Jesse Kertesz-Knight Awarded 2022 Dee Read Memorial Athletic Award
Alberta Alpine and the Read Family are pleased to announce Jesse Kertesz-Knight (Banff Alpine Racers/Jasper Ski Club) as the recipient of the 2022 Dee Read Memorial Athletic Award.
The purpose of the award is to assist an Alberta Ski Team athlete whose goal is to represent Alberta and Canada at the highest levels of international competition. This annual award is named in honour of Dee Read, an athlete, leader and official who loved ski racing and teaching people about the joys of our amazing mountains. She instilled this love in her family and hundreds of others who worked closely with her over a half century of involvement with Canadian alpine ski racing.
“Jesse is a dedicated and hard-working athlete that is always striving to achieve and exceed his goals. A testament to his drive is the 7 FIS wins and 5 other FIS podium results he secured this season. Beyond strict athletics he is a devoted teammate that everyone enjoys being around. When you find him on the hill he is always smiling and happy to lend a hand to competitors, coaches, and teammates alike.” -Josh Benge, AASA Athletic Director
“We know how hard our athletes work to be named to the Alberta Ski Team. We also know how much support must come from the family of every athlete” said Ken Read. “It’s a journey with many rewards, excitement and friendships, but it also requires gaining experience, patience and a determined focus to be successful. These are important qualities that can also serve as the tools for success beyond sport as well. My mother always recognized the need for family support and the amazing qualities our sport gives our athletes – and she was a life-long believer in the benefits of alpine ski racing in young people.”
“Jesse has shown great leadership qualities in his first year with the Alberta Ski Team. He has also performed at the Nor-Am and Canadian Championship level and we are pleased to support his dream of representing his province and his country at the highest levels,” -Ken Read
“I am extremely honored and thankful to have been selected for the Dee Read scholarship. The Read ski racing family has been such an inspiration to me and the financial assistance provided by this scholarship is very much appreciated. I am extremely excited to work hard during summer training and am pumped for next season.” -Jesse Kertesz-Knight
About the Dee Read Memorial Award
Since 1988 the Read Family Scholarships have supported young athletes who show both a passion for the sport and who aspire to represent Canada at the highest level. Dee Read was a Canadian Champion as an athlete (1948 Downhill and Combined) and went on to be a coach, volunteer, official and a dedicated ski racing parent. She was a ground-breaking leader as one of the first female FIS Technical Delegates and served as the Chair of Alberta Alpine and the Board of Alpine Canada. Her commitment reached far beyond her family to influence athletes, parents, coaches and sport administrators right across Canada, who benefited from her knowledge, generosity and warm spirit in lending a firm but insightful hand as a sport leader in Alberta and Canada. In 2001, Dee Read was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame as a sport builder. To Dee, it was always about supporting athletes.