Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship

Brian Maxwell was a successful distance runner and entrepreneur, as co-founder of Power Bar with his wife Jennifer.  He attended Victoria Park Secondary School from 1968-72.  As a distance runner, basketball guard and wrestler at Victoria Park, Brian had a determined focus and dedication to be the best at his chosen sport.

Brian excelled in Track & Field, long distance, and Cross-Country running.  He was an OFSAA champion and Canadian junior, juvenile and senior champion.  While on scholarship at University of Berkeley, Brian attained a degree in Architecture. He was the winner of many international marathons (third place in Boston Marathon and twice at Ottawa) and a member of the 1980 Canadian Olympic Marathon team.

Later in life he found out that a defective heart valve had been robbing him the entire time of an estimated one to three per cent of aerobic power.  This would have translated his best marathon at Seaside of 2:14.43 (fifth fastest ever Canadian) to a handicap of close to four minutes, thus making him a 2:10.43 marathoner (only Jerome Drayton was faster at 2:10.06).

Tragically, Brian suffered a heart attack in 2004 that took his life.

The Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to six student-athletes that will be continuing their post-secondary education at a Canadian College or University. Three males and three females will each be awarded a scholarship of $5,000. Preference shall be given to a student whose character is reflective of qualities that Brian Maxwell demonstrated in his life: honesty, integrity, compassion and an unwavering quest to accomplish the best they can, academically and athletically, while supporting his fellow team members.

Application Process

• Teacher-Coaches are asked to promote the Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship and where applicable, identify possible recipients at their school who meet the criteria and encourage the student-candidate to apply by the deadline below.
• The application deadline is 11:59 PM on June 09, 2025
• Applications MUST be emailed to brianmaxwellscholarship@gmail.com, and their application must be sent as ONE Applicants are to follow the instructions exactly as indicated on the application forms. Failure to do so will result in the application not being accepted
• OFSAA Staff will select a date for the Scholarship Presentation to take place (likely the end of July to mid-August).

Selection Process

• Applications are reviewed by an Independent Committee as set up by the OFSAA Sport Coordinator in charge of the BMMS.
• Confirmation of the six (6) recipients will be approved by the OFSAA Staff.

Post-Ceremony

• Scholarship recipients must provide Proof of Enrollment from their post-secondary institution before funds are released to them.
• If for any reason, the recipient is not attending school for that year their award will be deferred for ONE year upon approval from BMMS Committee and OFSAA Staff.
• If this is not possible, the remaining scholarship is transferred to the next eligible.