Even after nearly three years, Dr. Amanda Asay’s presence is still deeply felt by friends like Dr. Suzanne Simard, as though she were still with us.
“I think of her often, reflecting on her remarkable contributions to our research. My team continues to miss her and remains dedicated to advancing her groundbreaking work, which could serve as a foundation for future discoveries and inform forest management policy,” says Simard.
On January 7, 2022, Amanda tragically passed away in a ski accident near Nelson, B.C. Almost instantly, tributes flooded in from her vast network of academic and athletic peers around the globe, highlighting the profound impact she had on so many.
Reflecting on Asay’s academic journey, Simard, who served as Asay’s graduate supervisor, recalls how she successfully defended her Master’s degree in 2013 and her PhD in 2019 at the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Faculty of Forestry and mentored dozens of other students during that time.
Remarkably during this period, Asay also made headlines in baseball and hockey. She was a member of the Canadian Women’s National Baseball Team for 16 years, from 2005 to 2021, making her the longest-serving player at the time of her passing. Additionally, she played National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hockey and softball, and for two years, she was a standout on the UBC Thunderbirds women’s hockey team.
Her extraordinary list of accomplishments has led numerous organizations to honor her legacy.
On April 6, 2024, Asay’s hometown of Prince George celebrated her achievements by inducting her into the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame. The following month, the BC Sports Hall of Fame also inducted her, recognizing her exceptional contributions to baseball, including her role in the Canadian team’s silver medal win at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
The Prince George Community Foundation has established two memorial awards for students from Prince George and Nelson, B.C., pursuing post-secondary education after high school. These awards are presented annually to keep her legacy alive.
Additionally, UBC, which helped shape her academic career, has named a memorial fund in Amanda’s honor. Those interested in contributing can easily do so through the provided link.
“Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in the success of the fund, which supports female students pursuing studies in forestry who also share a passion for athletics,” says Simard.
Watch this interview with Dr. Simard to learn more about the Dr. Amanda Asay Legacy Award: