NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – A Guelph Gryphon has been named OUA Female Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season and just the fourth time in university history. Women's rugby head coach
Colette McAuley won the award for the first time in her career, receiving the recognition at the annual OUA Honour Awards banquet held at the league's Annual General Meeting.
McAuley joins a distinguished list of Gryphon coaches, including last year's recipient
Rachel Flanagan, head coach of the Gryphon women's hockey team. Previous winners include
Angela Orton (women's basketball, 2004-05) and
Linda Melnick (women's volleyball, 2002-03). McAuley was also just the second rugby coach to earn Coach of the Year in the 20-year history of the award, joining Beth Barz of Queen's (2013-14)
"I'm honoured" said McAuley. "It's amazing that our program can be recognized. It's a credit to our coaching staff because they're so involved, engaged and passionate about the sport.
"Our program has such a rich history and continuity with the coaches, and Gryphons as coaches, that the athletes are supported really well. We've been through it, we've lived it, we've loved it and we try to instill those feelings and passion for the program. The athletes feel that and they become owners of the program themselves. It just perpetuates success."
McAuley added to her already impressive legacy at the University of Guelph this past year.
The Forest, ON native just completed her 11th season in charge of the Gryphons and led her side to the program's eighth OUA championship (and second straight) after a convincing 43-17 win over the Queen's Gaels on Saturday, October 21 at Varsity Field.
The season began with a narrow 38-31 victory over those same Gaels in the home opener. Guelph won the next two outings by a combined score of 141-10 before defeating McMaster 35-19 in the regular season finale.
McAuley made some tweaks to her team's approach after that tight match in Hamilton, focusing on building a more dynamic and diverse attack, while maintaining the same defensive intensity. The changes worked well and Guelph produced a dominant 55-0 win over York in the OUA semi-final and then beat Queen's to secure a second straight conference title.
The Gryphons capped their year with a 34-12 consolation semi-final win at nationals over the host Lethbridge Pronghorns, though the final was cancelled because of weather.
McAuley's team scored a Shiels Division-best 214 points in four regular season matches, while conceding a conference-low 60 points. The Gryphons play a style that was shaped by McAuley's experience. She focuses on having a team that is adaptable, with players who grow and gain a better understanding of the game. Most important is that they enjoy their time on the pitch.
"One of the things I loved as a player when I was coached by Sluggo (the late national team coach Ric Suggit) is that we had a good time playing," McAuley said.
"We tried to play expansive, fun rugby. We didn't get stuck in our roles. That really stayed with me and I wanted our program to do that. Once the set piece is over, I want everyone to be able to have the confidence and ability to run with the ball and have fun with it. I don't ever want to lose sight of using everyone to their full potential and making sure they're enjoying it."
Athletic Director Scott McRoberts considers the Gryphon women's rugby program as a model for all OUA schools and McAuley is at the very heart of that success.
"Colette's commitment to teaching the fundamentals of the game with an approach that develops mentally-tough athletes has vaulted the U of G team to the top of the conference," said McRoberts. "She is a true mentor to her players and maintains that bond with them long after they leave the university. It's an honour to have Colette here and we're thrilled she has been recognized by the OUA. It's the second straight year a Gryphon coach has won this award, highlighting the strong presence we have in our female varsity program."
Male Athlete of the Year – Kadre Gray, Laurentian
Female Athlete of the Year – Kylie Masse, Toronto
Male Team of the Year – Football, Western
Female Team of the Year – Basketball, Carleton; Volleyball, Ryerson
Male Coach of the Year – Taffe Charles, Carleton Women's Basketball
Female Coach of the Year – Colette McAuley, Guelph Women's Rugby
John McManus Award – Brenda Willis, Queen's Men's Volleyball
J.P. Loosemore Award – Janean Sergeant, Queen's
Media Member of Distinction – David Grossman
For more information on the rest of the OUA Honour Awards, visit www.oua.ca.
NOTE: The OUA Female Coach of the Year award is given annually to the top female coach in the OUA. Coaches from all OUA sports are eligible. The OUA Female Coach of the Year does not necessarily have to coach a female sport. In 2009-10, Brenda Willis was named OUA Female Coach of the Year while coaching men's volleyball at Queen's.
OUA FEMALE COACH OF THE YEAR
| 2017-18 |
Colette McAuley |
Guelph |
Women's Rugby |
| 2016-17 |
Rachel Flanagan |
Guelph |
Women's Hockey |
| 2015-16 |
Kristine Drakich |
Toronto |
Women's Volleyball |
| 2014-15 |
Chantal Vallée |
Windsor |
Women's Basketball |
| 2013-14 |
Beth Barz |
Queen's |
Women's Rugby |
| 2012-13 |
Chantal Vallée |
Windsor |
Women's Basketball |
| 2011-12 |
Vicki Croley |
Western |
Track & Field |
| 2010-11 |
Chantal Vallée |
Windsor |
Women's Basketball |
| 2009-10 |
Brenda Willis |
Queen's |
Men's Volleyball |
| 2008-09 |
Chantal Vallée |
Windsor |
Women's Basketball |
| 2007-08 |
Lisa Patterson |
Lakehead |
Nordic Skiing |
| 2006-07 |
Theresa Burns |
McMaster |
Women's Basketball |
| 2005-06 |
Marilyn Douglas |
Windsor |
Women's Volleyball |
| 2004-05 |
Angela Orton |
Guelph |
Women's Basketball |
| 2003-04 |
Angie McLeod |
Ottawa |
Women's Basketball |
| 2002-03 |
Linda Melnick |
Guelph |
Women's Volleyball |
| 2001-02 |
Vicki Croley |
Western |
Cross Country/Track & Field |
| 2000-01 |
Karen Hughes |
Toronto |
Women's Hockey |
| 1999-00 |
Karen Hughes |
Toronto |
Women's Hockey |
| 1997-98 |
Beth Ali |
Toronto |
Field Hockey |
OUA MALE COACH OF THE YEAR
| 2017-18 |
Taffe Charles |
Carleton |
Women's Basketball |
| 2016-17 |
Peyvand Mossavat |
UOIT |
Women's Soccer |
| 2015-16 |
Marty Calder |
Brock |
Wrestling |
| 2014-15 |
Shawn Camp |
Guelph |
Men's Hockey |
| 2013-14 |
Dave Smart |
Carleton |
Men's Basketball |
| 2012-13 |
Byron MacDonald |
Toronto |
Men's Swimming |
| 2011-12 |
Dave McDowell |
Queen's |
Women's Soccer |
| 2010-11 |
Matthew Holmberg |
Queen's |
Women's Hockey |
| 2009-10 |
Pat Sheahan |
Queen's |
Football |
| 2008-09 |
Dave Scott-Thomas |
Guelph |
Cross Country/Track & Field |
| 2007-08 |
Dave Scott-Thomas |
Guelph |
Cross Country/Track & Field |
| 2006-07 |
Chris Oliver |
Windsor |
Men's Basketball |
| 2005-06 |
Sandie Mackie |
Carleton |
Men's Soccer |
| 2004-05 |
Dave Smart |
Carleton |
Men's Basketball |
| 2003-04 |
Dennis Fairall |
Windsor |
Cross Country/Track & Field |
| 2002-03 |
Dave Scott-Thomas |
Guelph |
Cross Country/Track & Field |
| 2001-02 |
Clarke Singer |
Western |
Men's Hockey |
| 2000-01 |
Greg Marshall |
McMaster |
Football |
| 1999-00 |
Dean Boles |
Laurier |
Swimming |
| 1997-98 |
Jack Fairs |
Western |
Squash |
OUA ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
| YEAR |
FEMALE |
MALE |
| 2017-18 |
Kylie Massie |
Toronto |
Swimming |
Kadre Gray |
Laurentian |
Basketball |
| 2016-17 |
Claire Sumner |
Queen's |
Cross Country |
Jonathan Lao |
York |
Soccer |
| 2015-16 |
Kylie Massie |
Toronto |
Swimming |
Stephen Maar |
McMaster |
Volleyball |
| 2014-15 |
Korissa Williams |
Windsor |
Basketball |
Ross Proudfoot |
Guelph |
Cross Country/T&F |
| 2013-14 |
Khamica Bingham |
York |
Track & Field |
Philip Scrubb |
Carleton |
Basketball |
| 2012-13 |
Britt Benn |
Guelph |
Rugby |
Kyle Quinlan* |
McMaster |
Football |
| 2011-12 |
Jacey Murphy |
Guelph |
Rugby |
Kyle Quinlan |
McMaster |
Football |
| 2010-11 |
Jessica Clemençon* |
Windsor |
Basketball |
Tyson Hinz* |
Carleton |
Basketball |
| 2009-10 |
Liz Knox |
Laurier |
Hockey |
Michael Faulds |
Western |
Football |
| 2008-09 |
Lindsay Carson |
Guelph |
Cross Country/T&F |
Francesco Bruno |
York |
Soccer |
| 2007-08 |
Lindsay DeGroot |
McMaster |
Basketball |
Aaron Doornekamp |
Carleton |
Basketball |
| 2006-07 |
Eilish McConville |
Queen's |
Soccer |
Daryl Stephenson |
Windsor |
Football |
| 2005-06 |
Kate Allgood |
Brock |
Hockey |
Osvaldo Jeanty* |
Carleton |
Basketball |
| 2004-05 |
Cindy Eadie |
Laurier |
Hockey |
Jesse Lumsden* |
McMaster |
Football |
| 2003-04 |
Alison Goodman |
Laurier |
Soccer & Hockey |
Rob Smart |
Carleton |
Basketball |
| 2002-03 |
Tara Hedican |
Guelph |
Wrestling |
Ryan McKenzie* |
Windsor |
Cross Country/T&F |
| 2001-02 |
Liz Warden* |
Toronto |
Swimming |
Ben Chapdelaine |
McMaster |
Football |
| 2000-01 |
Jennifer Rawson |
Toronto |
Hockey |
Kojo Aidoo* |
McMaster |
Football |
| 1999-00 |
Janet Cook |
McMaster |
Swimming |
Michael Potts* |
Western |
Soccer |
| 1998-99 |
Lamide Oyewumi |
Toronto |
Track & Field |
Steve Maga |
McMaster |
Basketball |
| 1997-98 |
Foy Williams* |
Toronto |
Track & Field |
Titus Channer* |
McMaster |
Basketball |
| 1996-97^ |
Karen Jackson |
York |
Basketball |
Titus Channer |
McMaster |
Basketball |
| 1995-96^ |
Justine Ellison* |
Toronto |
Basketball |
Aaron Pomery |
Brock |
Wrestling |
| 1994-95^ |
Kelly Dinsmore |
Windsor |
Track & Field |
Bill Kubas* |
Laurier |
Football |
| 1993-94^ |
Kelly Dinsmore |
Windsor |
Track & Field |
Tim Tindale* |
Western |
Football |
| 1992-93^ |
Nancy Sweetnam |
Laurentian |
Swimming |
Tim Mau |
Guelph |
Basketball |
* named CIS Athlete of the Year
^ Prior to 1997-98 males at Ontario universities represented the Ontario University Athletics Association (OUAA) and females competed in the Ontario Women's Interuniversity Athletics Association (OWIAA) |
