Vikes Nation is a new school spirit program at UVic centered on building community. Its main focuses are healthy eating and active lifestyles. Vikes Nation is a place where anyone and everyone passionate about UVic can feel accepted. Zac Andrus, marketing and campus engagement coordinator, works hard to make sure this message is recognized by all UVic students.
Background
Zac played basketball at his Seattle high school and continued to play when he entered Whatcom Community College. There, he played for two years before being recruited by UVic. During his time at UVic, Zac was on the Vikes team for three years while studying business. After graduating in 2012, Zac worked as an assistant until December, when he gained his position as the marketing coordinator for the Vikes.
Finding His Passion
Zac always knew he wanted to work in an area relating to sports. He also had a serious passion for business. He is aware of how the presence of students “can add to the atmosphere of [a] game.”Zac saw the need for this in Canadian sports, in particular. He really wanted to bring to UVic what he was seeing in U.S. sports teams. He believes that living actively and being healthy are important in the life of a student. Events, like the recent dodgeball game in the dark, provide students with an opportunity to be active in a safe and fun environment.
Zac’s Goals
Zac’s main job is to capture the campus’s attention and hopefully get it to accept the Vikes Nation concept. Zac wants to get “students more passionate and involved” in the UVic community. He works to make sure this happens. This includes promoting events in order to increase school spirit and running ads to get the community involved in UVic as well. In the near future, Zac hopes that more people will “consider themselves a Vike.” He wants everyone to feel as if they are members of the Vikes Nation, as opposed to being just UVic students. Zac says that this feeling of acceptance will lead to more people eagerly “coming out to games” and registering for the many programs UVic Recreation has to offer.Â
To find out about how get involved in the Vikes Nation, check out govikesgo.com/vikesnation. Â