Nancy Dingwall Recognized as Honorary Chair of the 2021 U Sports Women’s National Soccer Championship

Oct 29, 2021

Nancy Dingwall started her career with the Cape Breton University Athletics team in 1980 and served as the Capers’ physiotherapist until her retirement in 2013. During these 33 years of service, Nancy worked with student-athletes as well as community members through the Max Bell Health and Counselling Centre. 

“I always thought I was the luckiest physiotherapist because I had the best clients,” says Nancy. “The students were motivated and healthy and appreciated the work we did with them. I can’t think of a single student I didn’t enjoy working with.”

In honour of her continued support and service to the CBU Capers, Nancy is being recognized as the Honorary Chair of the 2021 U Sports Women’s National Soccer Championship, hosted by Cape Breton University from November 18-21.

Nancy who represented CBU on the national stage at U Sports (then CIS) meetings and committees often accompanied the teams to national championships throughout the years and served as the volunteer physiotherapist lead at the Canada Games in 1987. She says it was an honour and privilege to be part of the CBU family throughout her career. 

One of the highlights of Nancy’s career was watching the 2007 Women’s Soccer team win a national gold medal on home turf. That legendary year was the last time CBU hosted a U Sports national championship, so it is incredibly fitting to come full circle and have Nancy serve as the 2021 Honorary Chair. 

Although she spent most of her time working with student-athletes, Nancy became a vital member of the campus community as a whole, and says whether she was in the Athletics Department or attending meetings with others throughout campus she always felt included and heard. 

Each person she encountered on her CBU journey had an impact, but Nancy says she would be remiss if she didn’t acknowledge former CBU Athletic Director, Bucky Buchanan, for giving her the opportunity to work at CBU in 1980. 

“Bucky always made me feel respected; all of the directors and head coaches did. I always felt part of the team at CBU and being part of the Athletics team gave me confidence to participate in other activities outside of Athletics.”

Since her retirement in 2013, Nancy has remained active in the community, having served on the boards of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation and Hospice Cape Breton. “We’re very proud of the Hospice build. We were thrilled to cut the ribbon,” she says of the recent opening of the new Hospice in Sydney. Nancy says her time at CBU taught her the value of teamwork, something she has carried through her career and beyond.

Nancy has remained a fixture at Capers games and rarely misses a game. “I’m such a big fan of these student-athletes and I still enjoy going to games,” she says. Nancy looks forward to cheering on the Capers this year as they fight for another national title on home turf. 

For more information on the U Sport National Championship, visit cbu.ca/usports