University of Victoria soccer players are keeping alive the memory of one of the team’s beloved captains by creating an intergenerational legacy.
The UVic Vikes men’s and women’s soccer teams are celebrating the life of former men’s team captain Mackenzie Rigg with the fourth annual Vikes Kick Cancer event.
Rigg, who was diagnosed with a rare form of glioblastoma (brain cancer) in the summer of 2020, remained active and positive throughout the difficult time with the support of his family and team. He was team captain from 2017-2019 and graduated from the Vikes program in 2019. His teammates describe him as kind, funny, supportive and someone who would always put his teammates over himself. He was an academic all-Canadian and a Canada West silver medalist in 2016, a leader and efficiently guided his team through many wins and some losses.
Former UVic women’s team player Billie Shostak was a part of setting up this year’s fundraiser.
“We faced a dilemma of wanting to get as many people involved as possible, as we wanted to show Mackenzie as much support as possible, but the COVID regulations made it practically impossible to plan something on a large scale,” said Shostak.
The event then became virtual, with participants running, walking or biking five kilometres to show their support. The virtual run solved the inability to host a large-scale event and allowed people to tag the fundraiser’s page on the Vikes Kick Cancer Instagram for Rigg to document all the support.
Rigg, who participated in the run, saw all the community’s love and support for him. The initiative permeated globally, touching hearts in other corners of the earth through social media.
The event concluded with Rigg and girlfriend Trinity Kettyls running together, with the rest of the men’s and women’s teams waiting at the finish line to cheer them.
The initial goal of raising $5,000 was surpassed and the organizers had to pivot to increase the donation limit. By the end of the first year of fundraising, they raised $80,000 for the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada. Since 2023, fundraising events and tributes honouring Rigg have surpassed $180,000.
There is no cure for glioblastoma and the survival rate is typically 12 months.
“After diagnosis, Mackenzie battled for 19 months,” said Shostak. “So our mission was to continue to raise money in his honour so we impact the survival rate.”
Rigg passed away last September at the age of 26, but his former teammates and newcomers are adamant about remembering the team captain and his contributions to each of their lives. A research grant was also established in Rigg’s name for the rare form of cancer he had, and to this day both men’s and women’s teams are carrying on the Vikes Kick Cancer run to share his story and celebrate his life on and off the field.
The loss of Rigg was significant to his teammates, friends, and family, but his legacy lives on through the Vikes Kick Cancer event.
Anyone interested in celebrating the life of one of UVIC’s most prolific college team captains can join the Vikes Kick Cancer weekend starting on Oct. 13 to 15. Kids’ admission is free with numerous activities available, and young soccer teams are encouraged to come out and join. If you can’t make it, participants are encouraged to run as much as they can and post it to social media and tag @vikeskickcancer, where all the proceeds will go to cancer research and improving the lives of those affected.
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