Laurier appoints acting director of Athletics and Recreation

Feb. 28, 2022
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Kate McCrae Bristol, the university’s dean of students, Waterloo campus, as acting director: Athletics and Recreation for a one-year term, effective Feb. 28, 2022. McCrae Bristol will spend the first month of her appointment working alongside Peter Baxter, who will retire from the role in April.  

“I am delighted that Kate will be taking on this role,” said Ivan Joseph, vice-president: Student Affairs. “Kate brings over a decade of higher education and athletic leadership experience to the appointment, and is someone who cares deeply about students and is student-centered in everything she does.”  

As a former student-athlete, McCrae Bristol took to coaching at the USPORT level as a part-time assistant basketball coach at the University of Waterloo and spent three years as an assistant basketball coach at Laurier with the National Championship contending team of 2014. Before beginning her tenure at the University of Waterloo, she was a full-time Division-1 assistant coach for women’s basketball at Yale University, and a national sports program manager for the Special Olympics Canada.

For the past three years, McCrae Bristol has served as Laurier’s dean of students for the Waterloo campus, where she supports students in their academic and personal journeys, ensures their wellbeing, and challenges them to be their best. 

Prior to her role at the University of Waterloo, McCrae Bristol was director, community engagement at St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation where she was responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating a portfolio of the Foundation’s external projects designed to build relationships with community groups, private-sector partners, cultural groups and industry sectors. 

She also served as senior development officer, Faculty, Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, where her primary responsibilities included designing and leading the campaign for major gifts.  

During McCrae Bristol’s tenure as acting director, Adam Lawrence, Laurier’s dean of students for the Brantford campus, will serve as the dean of students for both Waterloo and Brantford.

“I would like to thank Peter for his 23 years of leadership and loyal service to Wilfrid Laurier University,” said Joseph. “He played an integral role in the growth of many facets of Laurier’s athletics program and in creating an exceptional student experience.”

Over the next year, the university will conduct a national search for a permanent director of athletics and recreation who will help to ensure a quality student experience for all members of our community.