Prince George, B.C. – Nearly six months after his untimely death, the memory of Matt Pearce continues to live on in Prince George.

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), in conjunction with Pearce’s family, have set up a pair of $1,000 scholarships – Matt Pearce Awards – and will be given out annually starting this September says Loralyn Murdoch, director of athletics and recreation.

“We felt it was something important to do in memory of Matt and all he’s done, not only in the Prince George community but for us at UNBC in terms of his coaching, his officiating, he worked with our Junior Timberwolves program. Both his son and his daughter were a part of those programs.”

She says the university Senate officially approved the scholarships at their most recent meeting.

The scholarships come about a month after the Prince George District Teachers’ Association posthumously provided a lifetime membership to Pearce.

He was the ninth teacher in the District to receive such recognition.

Pearce was a long-time teacher in the District and also played professional football for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.