We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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Dan Gazarek

From a young age, Dan Gazarek shone with a passion for football. He played throughout high school, with aspirations to play at the university level. Ultimately Dan chose to study here, a decision that led to the entrée of Kingdom Force Sports to the football world.

Dan believes his success is forever linked to that of the university. As a member of the first graduating class, he enjoys a strong connection to his peers, his faculty and its professors. Because they believed in his success, encouraging his entrepreneurial spirit, he is his own boss today.

After graduation Dan joined the Bank of Nova Scotia as a Personal Banker. For the next three years he learned how to build long-term relationships with clients. He also served as Branch Chair for the United Way and led fundraising campaigns for several bank branches.

However, Dan's passion is football. He made a promise to himself that he would do whatever it took to start his own company and build a football academy where young players could get the most efficient and affordable training available. Dan pursued his dream. He gained experience as a football coach at several high schools and community organizations in the Durham Region. After many months of coaching, networking, studying and training, he launched Kingdom Force in 2011. Today, his sports training business also has a cycling division.

Dan continues to be a fervent UOIT fan ("I bleed blue"), which is why he previously served on the Alumni Association Council and volunteers today on the Friends of UOIT Committee. He wants to contribute this enthusiasm to help grow and foster the university's alumni community.

His day job forms champions on the field, and his philanthropy champions student entrepreneurship. Like a great coach, he encourages students to pursue their dreams through the Daniel Gazarek Entrepreneurship Award. He wants to give students the opportunity to pursue their passion, just like he continues to do.

"I believe in leadership through action. I want an individual to know they have support, to give them that extra nudge to think deeper about an idea and bring it to life."

– DAN GAZAREK
COMMERCE, CLASS OF 2007
FORMER VICE-CHAIR, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION COUNCIL
DIRECTOR, KINGDOM FORCE SPORTS
DONOR, DANIEL GAZAREK ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD