April 10 TWU’s Chris Meehan represents Canada West

Men’s Volleyball (BLG)
Monday, April 10, 2006

BLG Nominee’s Announced in Calgary
TWU’s Chris Meehan represents Canada West for CIS Player of the Year

CALGARY (CIS/BLG) - Doug Mitchell, National Co-Chairman and Regional Managing Partner of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) in Calgary, proudly announced on Monday the nominees for the 14th annual BLG Awards, honouring the top Canadian Interuniversity Sport female and male athletes for the 2005-06 season.

The BLG Award winners will be announced at a ceremony on Monday, May 1st, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary, and will be broadcast on TSN on May 13, at 11 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Each award recipient will receive a scholarship of $10,000.

2006 BLG Awards Web site: www.blgcanada.com/blgawards

"Borden Ladner Gervais has a long standing tradition of service to the community. We pride ourselves on our ability to recognize needs in the community and do our part to contribute," said Mitchell. "We understand the financial constraints on athletic programs at Canadian universities so in partnership with the CIS and the Canadian Athletic Foundation (CAF) we established the BLG Awards to profile the exemplary talents of university athletes."

The female nominees for the 2006 BLG Award (Jim Thompson Trophy) and CIS athlete-of-the-year honours are University of Saskatchewan basketball player Sarah Crooks of Fife Lake, Sask., Brock University hockey player Kate Allgood of Toronto, Laval University volleyball player Marylène Laplante of St-Elzéar-de-Beauce, Que., and Dalhousie University cross country runner Janice Ashworth of Dunrobin, Ont.

The male finalists are Trinity Western University volleyball player Chris Meehan of Clearwater, B.C., Carleton University basketball player Osvaldo Jeanty of Gloucester, Ont., McGill University hockey player Mathieu Poitras of Gatineau, Que., and University of New Brunswick swimmer Daniel Monid of Mississauga, Ont., the only student athlete from the group nominated for the second consecutive year.

“Being a nominee for the BLG award is a tremendous honor both for me and for Trinity Western University (TWU).  Trinity Western has a complete champion [approach] program which encourages athlete development in five major aspects of life: athletic, spiritual, academic, leadership, and personal.  I feel that I have been encouraged and challenged in each of these areas of my life over the last five years at TWU,” commented TWU’s Chris Meehan. “Due to the conscious efforts of my coach and the staff at Trinity Western I have been pushed out of my comfort zone, I have been stretched, and I feel that I have greatly benefited from the process. The BLG award means a lot to me as an athlete, leader, and student.  To be recognized at this capacity in Canada is a great honor and blessing.”
 
“There is little doubt that Chris has been the catalyst in our programs success over the past few seasons.  He is a very talented athlete with a strong desire to perform to the best of his ability.  What makes his achievements even greater however, is the person Chris is,” said TWU’s men’s volleyball coach Ron Pike. “In Chris you get someone with impeccable character, a passion to pursue excellence, a genuine care for those around him and the desire to lead people.   I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with Chris over the last 5 years.”   

"Canadian Interuniversity Sport is grateful to the support and efforts of Borden Ladner Gervais in recognizing the best in Canadian university athletics," commented CIS President, Dick White. "This event will be a highlight in the exceptional careers of these eight outstanding student athletes. On behalf of the CIS I'd like to congratulate each of them on an extraordinary season."

Former BLG Award winners include two-time Olympic gold medalist Kim St-Pierre (McGill, hockey), three-time Olympic bronze medalist Curtis Myden (Calgary, swimming), Olympians Brian Johns (UBC, swimming), Elizabeth Warden (Toronto, swimming) and Foy Williams (Toronto, track & field), former CFL star Don Blair (Calgary, football), and newly signed NFL free agent Jesse Lumsden (McMaster, football).

2005-06 BLG Award nominees

Canada West Universities Athletic Association

Sarah Crooks
University of Saskatchewan: Basketball
Year of eligibility: 4
Academic program: Arts & Science (English)
Hometown: Fife Lake, Sask.

6-foot-2, fourth-year forward Sarah Crooks was named CIS women's basketball player of the year in 2005-06. She led the CIS in rebounding in the regular season averaging 13.4 per game, and was second in the nation in scoring with 23.6 points per outing, recording 17 double-doubles in 20 conference games. The 22-year-old led the Huskies to their best-ever season with a 17-3 conference record, first-ever Canada West title, and first berth to the CIS nationals since 1982. The arts and science student earned a third consecutive selection as an all-Canadian, her second straight as a member of the first team, and was also the Canada West defensive player of the year. Crooks, who only started playing competitive basketball in grade 10, has been a member of the Canadian national squad the last two summers, helping the team to its first world championship berth in 10 years this past fall. She comes from a family of 12 children, larger than this year's ten-player Huskie squad.

Chris Meehan
Trinity Western University: Volleyball
Year of eligibility: 5
Academic program: School of Business
Hometown: Clearwater, B.C.

22-year-old middle and right-side hitter Chris Meehan was the heart and soul of the Spartans in his fifth and final university campaign as he led Trinity Western to its first-ever CIS men's volleyball title with a dominating, straight-set win over heavily-favoured Alberta in the national final. The business student was named tournament MVP at the nationals in Hamilton, where he was named player of the game in two of the Spartans three duels, including the gold-medal match-up. Meehan earned first-team all-Canadian status for the second time in his career following the regular season after leading the nation in blocks per game (1.33) and total blocks (73), and ranking third in the country in kill percentage (50%) and fourth in the Canada West in service aces per game (0.52). Meehan represented Canada at the 2005 Summer Universiade in Izmir, Turkey.

Ontario University Athletics

Kate Allgood
Brock University: Hockey
Year of eligibility: 3
Academic program: Psychology
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.

5-foot-5 centre Kate Allgood made history in 2005-06 as she became the first player from the OUA to be named CIS women's hockey player of the year. Allgood ran away with the OUA scoring title in her second season with the Badgers, tallying 26 goals and 12 assists for 38 points in 23 conference games to finish with 15 more goals and 12 more points than her closest conference rivals. Her goal total was second best in the CIS, while she placed ninth in the nation's scoring race. The 26-year-old forward also tied for second in the country with three hat-tricks, including a spectacular performance on Nov. 26 when she scored all four Badger goals in a 4-1 win over nationally-ranked Queen's. The third-year psychology student had already led the CIS with 25 goals in '04-05, when she finished second in the OUA and fourth in the nation with 43 points. Allgood, who was also named to the first all-Canadian team this season after receiving second-team honours in '04-05, joined the Badgers after playing for one season at NCAA Division I Clarkson University, where she was named team MVP.

Osvaldo Jeanty
Carleton University: Basketball
Year of eligibility: 4
Academic program: Commerce / Business
Hometown: Gloucester, Ont.

6-foot, fourth-year guard Osvaldo Jeanty was named CIS men's basketball player of the year in 2005-06. The team captain led the Ravens and finished eighth in the OUA in scoring during the regular season averaging 14.8 points per outing over 22 games. The 22-year-old commerce student led the OUA in three-point shots made with 62, banking 45 percent of his attempts, and finished first in the OUA and fourth in the nation with an 85.9 percent success rate from the free-throw line. As he has now done for the past four years, Jeanty once again elevated his game during the last stretch of the campaign, helping Carleton become only the second team in history to capture four straight W.P. McGee Trophies as CIS champion. At the CIS Final 10 in Halifax, he was named player of the game in all three Ravens contests, MVP of the national final for the fourth straight year, and tournament MVP for the second time. His lifetime record as a Raven at the CIS championship is a perfect 12-0, part of his astounding 101-4 regular and post-season career mark at Carleton, good for a .962 winning percentage.

Quebec Student Sports Federation

Marylène Laplante
Laval University: Volleyball
Year of eligibility: 4
Academic program: MBA (Accounting)
Hometown: St-Elzéar-de-Beauce, Que.

5-foot-8 outside hitter Marylène Laplante was named CIS women's volleyball player of the year for the second time in her career in 2005-06, after receiving the honour in '02-03. The 25-year-old MBA student led the Quebec conference with 4.02 points per game (fifth CIS) and finished fourth with 2.89 kills per game. She also led the nation with 0.74 service aces per set, and finished among the top 10 in Quebec in digs, blocks and kill percentage. Laplante, who earned her fourth nomination as an all-Canadian in as many years of CIS competition, and her third on the first squad, led the Rouge et Or to its first-ever national title this season, capping off an unblemished 37-0 campaign against CIS opponents. A member of the Canadian team at the 2005 Summer Universiade in Izmir, Turkey Laplante was back with the Rouge et Or this season after a one-year absence. She played professional volleyball in France with Lyon Saint-Fons in '04-05.

Mathieu Poitras
McGill University: Hockey
Year of eligibility: 2
Academic program: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Gatineau, Que.

The 2004-05 CIS men's hockey rookie of the year, Mathieu Poitras enjoyed one of the best seasons by a goaltender in CIS history in his sophomore campaign between the pipes for the Redmen. Poitras was voted MVP of the OUA, a member of the first all-Canadian team, and was a finalist for the Sullivan Trophy as CIS player of the year in '05-06. The 22-year-old mechanical engineering student established a Canadian university record with seven shutouts in 17 regular season starts, eclipsing the previous mark of six set by Chuck Goddard of Saint Mary's in '72-73 and tied by Luc Bélanger of UQTR in '97-98, and snapping his own McGill record of five established last year. The Redmen goals against average as a team (1.21) in conference play was also a new CIS mark. Poitras racked up a 14-1-2 record in league play and led the nation in four major categories: goals against average (1.40), shutouts (7), save percentage (.947) and wins (14; tied for first). His spectacular play helped the Redmen advance to the CIS championship for the first time since the inception of the University Cup tournament in 1962-63. Poitras has been invited to NHL tryout camps by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Washington Capitals.

Atlantic University Sport

Janice Ashworth
Dalhousie University: Cross Country / Track & Field
Year of eligibility: 3
Academic program: Science
Hometown: Dunrobin, Ont.

21-year-old Janice Ashworth continued her domination of AUS cross country running last fall, winning all three conference events she entered in and capturing her third individual AUS title in as many years on the university circuit to help the Tiger women finish second in team standings. The science student followed up with another exceptional showing at the CIS championship in Halifax, crossing the finish line in second position for the third consecutive season, and earning first-team all-Canadian status for the third straight year.

Daniel Monid
University of New Brunswick: Swimming
Year of eligibility: 5
Academic program: Education
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.

23-year-old Daniel Monid was named AUS male swimmer of the year for the fourth straight season in 2005-06 after claiming four gold medals at the conference championship. The sprint specialist followed up at the CIS championship in Quebec City by successfully defending his title on 50 metres freestyle and claiming his second consecutive silver medal on 100m freestyle, en route to earning all-Canadian status for the fourth straight campaign. The Varsity Reds team captain represented Canada at the 2005 Summer Universiade in Izmir, Turkey, and was also invited to the Commonwealth Games trials.

The BLG Awards

The BLG Awards were established in 1993 to recognize the top male and female athletes from Universities affiliated with Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

The BLG Awards are based on athletic accomplishments, outstanding sportsmanship, and leadership ability. Each of the 52 CIS schools selects one male and one female athlete of the year. From these nominees, one male and one female athlete are chosen within each of the four regional associations: Atlantic, Canada West, Ontario, and Quebec. To be eligible, a student athlete must have competed in a CIS sport for two years, and cannot be a previous recipient of a BLG Award.

Nominees receive a commemorative gold ring, and winners are presented with a trophy and a $10,000 scholarship to attend a Canadian University graduate school. Winners are selected by the Canadian Athletic Foundation, a not-for-profit Board established for the purpose of administering the BLG Awards and protecting the integrity of the selection process. The CAF Board of Trustees consists of 24 members from six Canadian cities representing 18 major corporations from across the country who are committed to ensuring that Canadian University athletes receive the recognition they deserve.

Entertainment at this year's BLG Awards ceremony will be provided by Nashville-based (Canadian-raised) singer/songwriter Johnny Reid. Reid's 2005 album, Born to Roll, has already generated three top hits on the Canadian charts, leading to his nomination for the 2005 Canadian Country Music Awards Rising Star of the Year. The raspy soulfulness of Reid's compellingly gritty voice has been compared to Rod Stewart and John Mellencamp. http://www.johnnyreid.com

Over the years, the BLG Awards have received strong support from the Calgary business community. This year's sponsors are: TSN, WestJet, Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire, Ideal Printing Company, The Calgary Herald, The Calgary Sun, White Iron Productions, Sorrenti's Catering, Intergold and Budget Car and Truck Rental.

About Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is among Canada's most respected full-service national law firms. With more than 690 lawyers, intellectual property agents and other professionals in six offices across the country, BLG provides corporate legal services to a wide range of clients nationally and internationally in virtually every area of law. For further information, visit www.blgcanada.com

About Canadian Interuniversity Sport

Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. 52 universities, 10,000 student-athletes and 550 coaches vie for 19 national championships in 11 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, and numerous world university championships. For all the CIS news and info, visit: www.universitysport.ca

About Trinity Western University

As official members of Canadian Interuniversity Sport, the Spartans compete in six sports in the Canada West division of the CIS: Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Basketball and Volleyball. During their seven years as members of the CIS and Canada West TWU has won two national championship; men’s volleyball in 2005-06, women’s soccer in 2004-05 , two Canada West titles; one in women’s soccer in 2004-05 and one in men’s soccer in 2005-06. The Spartans have won five CIS championship medals. Men’s volleyball took gold this year, silver in 2004-05 and bronze in 2003-04, women’s soccer won gold in 2004-05, and men’s soccer earned bronze in 2005-06

Trinity Western University, located in Langley, B.C., is a not-for-profit Christian liberal arts university enrolling over 3,500 students this year. With a broad based, liberal arts and sciences curriculum, the University offers undergraduate degrees in 38 major areas of study ranging from business, education and computer science to biology and nursing, and 13 other graduate degrees including counselling psychology, theology and administrative leadership.
-contributions from CIS

About TWU’s Complete Champions Approach

The Complete Champion Approach helps Spartan Student-Athletes become complete people and champions in all areas of their lives. This program seeks to address the whole person (spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, and social).  The Complete Champion Approach is designed to help student-athletes use their God-given talents and intellect to live a life of significance, experiencing true personal success and powerfully influencing their family and their community.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2007-10-21
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca