Commitment. Teamwork. Talent.
As a member of Waterloo’s football team, Greg Somerville learned that those three components can make the winning difference — in sport, in business and in life.
After graduating from Waterloo’s history program, he used those lessons to launch what would become a highly successful career in the insurance industry, retiring as president and CEO of Aviva Canada in 2018.
Now, Greg and his partner, Paulette, have made a $100,000 gift to Warriors Football — the largest in the program’s history. The gift will create the Somerville Family Football Excellence Award, which will recognize student-athletes who demonstrate leadership, athletic talent and contribution to the Department of Athletics and Recreation, Warriors Football and their community. It will also support initiatives that allow players to develop their leadership skills.
“This groundbreaking investment supports the program’s top priorities: recruiting top student-athletes, helping them to develop as young men, and developing a competitive football program,” says Roly Webster, Director of Athletics and Recreation.
From the playing field to the boardroom
When Greg joined the Warriors in 1974, the team was in a rebuilding phase — and on a losing streak. He and a group of other rookies dedicated themselves to helping the team improve.
“As a quarterback, I had a much better experience with linemen who had been there three or four years, and we all improved together. It taught me that, if you have the right people, with the right level of commitment and experience, your results improve.”
“By the time we graduated, we had a pretty decent team. And I took these valuable concepts of commitment, teamwork and talent with me into business.”
Now Greg’s gift will foster the same key traits that brought him success as an athlete and business leader in the next generation of football Warriors.
A holistic approach
Greg’s investment comes at a pivotal time for the football program. Under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Bertoia (BA ’05), the Warriors have transformed from OUA underdogs to championship contenders. And this year, the team’s sights are set on the Vanier Cup.
But winning a national championship, while important, is only one of the program’s goals.
“Greg’s gift will allow us to offer athletics financial awards (AFAs) to attract talented student-athletes who are a good fit for our program,” Coach Bertoia says. “It will also allow us to support our student-athletes in their growth as leaders, as they participate in our outreach programs and other player development initiatives.”
Greg's gift will ... allow us to support our student-athletes in their growth as leaders, as they participate in our outreach programs and other player development initiatives.
CHRIS BERTOIA, Head Coach
“Our hope is that our holistic approach — focusing on athletics, academics and community service — will give our student-athletes a great experience that, in turn, helps mold them into leaders in whatever path they choose upon graduating.”
“This gift speaks to the value Greg placed on his student-athlete experience and the impact it had on his career,” Roly adds. “We are very grateful for his generosity and leadership, which will no doubt have an equally positive impact on current and future student-athletes.”
Reconnecting with lifelong friends
Why did Greg chose to invest in Warriors Football?
“I spent most of my awake time as a young adult playing sports. But football was the sport that I Ioved the most,” he says. “It was football that gave me the opportunity to attend the University of Waterloo and get the education that spring-boarded me into a career that I enjoyed so much.”
Football gave me the opportunity to attend the University of Waterloo and get the education that spring-boarded me into a career that I enjoyed so much.
GREG SOMERVILLE (BA ’78)
To other alumni who might be considering a gift to Athletics and Recreation, Greg says “I would urge you to reflect on your Waterloo experience, particularly if you played a team sport. It was likely one of the highlights of your life. I would encourage you to do what you can to give these students-athletes similar opportunities to what you enjoyed.”
And the satisfaction of helping young people to excel is not the only reward that donors may experience, Greg says.
“I’ve had a lot of fun getting reconnected with the program and all my teammates. Something about sport creates a bond between players — and lifelong friends are a gift that shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
Commitment. Teamwork. Talent.
