Charity hockey game honours brilliant McMaster student killed in domestic assault

Joan Heimbecker was known to friends and colleagues at McMaster University as a brilliant graduate kinesiology student, involved in her community.

However, her life ended violently while living in residence at McMaster over 30 years ago when she was murdered on campus by an ex-boyfriend.

A charity hockey game is keeping her memory alive.

“A woman or girl is murdered every 48 hours,” says Liza Ritchie of Interval House of Hamilton.

This shocking statistic is behind the purpose of Interval House of Hamilton, one of the benefactors of the Heimbecker Cup.

Grad students and professors take on undergrads in the McMaster University Kinesiology Department for this special game — in memory of one of their own, Joan Heimbecker.

“She was not only an incredibly academically excellent student, she was very involved in her community,” says Mikayla Lalli of the Kinesiology Graduate Student Association.

Heimbecker’s ex-boyfriend entered Bates Residence at McMaster University, then entered her room, then tragically and violently ended her life.

“It’s really scary especially as a woman who has lived on residence. It’s really scary to hear that something like that could happen,” says Nour Alafif, also a member of the student association.

The violent incident occurred over 30 years ago. Now students say things have changed as a result.

“For example, people need to be signed in, residence’s locked after a certain time. Hopefully that helps reduce stuff like that happening,” adds Alafif.

In honour of Joan’s life, The Heimbecker Cup — an annual event for over two decades — takes place this Thursday night at the Chedoke Twin Pad Arena from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Proceeds from tickets sold will go to a bursary in Joan Heimbecker’s name and to Interval House of Hamilton.

Interval House began in the 1980s as a shelter for woman, children and families fleeing abuse, violence and human trafficking in Hamilton. Now it’s grown to include other services.

Funds from the Heimbecker Cup will be allocated to further its programs to support women, children and pets in their care.

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