Brandon University Athletics

Souris-born Debbie Baker (nee Morris) seemed destined to excel at any sport she chose to compete in.
 
As a standout Bobcat from 1975-1980, she was a member of the field hockey and basketball teams.
 
Baker was honoured as BU's Female Athlete of the Year in 1976-77, but she was not able to build off that success as a knee injury forced her to the sidelines the following season.
 
Despite the setback, Baker kept herself motivated and involved with the Bobcats, serving as an assistant coach until she got back to full health.
 
She did not miss a beat once the 1979-80 season arrived. Baker guided BU to their best-ever season at the time in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The Bobcats posted a 9-and-7 record and Baker finished third in the conference in defensive rebounds.
 
At the end of the season, she capped off her career by being bestowed a historic honour, becoming the first-ever recipient of the prestigious H. Stewart Perdue Memorial Award for sportsmanship.
 
She started a family tradition at BU by motivating her daughters Kellie and Jodie to achieve their dreams. They followed in their mom's footsteps and became Bobcats by playing on the women's volleyball team.
 
Outside of her accomplishments on campus, the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame inducted Baker in 2009. She started playing at the age of 13 with her hometown Souris Blues senior ladies team and never looked out of place. She later joined the Winnipeg-based Smitty's Terminators and won numerous western Canadian championships. Baker also gave back to the game as coach of the Westman Magic.
 
She took part in the Canada Summer Games on two occasions; representing Manitoba in track and field in 1975 and in 1977 she played on the provincial softball team.
 
Baker also made a tremendous impact in the classroom for 37 years in the Brandon School Division. She taught 14 years at Harrison, one year at Waverly Park and 22 at Kirkcaldy before announcing her retirement this year.