A little help goes a long way for star SFU Hockey alumnus

For Kyle Bergh (BA ’23), balancing school and life with his success as assistant captain for the SFU Men's Hockey Team—winning back-to-back provincial championships—involved more than giving 110%.

In addition to completing his honours degree (with distinction) in psychology with a minor in counselling and human development, Kyle gave his all as a research assistant in the Helping and Happiness Lab and the Measurement and Modelling Lab. He was also honored with the Cocker Family Award in Psychology and the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Association Award in Men’s Hockey at SFU and says these awards were a vital part of his success as a first-generation student.

With career interests that lie at the intersection of psychology, sport, performance and mental health, Kyle began his master's degree in applied sport psychology at the University of Ottawa this fall. We had the pleasure of catching up him during his first semester of graduate school, where he shared the profound impact donor-funded awards made throughout his journey at SFU.

How did receiving the Cocker Family Award in Psychology and the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Association Award in Men’s Hockey at SFU make a meaningful difference as you completed your degree?

Receiving these awards was significant for me on several levels. More than just financial relief, it meant having flexibility and breathing room. Being able to reallocate energy toward my studies, volunteer or hockey commitments, was such a gift. As a first-generation university student, it also meant so much to be recognized and supported through my academic journey.

Why do you think it's important for donors to create awards like these to support students?

Awards like these are invaluable. They allow students to thrive both academically and in other aspects of life. Pursuing a degree requires effort and many sacrifices. Sometimes it’s difficult to feel seen or to feel connected to the institution—even when you have supportive peers and supervisors, like I did. Receiving an award is meaningful external recognition of that hard work.

As an honours psychology student and player on the SFU Hockey team, what strategies helped you balance the demands of being a student-athlete?

I think about this question a lot. Student-athlete or not, balancing work, school, and life is about more than clichés like "work hard" and "manage your time." It's about aligning your values and passions with what you do. When you’re engaged in activities that bring you meaning and joy, it is naturally easier to maintain balance and stay committed.

As you embark on your master’s degree in applied sport psychology at the University of Ottawa, what aspirations do you have during and post graduate school?

Although I'm an advocate of having and striving for goals, being present in the moment is so important. While my primary goal for graduate school is to enhance my skills and knowledge, I also want to deliver as high a standard and quality of psychological services as possible.

Another goal I have is expanding my mental health training to offer both mental health and mental performance service. This summer, I’d also like to try and do an internship working with military personnel or firefighters. Working with high-stress populations is something I’m really passionate about. It’s an area that really needs practitioners who understand the complexities of performing under pressure, and where I believe I can make a meaningful contribution.