A game-changing legacy for Bisons Men’s Basketball

For John Loewen [BSc/73], his time at the University of Manitoba (UM) was about far more than academics — it was about people, opportunity and the experiences that shaped his life.

Now, more than 50 years after graduating, Loewen (pronounced Lay-vin) is giving back in a transformative way. His $1 million gift — the largest in Bison Sports history — will support the Bisons Men’s Basketball program through a dedicated fund designed to enhance the student-athlete experience over the next decade.

For Loewen, the decision to give was deeply personal.

“Playing with the basketball team for five years was a formative time in my life. I learned so much from the people I played with, from the coaches, from everybody who was involved with that program,” he says. “That really is what leads to the donation. It’s a debt of gratitude for what the university and the program did for me.” 

A responsibility to give back

Loewen sees philanthropy not as a single moment, but as a lifelong commitment shaped by family values and lived experience.

“Those of us who are fortunate enough to give back have a responsibility to do so,” he says.  

Over the years, he has supported athletes, community initiatives and organizations across Manitoba, always guided by the same philosophy and a perspective rooted in gratitude.

“It’s an opportunity to open a door for someone that wouldn’t otherwise be open,” he says. “You never become successful on your own. It’s a debt of gratitude to the people who’ve touched your life.”