The St. Thomas University athletics department held its annual awards banquet at the Forest Hill Conference Centre to celebrate the accomplishments of STU’s student athletes and coaches March 30.
Eric Moffatt, marketing and events co-ordinator for athletics, was the MC for the evening. He opened the ceremony by welcoming the student athletes, coaches and support staff.
Almost all the student athletes attended, along with STU president and vice-chancellor Dawn Russell. Deputy Premier Stephen Horsman was there, along with Lily Fraser, acting vice-president of finance and administration. Vice-president academic and research Kim Fenwick, athletics director Mike Eagles, student recruitment director Kate Crawford, and alumni relations director George MacIntyre also attended.
Russell took to the podium and delivered the first speech of the night.
“I am pleased to be joined by so much of the STU community,” said Russell. “We loved watching you play and cheering you on. STU is small but mighty, and when we won (over) McGill in (women’s) hockey, people really noticed.”
“I give thanks to all the athletic department. Many of you have played an important part in your success. You made STU a big winner this year.”
After Russell’s speech, a short video slideshow was played, showing players from each team in game action during the 2015-16 season.
After the screening, second-year men’s cross-country and track and field athlete Nate Legere said grace, and the guests helped themselves to a buffet.
After the plates were filled then emptied, and coffee was served, Moffatt presented the team awards.
Golf
Brandon Pierce won the award for Most Valuable Player in golf for being the most consistent player during both tournaments leading up to the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association championships.
“The St. Thomas golf team went through a rebuilding year this season, but welcomed some fresh talent to the team in rookies (like) Sam Anstey and Jonah Burridge,” said Moffatt. “The team held their own, but ended up finishing third in all their competitions, including the ACAA championships.”
Women’s Soccer
For women’s soccer, Jade Bellemare took Rookie of the Year, Vanessa Pettersson received Most Improved Player, Amy Sheppard got Unsung Hero, and Zoe de Bellefeuille was named MVP.
“The St. Thomas Tommies’ women’s soccer team had a challenging 2015-16 season, falling just three points short of qualifying for the ACAA championships,” said Moffatt.
The women placed fifth in the conference with a 5-6-1 record.
Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer season was the most successful one in recent memory. The team came one goal short of claiming the ACAA championship.
Eric Prior was named Rookie of the Year, while Bradley Johnston received the Unsung Hero Award and Robert Leblanc got MVP.
Women’s Rugby
For women’s rugby, the Tommies made their second consecutive ACAA championship appearance. After finishing the season with a 7-0-1 record, the Tommies were the favourites heading into the finals. But the UNB Varsity Reds came out with the momentum, using strong rucks and scrums to secure possession and claim the ACAA title.
Bailey Andrews received Rookie of the Year and Sarah Breau received Most Improved Player. Marissa Brown received this year’s Heather Leonard Memorial Award and Marissa Walcott received MVP.
Men’s Rugby
It was also a benchmark season for the men’s rugby team. The squad made its first Rugby New Brunswick Maritime University ‘A’ finals appearance in 11 years.
Rookie of the Year went to Kerr Comeau, Robert McMichael received Outstanding Back Fielder, Christian Lakes received Outstanding Forward, and Johnny Cullen was named MVP.
Cross-Country and Track and Field
At the Atlantic University Sport championships on Oct. 31, the men and women’s cross country team both finished eighth.
The Female Rookie of the Year was awarded to Alexandra Hachey, while the Male Rookie of the Year went to Stefen Savoy. The Mel Keeling Cup recipient for Most Valuable Female Athlete went to Demara Pafford, and Paul Nozicka was Most Valuable Male Athlete.
The track and field teams went to the AUS championships. Both the women’s and men’s teams finished ahead of Memorial University for the team rankings.
Shannon Blackmore received Female Rookie of the Year, and Bryden Dunphy received Male Rookie of the Year. Stephanie Gates was named Female Unsung Hero, while Male Unsung Hero went to Zach Lakes.
Sarah Hickman received the Female Most Valuable Athlete, and Male Most Valuable Athlete went to Jonathon Gionet.
Men’s Hockey
The men’s hockey team continued its rebuild this season in a highly competitive AUS conference. Although they often struggled on the scoreboard, the Tommies showed growth in other areas that should benefit the program long-term.
Dillon Donnolly was named Rookie of the year, and he received the Lou Chabot Trophy for Best Defenceman. Bryce Milson was given The Sister Legere Trophy for Most Sportsmanlike Player. Rankyn Campbell received the Eric Couturier Award for Unsung Hero, and Colin Martin was given the Don Connolly Award for MVP.
Women’s Volleyball
The women’s volleyball team completed another successful season, finishing with a winning record of 12-9 record and representing STU at the ACAA Championships.
Megan Kozak got Rookie of the Year, Laura MacDonald received the Serving and Defensive Player Award. Deidra Jones got the Offensive Player Award, and Dominique Caravan was named MVP.
Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball team began a rebuild this season. With seven new additions to the team – six of which were rookies – the Tommies expected to see a lot of growth over the course of the year. Unfortunately, they saw their roster shrink exponentially throughout the season with numerous players sidelined due to injury. Despite the team’s struggles, the players showed heart regardless of their losses.
Rookie of the Year went to Lainy Dow, and Carissa McTague was named Unsung Hero. Defensive Player went to Jayme Hunt, and Katelynn Carver got MVP.
Men’s Basketball
The St. Thomas men’s basketball team went through some growing pains this season, as well. In an increasingly competitive ACAA conference, the team managed only one win in the first half of the season. In the second half, the Tommies pulled off a couple big wins, ending the season with a 70-58 win over UNBSJ at home.
Mitch Claybourn was named Outstanding Rookie, and Sam Anstey took Most Improved. Sam Drummond got Top Defensive Player, and the Ben Cholody Memorial Trophy went to the MVP, Dylan Gallant.
Men’s Volleyball
The men’s volleyball team had another successful season, capturing their third consecutive ACAA title and representing the conference at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships.
Nick Jackson got Rookie of the year. Spencer Hay got Most Improved Player, and the MVP Award went to Marc Blinn.
Women’s Hockey
The women’s hockey team had one of its most successful campaigns this season, competing for the AUS championship for the second time in program history and qualifying for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport National Championships.
Emily Oleksuk took Rookie of the Year, while Samantha Squires was named Most Improved Player. Both Eliza Snider and Caley Steinert received Top Defensive Players, and Kelty Apperson was MVP.
Other Awards
After most of the plaques and trophies were given out, athletes were named for the special recognition awards.
Ten athletes stood and were acknowledged for the National Scholar Award. Twelve more stood and were recognized for the CIS Academic All-Canadians award.
Meghan MacEachern and Jonny Cullen were recognized on the rugby team Dean’s List, while Dominique Caravan and Nicholas Levesque were named CCAA Academic All-Canadians. Campbell received the James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award.
Also, 33 student athletes who are graduating this year received a Varsity ‘T’ Plaque of Distinction.
“We are proud to watch each individual student athlete graduate,” Moffatt said from the podium. “The hard work and commitment comes together as you finish your time with us and start your next chapter as the St. Thomas Alumni.”
Eagles presented the T-plaques.
After a short, wrap-up video from the Bell Let’s Talk initiative for mental health, the major awards were handed out.
The LeRoy Washburn Community Service Award went to the women’s rugby team. The John Frederick Walls Memorial Award was presented by Russell to Savoy, and the Cathy Wadden Commitment Award went to MacEachern.
Apperson received Outstanding Female Athlete Award, while Blinn received Outstanding Male Athlete.
“What a great year for St. Thomas Athletics as we celebrate a conference championship, as well as the hosting of the Subway AUS Cross-Country Championships, ACAA Women’s Rugby Championship Final, and Subway AUS Championships Series, and all of our worthy award recipients,” said Moffatt.
Eagles closed the banquet with some final words.
“I really appreciate the support from the administration. It’s nice to see what you’re doing with the young people in the program,” he said.
“Thank you for the coaches, a big round of applause for them. Huge round of applause for the training staff and to our athletes. Thank you so much for what you do for us.”
