• Competed for the Pandas track team (1970-74) and received the Bakewell Trophy in 1973.
• Represented Canada as a sprinter and middle-distance runner in the Pan American, Pan-Pacific, World University, and Commonwealth Games.
• Co-holder of the indoor world record for 300 metres.
• Voted Edmonton's Athlete of the Year (1973).
• Successful teacher and coach in the Edmonton Public School system for over 30 years.

Brenda Walsh-Smith had speed to burn from an early age, setting sprint records at Hardisty junior High, and while at McNally High in Edmonton she set records in sprint events, middle distance, and the long jump. Matriculating in 1970, she enrolled in Physical Education at Alberta and simultaneously embarked on a brilliant career in international athletics that took her to a score of European countries, South America, New Zealand and the USA. Throughout the 70's she was an important presence at national championships and on Canadian teams in international dual meets, multi-country meets, Pan-American, Pan-Pacific, World University, and Commonwealth Games. She qualified for the Munich Olympics in 1972 but an untimely hamstring injury kept her on the sidelines.

Between 1972 and 1974, Brenda set Canadian records at 300m, 400m, 500m, and 600m as well as taking 3rd in the 400m at the USA indoor championships in 1972 and coming back to win that prestigious event the next year. The highlight of her amazing career came in 1973 in Edmonton at the Canada West Championships when she equaled the indoor World Record at 300m and at an international meet in Winnipeg she came within 3/10ths of a second of the indoor World Record in the 500m. Her 1973 achievements earned the Bakewell Trophy, presented annually to the outstanding female athlete on campus.

Athletic excellence was matched by high academic standards. She earned her BPE, with distinction, in 1974, and completed a Professional Diploma in Education the next year. The range of her interests and abilities included achieving Level II Theory, and Grade VIII piano in the curriculum of the Royal Conservatory of Music Professionally, she served as department head in physical education and coached at Kenilworth Junior High before becoming department head of counseling. Brenda has been a leader in curriculum innovations in several courses, and in a variety of professional development initiatives.

She has been active with the Edmonton Friar Volleyball Club which placed first in the 1986 Alberta Winter Games, and were league champions from 1952-1994. A talented teacher and coach, her Kenilworth school volleyball teams have been city champions on eight occasions, and her trade and field teams have won that honor four times. Seeing her student-athletes go on to success at higher levels and giving back to their sports through coaching is a source of great satisfaction to Brenda.

In addition to the Bakewell Trophy, among other awards and recognition she has received are achievement awards from both the city and the province, and Athlete-of-the-Year in 1973 from the Edmonton Sportswriters Association. She has been and continues to be a most significant influence on the hundreds of students with whom she works. Her example of commitment, competence, and sincere caring provides inspiration to the young women and men who are fortunate enough to encounter her as a teacher, counsellor, or coach.