Brandon University Dick and Verda McDonald Sports Wall of Fame
Becky Birch (nee Young) played an integral part in turning the Bobcats from a young upstart women's volleyball team into one of the top programs in the nation. The standout setter from Souris, Man. was a five-year starter on the BU women's volleyball team and her name remains etched in the Canada West record books.
Birch's track record leading up to her university career made her a coveted recruit. She led her hometown Sabres to their first-ever AA provincial high school title in 2002, and the following year helped the squad repeat as champions while being named Most Valuable Player.
She earned another MVP award in 2004 while representing Manitoba at the National Team Challenge Cup. The next year she helped her province earn a silver medal at the Canada Games.
Birch was recognized as the teams MVP three times and sits fifth all-time in the conference with 3,338 career assists.
She helped BU make history in 2007-08 when the women's volleyball team clinched its first-ever playoff spot, and she was a key asset in the Bobcats hosting a playoff series for the first time in her senior season.
Birch quickly made the transition to coaching and joined BU as an assistant the following year. Birch also served as an assistant coach with Manitoba's bronze medal winning team at the 2013 Canada Games.
