On March 23rd Loyalist College celebrated the excellence of its athletes and coaches at the 43rd annual Athletic Banquet. Brittany Gray, a varsity volleyball player, was named Female Athlete of the Year, and Sean McMurtry, a member of the men’s rugby team, was presented with the Male Athlete of the Year award.
Brittany Gray, from Madoc, is an Accounting student and a graduate of the Developmental Services Worker program. She is an Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) Academic Award winner, a Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) Academic All Canadian and an OCAA League All-Star. Brittany represented the College at the Provincial OCAA All-Star game and was the recipient of the Loyalist women’s volleyball MVP award. She described herself as a bit overwhelmed when she was named Female Athlete of the Year. “This has been a year of exceptional moments—being recognized as a league All-Star, overthrowing Trent, making it to the Provincials which were hosted by the College—what a year. My teammates, everyone in the athletic department, and faculty members—all the relationships I’ve built are the very best part of college.”
Sean McMurtry is a second-year Nursing student from Picton. “When I came to Loyalist I knew I would be going to Brock University for the final two years of the Nursing program. Tonight, it feels like that time is approaching too quickly. Loyalist has been so good to me, and what a year we have had. I can definitely leave on a high note—undefeated and our second rugby championship.” Sean was MVP for Loyalist’s rugby team, team captain, and an OCAA Academic Award winner. For the second consecutive year he was named OCAA Division II Player of the Year. This is also the second time Sean has been named Loyalist’s Male Athlete of the Year.
“Tonight I’d like to express the pride and appreciation the College has for you,” said Jim Buck, Manager of Athletics and Campus Recreation, when addressing the athletes. “In addition to the commitment you make to your team, you are strong supporters of each other. The stands were packed when we hosted the Division II Rugby Championship. Your school spirit and Lancer pride were evident as you cheered our team on to victory. You were exceptional Loyalist ambassadors when we hosted the Women’s Provincial Volleyball Championship in February. We received overwhelming praise from the participating colleges for our hospitality and the organization of the event. This is a definite reflection of you, the leaders and team players who generously volunteered your time and assistance.”
Other athletic award recipients included Tyler Berry, Vanessa Brault, Tori Buck, Nancy Castillo, Calvin Chevannes, Bryan Cole, Brendan Conway, Courtney Dickson, Kirsten Geisler, Greg Gillespie, Samantha Goff, Meghan Healey, Lisa Hill, Kyle Holm, Jesse Jones, Amanda Kean, Josh Lappala, Nick Liard, Averil Luck, Trevor Mayer, Matt Miller, Kaitlyn McConnell, Joannie Savard, Ashley Scaletta-Brooker, Haley Sisler, and Matt Woods.
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Left to right – Brittany Gray, Loyalist President Maureen Piercy and Sean McMurtry
Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College, (613) 969-1913 ext. 2332, e-mail: mwarren@loyalistc.on.ca, or Jim Buck, Manager of Athletics and Campus Recreation, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2245