For the past 45 years, Dr. Gary Greenberg has been quietly and consistently caring for University of Ottawa’s varsity student-athletes, treating everything from sprains and strains to dislocations and concussions, and even stitching up wounds.

As if his dedication on the sidelines isn’t enough, the longtime Ottawa physician recently surprised the school by making the largest gift in the history of uOttawa’s sports program — a staggering $3.1 million.

The donation was publicly announced Saturday by the university’s president and vice-chancellor Jacques Frémont during the uOttawa Gee-Gees Awards Banquet at Infinity Convention Centre. The news was met with a standing ovation by the 700-person crowd, accompanied by repeated chants from students of the doctor’s name: “Greenberg, Greenberg, Greenberg!”

The gift will fund 62 annual scholarships, each worth up to $5,000, for varsity student-athletes over the next 10 years. Among the student-athletes to benefit are players on the men’s football team, women’s soccer, women’s rugby, men and women’s basketball, men and women’s hockey, and women’s volleyball teams.

“I decided to give back to the student-athletes that I’ve been looking after for so many years and, hopefully, help them to achieve both academic and athletic goals by taking some of the financial weight off their shoulders,” Dr. Greenberg said in an interview.

Here’s a video clip of the announcement by President Jacques Frémont:

Varsity sports are an important part of university culture, leading to lifelong friends and memories, while shaping student-athletes into hardworking, disciplined individuals with exceptional time management skills, Frémont said in an interview. “To receive this level of support from Dr. Greenberg is just unbelievable.”

Dr. Greenberg’s involvement in sports medicine at uOttawa dates back to 1980 when he was a young emergency doctor at The Ottawa Hospital. He is credited with creating the Sport Medicine Clinic, now located in the Minto Sports Complex. While no longer serving as its director, Dr. Greenberg continues to work at the clinic once a week.

Along with his involvement with uOttawa’s hockey and football teams, Dr. Greenberg is one of the team physicians for the Ottawa Redblacks, where former Gee-Gee wide receiver Brad Sinopoli played, and another Gee-Gee alumnus, placekicker Lewis Ward, remains a player.

The 71 year old was born and raised in Ottawa, playing on a championship-winning football team at Fisher Park High School. He earned his undergraduate degree at Carleton University before going on to medical school at uOttawa. He continues to practice as a hospital emergency physician, although not as frequently as he once did. He’s also an assistant professor at uOttawa.

The doctor realized last year that it made a lot of sense for him to donate to charity when cashing in his Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), as the charitable donation tax receipt allows him to significantly reduce the income tax owed on the withdrawal.

University of Ottawa president Jacques Frémont welcomes Dr. Gary Greenberg to the stage at Infinity Convention Centre after announcing the physician’s $3.1 million gift in support of student-athletes at uOttawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Patrick Grandmaitre, head coach and manager of the 2025 University Cup-winning men’s hockey team, described the gift as “monumental”, especially since the financial support will span the next decade.

“Coming from Dr. Greenberg — someone who’s been a Gee-Gee for longer than I’ve been born — is pretty special,” said the coach.

“He’s a quiet force. Everyone knows the Doc but he’s not a “Rah-Rah” guy. He’s always the guy in the corner, ready to help when called upon and able to get the job done.

“For this major gift to come from the inside, from somebody we know, is such an amazing thing. We’re so fortunate to have him, and for him to do this for us — it’s unreal.”

Dr. Gary Greenberg, left, with Patrick Grandmaitre, head coach and manager of uOttawa’s men’s hockey team, next to the University Cup trophy that the hockey team won last month. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dr. Gary Greenberg, who’s given a $3.1 million gift to help University of Ottawa student-athletes over the next 10 years, seen with head coach Ali Domenico, left, from the women’s hockey team, and assistant coach Hanna-Riikka Turpeinen. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Zach Copeland, 22, is a recipient of a former bursary established by Dr. Greenberg. The uOttawa student is graduating this year with a degree in human kinetics and business management, with plans to return in the fall to pursue a master’s degree while still playing varsity football.

Playing on a Gee-Gee team means his schedule is busier than most students. “It’s already more than a full-time job; I’d say 50 to 60 hours a week in season.”

With financial support, Copeland doesn’t need to find a part-time job, allowing him to focus more on his studies. “It’s definitely paid off,” said the three-time Academic All-Canadian, an honor awarded to students who maintain a grade average of 80 percent or higher while competing on a university varsity team.

Copeland said that it’s particularly meaningful to him that the funding came from Dr. Greenberg. “If you ask anyone about him, you’ll quickly understand he’s a very selfless and humble person who devotes everything that he does to uOttawa varsity athletics.”

Zach Copeland paid tribute to Dr. Gary Greenberg for his gift of $3.1 million to financially help student-athletes at the University of Ottawa over the next 10 years. Photo by Caroline Philips

For Dr. Greenberg, the student athletes and their sporting events have brought him such joy over the decades. The players, along with the coaches, have always made him feel like part of the team, he said.

His favourite moments include watching the men’s hockey team win the championship this year, and the football team’s Vanier Cup victory in 2000.

He’ll never forget the Gee-Gee’s snowy semifinal football game in November 1997, played at Lansdowne. The Gee-Gees were the clear underdogs against the much stronger University of Waterloo team. In a surprising turn of events, the Gee-Gees pulled an impressive win after wide receiver Chris Evraire caught the winning touchdown. During that same game, their horse mascot was penalized for accidentally getting too close to the field, resulting in a collision.

“Our guys battled and fought. It was such an exciting game because it was an underdog story.”

Dr. Greenberg said he remains in contact with former Gee-Gee student-athletes, some of whom are much older and achier now. “They still come and see me — some of them are 60 now — and they’ve got arthritis in their knees, or something else. They trust me. If they have a problem and have to go to surgery, they ask me for my opinion.”

During his brief remarks on stage, the philanthropist expressed his desire to inspire others to give.

“I hope this support will also encourage other alumni to support in any way they can our well-deserving student-athletes to achieve their academic and athletic goals,” said Dr. Greenberg, before telling the students: “This night is not about me, it’s about you. Please enjoy the evening with your teammates and friends, and I hope this will help over the next 10 years.”

From left, men’s hockey head coach Patrick Grandmaitre, players Mitchell Martin, Cam Gauvreau, Franky Lapenna (holding the team’s championship trophy), Dr. Gary Greenberg and Steven Drover, manager of development (sports) at the University of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

University of Ottawa president Jacques Frémonet took to the stage to announce the $3.1 million gift from Dr. Gary Greenberg in support of the university’s student-athletes. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, John Ouellette, executive director of strategic philanthropy at the University of Ottawa, uOttawa student Clara Genier (goaltender with the women’s hockey team) and Darren Cates, senior director of recreation and varsity sports at uOttawa, at Infinity Convention Centre for the Gee-Gees Athletic Banquet. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Women’s basketball head coach Rose-Anne Joly paid tribute to Dr. Gary Greenberg at the Gee-Gees Athletic Banquet held at Infinity Convention Centre on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Julien Sicard, vice-president of advancement at uOttawa, Francine Côté from sponsor Desjardins, and Jonathan Bodden, executive director of corporate development at uOttawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

uOttawa president Jacques Frémont applauds the student-athletes’ success during the Gee-Gees Athletic Banquet held at Infinity Convention Centre on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

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