Burlington, ON - For just the fourth time in the University of Guelph's history, a Gryphon football player has been named the recipient of the Presidents' Trophy as the OUA's stand-up defensive player of the year. On Thursday afternoon (November 12) the OUA announced it's major award winners with Gryphons fifth year linebacker John Rush taking home the most prestigious defensive award the conference has to offer. Rush becomes the first Gryphon in 23 years to take home the honour after Mike O'Shea last did so in 1992.

Gryphon Football Players who have won the OUA's President's Trophy
 

John Rush	2015
Mike O'Shea	1992
Sam Benincasa	1983
Sam Benincasa	1982

John Rush first burst onto the scene at U of G as a highly touted prospect out of the Niagara region. After impressing in his rookie year of 2011 as a 17-year-old, Rush went on to be named an OUA Second Team All-Star in his second year after starting 7 games at middle linebacker while recording 41 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 2 interceptions. In his third year at Guelph, Rush would have his 2013 season cut short after blowing out his knee in practice. Rush was able to return in time for the 2014 season in which he played in all 8 games for the Gryphons, but his fifth and final season with the Gryphons in 2015 has been far and away the best of his career. During the regular season, Rush led the country with 60 tackles while also recording 3 sacks and 2 interceptions en route to being named an OUA First Team All-Star. The three time team captain is the unquestioned leader both on and off the field for a Gryphon defence which ranked in the CIS Top 10 in almost every major defensive category this season. Aside from anchoring the middle of the Gryphon 'D', Rush also made huge contributions on special teams throughout the year, including a blocked punt in the team's most recent win over the Carleton Ravens in the OUA semi-final.

Rush will now be put forward as the OUA's nominee for the CIS Defensive Player of the Year award (also known as The Presidents' Trophy) which will be handed out in Quebec City on Thursday, November 26 at the All-Canadian Awards Banquet. Should Rush take home that award as well, he would become the first Gryphon to ever be named the CIS Defensive Player of the Year.