(November 9, 2006)

Skate Canada congratulates Dr. Patricia Benoit Chafe for receiving the 2006 Young Alumna of the Year award. Dalhousie University recognized Dr. Chafe’s contributions to skating by awarding her this honour. Dr. Chafe graduated from Dalhousie University in 1999 after completing her doctoral studies. She had previously earned a bachelor degree in education in 1992, and a bachelor degree in science in 1988, also from Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie University’s Young Alumnus Award recognizes recent graduates for success or interesting, unusual or innovative, accomplishments in career, public or personal life, and/or notable contributions to society, a local community or to Dalhousie.

Dr. Chafe is one of Skate Canada’s most active volunteers. A former skater, she then became a coach, and an official. Dr. Chafe is known for her work with the new judging system as she was responsible for its development and implementation at figure skating all levels.

“Dr. Chafe has been instrumental in the development and success of the current judging system. Her respect for the athletes and drive to ensure fair play is unparalleled. This motivation to ensure equitable treatment for all competitors has helped shape the direction of the judging system. From this work, figure skating now has a judging system that objectively measures performance in quantifiable terms. Athletes are able to measure their performance in real terms against their competitors and against their own previous performances better than in any other judged sport,” says Rob Davison, Cumulative Points Calculation (CPC) Coordinator at Skate Canada. “Dr. Chafe’s vision and work have been key in ensuring this new standard of accountability. She is a role model not only to the figure skating community, but to anyone involved with competitive sport.”

Dr. Chafe is currently President of Jump Beyond Inc., a strategic analysis firm focusing on Canada’s sport industry, and teaches part-time at Carleton University.