KINGSTON, Ont. – On
Wednesday evening (May 15) in Kingston at the Ontario University Athletic's Annual General Meeting, there were a total of nine major awards handed out for the 2018-19 season. Three of those nine went to Gryphons, with a fourth awarded to a distinguished Guelph-based media member.
Jace Kotsopoulos (OUA Male Athlete of the Year),
Rachel Flanagan (OUA Female Coach of the Year),
Rob Massey (OUA Media Member of Distinction) and the Guelph
Gryphons women's hockey team (OUA Female Team of the Year) all took home conference-wide awards as part of the OUA's 2018-19 "Honour Awards" banquet. .
2018-19 OUA Honour Award Winners:
| Male Athlete of the Year |
Jace Kotsopoulos (Guelph Gryphons men's soccer)
Kadre Gray (Laurentian Voyageurs men's basketball) |
| Female Athlete of the Year |
Theanna Vernon (Ryerson Rams women's volleyball) |
| Male Team of the Year |
Carleton Ravens men's basketball |
| Female Team of the Year |
Guelph Gryphons women's hockey
McMaster Marauders women's basketball |
| Male Coach of the Year |
Dave Smart (Carleton Ravens men's basketball) |
| Female Coach of the Year |
Rachel Flanagan (Guelph Gryphons women's hockey) |
| Media Member of Distinction |
Rob Massey (Guelph Sports Journal) |
| John McManus Award |
Rick Osborne (Laurier Golden Hawks women's hockey) |
| J.P. Loosemore Award |
Chuck Mathies (Western Mustangs) |
Jace Kotsopoulos - 2018-19 OUA Male Athlete of the Year
For just the third time in the 27-year history of the award, a Guelph Gryphon has been named OUA Male Athlete of the Year. Jace Kotsopoulos joins
Ross Proudfoot (cross country/track, 2014-15) and
Tim Mau (basketball, 1992-93) as just the third Gryphon athlete to earn the title of OUA Male Athlete of the Year. Kotsopoulos, a fourth-year standout on the Gryphons men's soccer team, shared 2018-19 OUA Male Athlete of the Year honours with Laurentian men's basketball star Kadre Gray, who averaged a U SPORTS-best 31 points per game.
This season, Kotsopoulos also became just the second U of G athlete to earn national player of the year honours in men's soccer, joining Robbie Murphy (2011) as the only other Gryphon recipient of the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy as U SPORTS Player of the Year.
During the 2018 season, the Burlington native finished second in U SPORTS in goals with 15, while also eclipsing the University of Guelph's all-time goals record (56).
The Guelph hit man's 15 goals paced the OUA this season, with many coming at crucial moments to either tie or win a match. The majority of those 15 came in a memorable September when Kotsopoulos was named U SPORTS Male Athlete of the Month. He scored a brace in five of his seven matches that month and also became the University of Guelph men's all-time leading scorer when he bagged both goals in a 2-0 win over McMaster on Sept. 9. Kotsopoulos had 48 goals to that point, needing one to tie Guelph's all-time leader
Robbie Murphy at 49. He got it in the 75th minute, heading a ball home from inside the area. But Kotsopoulos wasn't done. He established the new school record six minutes later when he took a through ball from teammate Jon Amoo, held off a defender on his shoulder, and coolly finished with his left foot into the bottom corner of the McMaster net. He went on to score six more goals the rest of the season and currently sits in the top spot with 56.
"Jace had an amazing season, breaking the all-time Gryphon goal scoring record, leading the OUA in scoring and coming second in Canada," said Gryphons' head coach
Keith Mason. "But above all this, Jace is a tremendous individual, humble, talented, hardworking, and a leader. It is a pleasure to coach such a player with these qualities day in day out. He is fully deserving of this special award, but I am sure Jace would be the first to admit he could not have done it without the fantastic support, on and off the field, from his teammates."
OUA ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
| YEAR |
FEMALE |
MALE |
| 2018-19 |
Theanna Vernon |
Ryerson |
Volleyball |
Jace Kotsopoulos
Kadre Gray |
Guelph
Laurentian |
Soccer
Basketball |
| 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) |
Rachel Flanagan - 2018-19 OUA Female Coach of the Year
For the third year in a row, a Guelph Gryphon has been named OUA Female Coach of the Year. After leading the Gryphons women's hockey team to the first national title in school history, head coach
Rachel Flanagan was named the OUA Female Coach of the Year for the second time in her career (2016-17 & 2018-19). It marks the fifth time in the 21-year history of the conference-wide award that a Gryphon female coach has earned the honour. Flanagan, who just wrapped up her 12th season in charge of the women's hockey program at the University of Guelph, has led the Gryphons to seven appearances in the McCaw Cup, winning OUA titles in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2018-19.
Under Flanagan's guidance, the Gryphons women's hockey team has finished 1st in the OUA standings four times in the last six seasons and in 2018-19, led the OUA in both goals scored (79) as well as fewest goals allowed (34). Guelph's unforgettable 2018-19 season was capped with the first national title in program history following a 1-0 win over the McGill Martlets in the U SPORTS gold medal game in P.E.I.
Flanagan becomes Guelph's first ever two-time recipient of the OUA Female Coach of the Year award, with previous U of G winners including
Colette McAuley (women's rugby, 2017-18),
Angela Orton (women's basketball, 2004-05) and
Linda Melnick (women's volleyball, 2002-03).
"It is an incredible honour to be recognized with this award with so many outstanding female coaches involved across so many different sports in the OUA," says Flanagan, a five-time recipient of OUA Coach of the Year in women's hockey. "I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a talented coaching staff who have played an integral role in helping create a strong team culture with our program. Our players this past season were a talented, experienced group who demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities both on and off the ice."
For
Scott McRoberts, Director of Athletics at the University of Guelph, the conference-wide recognition for Rachel Flanagan is a much-deserved honour, "It was a historic year for the women's hockey team and that starts at the top with Coach Flanagan. Her leadership on and off the ice was admirable as she led the program to its first national title. She is a deserving recipient of this award and we couldn't be more proud of her."
OUA FEMALE COACH OF THE YEAR
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.
| 2018-19 |
Rachel Flanagan |
Guelph |
Women's Hockey |
| 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 |
Guelph Gryphons Women's Hockey - 2018-19 OUA Female Team of the Year
In the nine-year history of the OUA Team of the Year award, the Guelph Gryphons have never been recognized. Until now.
Following an unforgettable journey to the first national title in program history, the Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team were named co-recipients of the OUA's Female Team of the Year award, sharing the title with the McMaster Marauders women's basketball team (who also secured the first national title in their program's history).
The Gryphons have been the class of the OUA in women's hockey in recent years, but the 2018-19 team would make history. Guelph was motivated from the moment the puck dropped on the new season with fifth-year team pillars captain Kaitlin Lowy and goaltender Valerie Lamenta intent on ending their careers as champions. The team was simply dominant during the regular season, leading the OUA in both goals scored (79) and allowed (33) en route to a 18-3-3 record.
Lowy would lead the team in goals (13) and points (25) with Lamenta posting a 1.52 goals against average and .952 save percentage. But there was much more to come for Guelph, beginning with two-game sweeps of both the Brock Badgers and the Ryerson Rams in the OUA quarters and semis. That set up a McCaw Cup matchup with the Toronto Varsity Blues at the Gryphon Centre. The hosts trailed 2-1 but scored three unanswered goals in the third period to win the trophy they call "Judy" for the third time in four years.
With another OUA banner secured, the Gryphons went to Charlottetown, PEI ready to make a run at a national title. Guelph scored two quick goals and eventually hung on 3-2 to defeat the reigning U SPORTS champion Manitoba Bisons in the quarter-final. The Gryphons struck early and often in the national semi-final to eliminate the Montreal Carabins 5-0. And in the national final against the McGill Martlets, the Gryphons would realize their dream. Lowy score the lone goal of the game and Lamenta pitched her fifth shutout in eight postseason starts to lead Guelph to the first national championship in program history. Claire Merrick, who led all players in the country with seven goals in the playoffs, was named team MVP. Lowy was an OUA First-Team All-Star and Lamenta was named to the First Team, while also taking OUA Goaltender of the Year honours.
OUA TEAM OF THE YEAR
The OUA Team of the Year is presented to one team (male, female, combined) that has demonstrated outstanding performance, compelling story and overall success. Beginning in 2017-18, the OUA recognized both a male and female team of the year. From 2010-11 to 2016-17, just a single team of the year was awarded.
| YEAR |
FEMALE |
MALE |
| 2018-19 |
Guelph Women's Hockey / McMaster Women's Basketball |
Carleton Ravens Men's Basketball |
| 2017-18 |
Ryerson Rams Volleyball / Carleton Ravens Basketball |
Western Mustangs Football |
| YEAR |
TEAM |
| 2016-17 |
UOIT Ridgebacks Women's Soccer |
| 2015-16 |
Toronto Varsity Blues Women's Volleyball |
| 2014-15 |
Western Mustangs Women's Hockey |
| 2013-14 |
Toronto Varsity Blues Men's Swimming |
| 2012-13 |
Windsor Lancers Women's Basketball |
| 2011-12 |
McMaster Marauders Football |
| 2010-11 |
Windsor Lancers Women's Basketball |
Rob Massey - Media Member of Distinction
For the past 33 years,
Rob Massey has been a driving force when it comes to the coverage and overall growth of amateur sports in the Guelph area.
From 1986 to 2016, Massey served as the sports editor at the Guelph Mercury, one of Canada's longest-tenured broadsheet newspapers. In 2016, the Guelph Mercury published its final edition in what was the paper's 149th year of existence. While the closure of the local newspaper could have proved catastrophic for the coverage of local sports in the Guelph area, Rob continued the rich tradition of amateur sports coverage in his region by launching an online journal dedicated solely to covering Guelph-based sports (Guelph Sports Journal).
"It's an incredible honour to be a part of a list of previous winners like that," says Massey, who grew up just east of Oshawa in Mitchell's Corners, Ontario.
"So many of the names on this list are people who I respect and have crossed paths with so many times over the years, including Morris Dalla Costa (2008 recipient). Morris and I were the sports department at "
Oshawa This Week" back in the late 70's/early 80's. I'm just fortunate to have found something I really enjoy and it's an honour to receive this award."
In 1977, Massey spent a year writing for the York University newspaper (
The Excalibur) before transferring to Durham College to earn a journalism degree. After four years writing for the
Brampton Daily Times, Massey moved to Guelph and began his legendary 29-year run as the sports editor for the
Guelph Mercury.
Having spent over 30 years with a front row seat to Guelph Gryphons sporting events, Rob was hesitant to point to any single games when asked which games or moments stand out. "It's so hard to say," says Massey. "The championship games in every sport always stand out. The 1997 men's hockey national championship in Toronto was special, having a chance to interview (Gryphon captain) Chris Clancy and some of the players down at ice level at the old Maple Leaf Gardens. But it's almost the people you remember more than the games. I was over at the stadium the other day and saw (Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach) Mike O'Shea, and I thought to myself 'I covered him when he
played here' and now he has a son on the team!' So it's been a fun ride and it was a total surprise to receive an honour like this, but certainly a welcomed surprise."
Rob Massey Bio:
* Guelph Sports Journal (2016 – present):
* Sports Editor at Guelph Mercury (April 1986 – Jan. 2016) – 29 years
* Brampton Daily Times (1981 – 1986) – 4 years
* Motorsport Editor at "Wheelspin News Inc." (1981)
* Journalism degree from Durham College
OUA MEDIA MEMBER OF DISTINCTION
The OUA Media Member of Distinction Award is presented to a member of the news media who has made a major contribution to the development and growth of Ontario University Athletics
| YEAR |
RECIPIENT |
| 2019 |
Rob Massey |
| 2018 |
David Grossman |
| 2017 |
Ken Welch |
| 2016 |
Terry Marcotte |
| 2015 |
Cable 14 - Hamilton |
| 2014 |
Donnovan Bennett |
| 2013 |
Darren Stevenson |
| 2012 |
Mike Koreen |
| 2011 |
Cecelia Carter-Smith |
| 2010 |
Mary Caton |
| 2009 |
Tim Micallef |
| 2008 |
Morris Dalla Costa |
| 2007 |
Bill Sturrup |
For more information on the 2018-19 OUA Honour recipients, visit oua.ca.
