The 2019-20 season is now officially in the books.
There was plenty to be proud of for the Lambton Lions this year, as it was a Banner Year even if there weren't any banners hung in the Lambton College Athletics & Fitness Complex.
Lambton fielded its first baseball team for the 2019-20 season, and while the record wasn't in their favour, a ton of progress was made towards building a contending program. On the soccer field, our Men's Soccer team ended its 25-year playoff drought when they advanced to the OCAA Crossover Game.
On the basketball court, both of our Men's and Women's Basketball programs advanced to the 2020 OCAA Championships. Lambton College served as the host institution for the Men's Championship, while the Women's program took to the court at St. Clair College. Both teams bowed out in the Quarterfinals, but being one of the last eight teams standing in the province is no slouch.
In total, the Lions had five players pick up OCAA awards at year's end, which is a testament to the talent that the Lions have to offer.
With the 2019-20 season now in the books, it was time to finish up our Online Awards Banquet. After releasing the Team Awards from April 13-16, 2020, it was time for the bigger hardware to be handed out on April 17th.
Here’s the full list of 2019-20 major award winners:
2020 Tracy Parnham Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award
The Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award is named after long time college employee Tracy Parnham who was a great supporter of inclusion and student success.
Tracy was awarded the Lambton College Athlete of the Year Award in 1989 alongside current Athletics Coordinator John Faragher.
"Tracy's involvement with CICE and athletics positively touched the lives of many students," says Faragher. "She was active with the Best Buddies program on campus and was instrumental in developing this Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award."
Tracy led by example as she attended as many Lambton College sporting events as she could. If she knew a student that was participating on a varsity or intramural team, she would be one of their biggest supporters. She combined Best Buddies events with home games and would often take up a large piece of the bleachers with a group of energetic and enthusiastic spectators.
Tracy took it upon herself to nominate two CICE students each year for Outstanding Athletic Achievement, allowing their abilities to shine, and we are proudly carrying on this tradition in her honour.
Female Winner: Jessica Radley
Jessica Radley is a second year student in the Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) program and is taking classes in the Criminal Justice Program. Jessica has been involved in sports since she was young. She played soccer and did gymnastics, but when she watched her sister do sports, it made her realize that doing something more athletic and challenging might be fun, so she gave cheerleading a try.
While she and her teammates from London Power Cheer didn’t win any big championships or titles, Jessica got trophies with my other team mates, and made friends along the way.
One coach Jessica really liked was Britney; “I looked up to her because she helped everyone get motivated and did so well teaching everyone the routines”.
Male Winner: Travis Skinner
Travis Skinner is just completing his first year in the Community Integration through Cooperative Education program and has been taking classes in the Developmental Social Worker Program. Travis has been involved in athletics in London since elementary school. After playing soccer from the ages of 6-9, he began playing football ever since he watched the NFL on television. At 13, he changed organizations and played with the London Jr. Mustangs, in the Defense line, until his graduation. Unfortunately, Travis had to take a break from playing when he became a Lambton College student. He has already signed with the London Beefeaters when he graduates next year.
Academically, Travis looks up to a former teacher at high school, Scott Nolan-“He inspired me to go into DSW”
Kyle Van Noy is the professional defensive player with the New England Patriots (Now plays for Miami), that Travis looks to for inspiration- In 2014, The Van Noy Valor Foundation was started by Kyle & his wife, with the mission statement that includes removing the stigma that many adopted children feel and encouraging personal valor in the lives of adopted children, those in foster care and disadvantaged youth by armoring them with success through resources, mentors and opportunities.
International Wellness and Student Life Award, Female Recipient: Mabel John
From Hanna Eroglu (Associate Dean, International Education) and Matthew Rose (Student Life Coordinator):
Mabel has shown leadership in her work as both Vice Chair (2019) and Chair (2020) of the International Women's Club. In her role, Mabel has promoted both physical as well as emotional wellness among our International Women population. Through guiding the IWC to hold a series of events including Latin Dance, Zumba, Line Dancing, and Yoga, as well as helping to co-ordinate presentations on female empowerment and mental health for women, Mabel has been a key driver in supporting health and wellness at Lambton. Mabel is approachable, supportive and calmly leads the International Women's Club to greater levels of impact.
International Wellness and Student Life Award, Male Recipient: Ashutosh Shwetal Kansara
From Hanna Eroglu (Associate Dean, International Education) and Matthew Rose (Student Life Coordinator):
Ashutosh is a native of Ahmedabad India, and moved to Canada in September of 2018 to study in the Business Management, International Business program at Lambton College. Since his arrival on Campus, Ashutosh has contributed mightily to Student Life at Lambton. He began as a Special Events volunteer in the SAC, where he helped plan and execute many events for domestic and International Students alike. Ashu (as he is affectionately known around Campus) decided to continue his philanthropic efforts by pursuing the International Orientation Volunteer position with the International Department, where he assisted new incoming International Students in their acclimatization into their new academic home and the Sarnia Community. Finally, Ashutosh closed out his studies by attaining a volunteer position within the SAC as a Student Life assistant for the 2019-2020 Academic year. During the last 8 months alone, Ashutosh has been responsible for planning and coordinating large scale student life events such as Boat Cruise pub nights, Social Media Trivia, Student Appreciation Weeks, Bollywood Nights, and International Education week. Ashutosh, your efforts made throughout the last 2 years, have truly impacted the lives of every student on Campus here at Lambton College.
International Athlete of the Year: Ashutosh Shwetal Kansara
Female Intramural Most Dedicated Athlete of the Year: Skylar Whalley
From Athletics Coordinator John Faragher:
“Skylar Whalley was a key piece to Monday Night Floor Hockey this year. Her work with classmates to organize the first semester Floor Hockey tournament helped to ensure a smooth event for all of those involved. We hope to have Skylar, and others, involved as we look to solidify our Intramural offerings into the future.”
Male Intramural Most Dedicated Athlete of the Year: Bryce Fraser
From Athletics Coordinator John Faragher:
“Along with Skylar, Bryce Fraser helped to put on a fantastic Floor Hockey event in first semester as part of their Tournaments and Leagues class. From coordinating statistics to running the Draw Board, Bryce helped ensure that the students were treated to a top-class event.”
SAC Distinguished Student-Athlete Award: Madison Leader
From James Grant (SAC General Manager) and Kyle McVittie (SAC President)
“Madison Leader is a very skilled soccer player. She has excellent ball control and the ball seems to be magnetized to her feet. Madison plays several positions and her versatility is greatly appreciated by the coaches. The one thing that stands out is her love for the game. She rarely misses a game or a training session”
SAC Distinguished Student-Athlete Award: Byamungu Ngakira
From James Grant (SAC General Manager) and Kyle McVittie (SAC President)
“Byamungu Ngakira came to Lambton College and has instantly made himself one of the most trusted and likable varsity athletes at the school while holding down a tremendous GPA. "BMan", as he is known on campus, has excelled in the College's fire program while also progressing on the court to the point of seeing valuable minutes at the OCAA tournament in his rookie campaign. The experience is well deserved and he looks to have a great career ahead of him with Lions hoops.”
Spirit of Sport Award: Morgan Wagg
“"She has become relentless. Morgan was by far our most consistent player in big games this season. Always there to support her teammates, she embodies what the Spirit of Sport Award means.”
Spirit of Sport Award: Zack Wardell
“When you think of a good teammate, you think of someone who is there to support those around them through thick and thin. That is Zack Wardell. Not many people have the ability that Zack possesses of uniting a 25 man roster. He did. The baseball program at Lambton College will continue to build and program but that might not have been the case without Zack on the roster of our first ever Lions ball club.”
Lambton College Alumni Association Excellence Awards
The Lambton College Alumni Association Excellence Awards are given to graduating Lambton College student-athletes who excel academically as well as athletically. These award winners have demonstrated leadership, integrity and respect while competing in athletics and succeeding in the classroom. They are admirable ambassadors of Lambton College.
Lambton College Alumni Association Excellence Award: Julia McMichael, Women’s Basketball
From the Alumni Association:
“The Alumni Excellence Award for Women’s Basketball turns a much-needed spotlight on a major sparkplug for the 2019-2020 Lambton Lions. For Julia McMichael, the stat sheet will never tell the full story. What Julia brings instead is an unwavering commitment to her team and a work ethic that never quits. Julia leads by example, inspiring her teammates to work harder, strive further, and raise their standards in games and in practice. Julia is always ready to step in and can be counted on to gut it out alongside her teammates for the tough victories and is known to spark big wins when they matter most. Unsurprisingly, Julia’s dedication and hard work extends to her academics. She has completed the Lambton College Pre-Community Services program and will be continuing her education in London.”
Lambton College Alumni Association Excellence Award: Madison Leader
From the Alumni Association:
“The aptly named Madison Leader is a star both on the soccer field and in the classroom. Madison’s love for soccer runs deep and manifests as unparalleled dedication to the sport and to her team. She rarely ever missed a game or training session with the Lions, which was greatly appreciated by her teammates and coaches as Madison’s talent and versatility allowed her to play several positions. Madison displayed such excellent ball control her coach commented that the ball seemed magnetized to her feet. Unsurprisingly, Madison’s work ethic and dedication extends into her academic work. She is on the Dean’s List and will be graduating from the Child & Youth Care program.”
Lambton College Alumni Association Excellence Award: Forrest Boire
From the Alumni Association:
“For the past three years, Forrest Boire has been a standout on the Lambton College ESports team as well as in the local ESports scene. In addition to making an impact with his own gaming skills, Forrest has taken on mentorship and coaching roles on the Lambton College team. He has also displayed an admirable commitment to growing the sport and engaging local youth and has been a pillar of community ESports events and kids programs held at the Lambton College Esports Arena. Among other accomplishments, Forrest created the popular Fortnite Friday event for kids and was instrumental in the development of the local Smash Bros Ultimate scene. Forrest will be graduating from the Business Administration program and will be continuing his education at Nipissing University.”
Lambton College Alumni Association Excellence Award: Brady Hogg
From the Alumni Association:
“As a Lambton Lions baseball player, Brady Hogg will go down in history. Lambton College fielded its first baseball team in the 2019-2020 academic year and Brady entered the record books as the first Lion to ever hit a homerun in the OCAA, sending one over the fences at Seneca College in Toronto. Brady followed that up by becoming the first Lion to ever hit a homerun at Errol Russel Park in the Lions’ inaugural home opener. Brady’s bat stayed hot all season as he registered a .316 batting average, an on-base percentage of .458, and a slugging percentage of .737. Brady will be graduating from the Chemical Production & Power Engineering Technology program, and Lions fans hoping to see more from this superstar can follow his accomplishments with Team Canada Softball.”
Lambton College Alumni Association Excellence Award: Alex Trotter
From the Alumni Association:
“As a veteran of the Lambton Lions men’s soccer team, Alex Trotter has had four seasons to work on his leadership on and off the field. He’s used his time wisely. Alex has spent a total of five years at Lambton College and has helped his fellow students as a residence don for all five of those years. High-achieving and highly-driven academically, he has completed the Pre-Service Fire program, the Fire Science program, the Pre-Health program, and will soon be graduating from the Paramedic program. Alex is so serious about succeeding in his studies he took a year off from soccer to dedicate his time and energy to the first year of his Paramedic program. His coach was able to convince him to come back for the 2019-2020 season where he helped lead the Lions to their first playoff appearance in 25 years. Following his graduation from the Paramedic program Alex will be applying to fire departments across Ontario.”
Lambton College Alumni Association Excellence Award: Tyler Grevers
From the Alumni Association:
“It would be easy for someone with the talent of Tyler Grevers to feel as though he contributes enough to his college through his exceptional basketball play, but Tyler has never been content to limit his effort and excellence to the court. Tyler is a key member of the Lambton Lions men’s basketball team and he’s known as the ultimate teammate both on and off the floor. He has also worked hard for the Athletics department and with the Student Administrative Council in support of his fellow students, helping to ensure the Lambton College student life experience remains outstanding. Tyler will be graduating from the Sports and Recreation program on the Honour Roll.”
Female Athlete of the Year: Cassidy Crowe, Women’s Basketball
“In just her first season with the Lions, Cassidy Crowe made her presence felt, both on the court and in the hallways of Lambton College. In the classroom, she earned herself OCAA All-Academic and CCAA All-Academic status, putting the STUDENT in student-athlete. On the court, her return to the game of basketball helped propel the Lions to an 11-7 record and a fourth-place finish in the regular season. She ranked among the OCAA leaders in scoring, rebounding, and steals, while leading the province in blocks.”
Male Athlete of the Year: Jason Watts II, Men’s Basketball
“Jason Watts has been one of the most transformative student-athletes to walk the halls in the history of Lambton College Athletics. Watts' personality is infectious and really created an atmosphere of success in the halls when it came to varsity sports. Watts was a provincial all-star and led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocks. He will leave the program as one of the most prolific players in all three categories in program history.”