Dr. Gary Greenberg (MD '77) commits a transformational gift of $3.1 million to support student-athlete scholarships

Recognized for his vital contributions to student-athlete health throughout his long-standing career as a leader in sport medicine in Ottawa, Dr. Gary Greenberg (MD'77) has now made a historic $3.1 million gift to fund student-athlete scholarships over the next ten years.

Dr. Greenberg (MD' 77) has been a quietly influential figure in the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees athletics department for over 45 years, continuously serving as the team doctor for the men's football and hockey teams since 1980. That same year, he paved the way for widespread access to care by founding the uOttawa Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy Clinic.

"In my 46th year of being a sport medicine physician and team physician, I am aware of how difficult it is to balance the demands of a daily schedule which includes time for university classes, sport practices, competitions and off-season workouts, and part-time work. This balance can also come with difficulties financially managing all those tasks," explains Dr. Greenberg.

"By providing scholarship support, I hope it will allow the student-athletes to better focus on their academic and sport activities and relieve some of the financial burden off their shoulders."

A member of the Gee-Gees Football Hall of Fame since his induction in 2014, Greenberg had previously established two scholarships for student-athletes. Those who have been the beneficiaries of his care as a doctor, as a mentor to young medical professionals, as colleagues, or as a scholarship recipient have shared their memories of Dr. Greenberg's compassion and professionalism.

"Through countless injuries, recoveries, and championship moments, I have witnessed his unparalleled dedication to ensuring our teams could compete at their best," recounts longtime Gee-Gees women's volleyball coach, Lionel Woods. "Beyond medical expertise, Dr. Greenberg's kindness and mentorship have left a lasting impact on generations of athletes, coaches, and athletic therapy teams."

 "This gift will support the talented student-athletes here on campus and it will act as a magnet for coaches to help recruit the best student-athletes to uOttawa," says University of Ottawa President Jacques Frémont.  

"I hope the support I am giving will encourage other alumni to support, in whatever way they can, our well-deserving student-athletes as they work to achieve their goals," adds Greenberg.

The gift was announced at the Gee-Gees Annual Awards Banquet, which celebrated one of the most successful athletic seasons in University of Ottawa history.

"2024-25 will be a monumental year in the nearly 145-year history of athletics at the University of Ottawa because of the incredible accomplishments of our current student-athletes being underscored by Dr. Greenberg's generosity. This gift and its impact on our teams will propel our success into the next decades," says Darren Cates, Senior Director of Recreation and Varsity Sports.

The gift is the largest donation ever received in support of Gee-Gees Varsity Athletics and among the 10 largest gifts received from an alumnus in the history of the University of Ottawa.