-26 AUS Most Valuable Player and an AUS First Team All-Star after posting a U SPORTS-leading .955 save percentage and a conference-best 1.39 goals-against average during the regular season. She started 17 games for the Tommies, helping lead the team to a third-place finish in the conference standings. 

Sweeney was also named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, becoming the first women's hockey player in St. Thomas program history to earn the national honour. 

In addition to her athletic success, Sweeney was recognized this year as the recipient of St. Thomas Athletics' Cathy Wadden Commitment Award, presented annually to a student-athlete who demonstrates strong character, academic achievement and a commitment to the ideals of university athletics. 

Beyond the ice, Sweeney has made a significant impact within the St. Thomas and Fredericton communities. As president of the St. Thomas Student-Athlete Advisory Group, she has helped foster communication between student-athletes and athletics administration while supporting community outreach initiatives and promoting academic and athletic excellence. 

She has been actively involved in numerous community initiatives, including the Tommies Food Drive, environmental cleanup projects, fundraising efforts in support of Grace House, reading and physical activity programming at Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School and hockey development opportunities for young athletes. 

Sweeney has also volunteered extensively as a goalie coach through local hockey camps and individual mentorship opportunities, helping young athletes build both their skills and confidence on and off the ice. 

Sweeney becomes the eighth student-athlete to be announced as a 2026 AUS PepsiCo James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award recipient. The remaining three recipients will be announced over the coming days. 

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.