Leadership Awards: Recognizing the student-athletes who went above and beyond in a pandemic season

MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Let's face it: the 2020-21 season was unlike any other in MacEwan Griffins history.

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the cancellation of all competition and team training opportunities limited, it's difficult to hold a proper season-ending awards ceremony.

That doesn't mean the hard work our student-athletes have put in over a trying season should go unrecognized.

While normally we would be announcing Athletes of the Year, Rookies of the Year, Team of the Year and team-by-team Most Outstanding and Most Improved awards at a season-ending late March banquet, this year will be different.

In lieu of those honours, we will be recognizing our student-athletes with individual Leadership Awards by team, Academic Awards by faculty and our traditional Academic Team of the Year Award, which goes to the team with the highest combined GPA.

With that in mind, here is our schedule:

Today – Leadership Awards

March 26-30 – Academic Awards (one faculty per day on Instagram). Stay tuned to @MacEwanGriffins for the reveal

Tuesday, March 30 – Academic Awards recap article

Wednesday, March 31 – Academic Team of the Year

Leadership Awards

Women's Basketball

Co-winners: Drew Knox and Shannon Majeau

Coach Katherine Adams on Drew: "Throughout a season that presented ongoing challenges, Drew Knox's leadership and commitment to serve MacEwan Athletics and the women's basketball program has remained strong. She has her finger on the pulse of the team and knows what has been needed for both individuals and the larger group as we have navigated the ever-changing COVID landscape. Drew is a great teammate and friend who has worked tirelessly to keep the team connected over the past year. She has also been a strong advocate for education on mental health and social justice within the team and greater athletic community."

Coach Katherine Adams on Shannon: "A reliable and consistent leader for Griffins Athletics and the women's basketball team, Shannon has continued to lead the way for her peers, teammates, and coaches. Whether it be her commitment and discipline in training, connecting and motivating her teammates, or excelling in the classroom, she has exceeded expectations and modelled the way. Shannon was instrumental in the design and implementation of our Shoot for the Cure fund-raising initiative and has been great ambassador for MacEwan and Griffins Athletics in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes." 

Men's Basketball

Co-winners: Jesse Trussler and Alex Jap

Coach Mike Connolly: "Jesse and Alex have kept in touch with our players during the pandemic through zooms and they have developed zoom skills that are of the highest standard. They have kept the flow of information coming into the team representing our team on the Student Athlete Council."

Cross Country

Winner: Daniella Wasielewski

Teammates' comments: "Dani has dedicated so much of her time to the team. She attended every SAC meeting and would bring different team members with her, so we all knew what went on at the meetings and were prepared for when she graduates. She was the first from the team to volunteer for the Griffins, and she would ensure that everyone on the team would be able to take a shift and participate. If no one were able to volunteer, she would take extra shifts to help the team."

"She kept us informed, and she would ensure everyone knew what time the bus leaves or what time we had to meet at the airport for travel trips. She would remind us what we had to wear and ensured we looked professional anywhere we went. When Drew (Carver) was away with athletes on trips, Dani would sub in and lead training and ensure our training remained consistent."

"During 2018-2020, Dani was responsible for half the team being able to come to training. She would drive so many of us to ensure we could make it. We appreciate her kindness in driving us to training and back home. Even when injured, Dani still made it to every training session."

"The team agrees she was a mentor, and she always helped to encourage and support the team. She would do anything for us. She is someone we can go to and talk about anything. Her knowledge and compassion make her a wonderful person to cheer you up and tell you precisely what you need to hear."

"Dani was a friend to everyone on the team. She will be missed greatly as team captain. The team would not be where it is without her."

Women's Hockey

Winner: Natalie Bender

Coach Lindsay McAlpine: "Natalie Bender is the complete student-athlete package. During a year where COVID has flipped the lives of our athletes upside down, Natalie has met the challenges with grace, optimism and continued success. She was named Student Athlete Council President, achieved top marks in the Faculty of Business all while leading various community service campaigns across not only the Women's Hockey Team, but all of Griffins Athletics. Some of the initiatives Natalie spearheaded for MacEwan include Bell Let's Talk Day, MaskUp MacEwan, RBC Development/Financial Literacy Series, Clothing Drive for the Bissell Centre, Boyle Street, and Sexual Violence Awareness Week."

Men's Hockey

Winner: Cam Gotaas

Coach Michael Ringrose: "For the past three years Cam has served as team captain of the men's hockey program, and before that served as an assistant captain for one. An incredible leader on the ice who played in every situation, Cam won a championship in every year that it was possible (his final two seasons impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic) and finished his tenure at MacEwan third in all-time scoring (106 points) and second in all-time playoff scoring (18 points). A dedicated student, this year Cam graduates with his degree in Commerce with honours, but his contributions to the institution go far beyond what he's done on the ice and in the classroom including sitting on the Student Athlete Council for two years, and spearheading the Griffin for a Day legacy program in memory of Nakehko Lamothe."

Women's Soccer

Winner: Samantha Gouveia

Coach Dean Cordeiro: "Samantha Gouveia is captain of the women's soccer team and one of our top players. She's a true leader on and off the pitch. She participates and supports awareness initiatives such as CIBC Run for the Cure event, Sexual Violence Awareness week, and Bell Let's Talk week. She volunteers at mentorship camps for youth soccer clubs, coaching for school sport teams, and for Read in Week as a guest reader for several schools. She has donated her time to 630 CHED's Santa's Anonymous and Trail Appliances' Toy Mountain. Samantha also organized team community projects such as Griffs do Good Deeds and MaskUp MacEwan. In the classroom, she is a dedicated student, maintaining honours in her Bachelor of Arts program. Samantha sets a high standard of achievement for the athletes around her and is a great ambassador for the Griffins."

Men's Soccer

Winner: Alex Mosca

Coach Adam Loga: "Alex has been a two-year captain of the MacEwan men's soccer program.  Mosca, when available, has featured in every single game-day roster since 2016 and has been a crucial part of our transition into U SPORTS and Canada West. His professionalism, leadership, and care for his teammates is contagious, and he modelled himself day-in and day-out as a person of great character. Graduating this year, Alex will always be remembered as a consistent/versatile player and a builder of the men's soccer program, but most importantly as a great person."

Women's Volleyball

Winner: Kylie Schubert

Coach Ken Briggs: "Kylie Schubert is the pulse of Griffins women's volleyball, from her guidance to first-year players through the academic process of scheduling and planning, to her leadership in the virtual training world. She is a multi-year U SPORTS Academic All Canadian and is on track to be one again. As one of the Griffins' most experienced players, she shared her knowledge online, through weekly video sessions. She was the conduit to all team communication, social media, and unique team building activities, throughout the pandemic. Kylie remained as active as possible in the community, coaching and running youth sessions under strict Alberta guidelines. Her spirit and love for the program led her teammates through the toughest of athletic experiences this past year. Her selfless focus has been to mentor and prepare her returning teammates for next season and the future." 

Men's Volleyball

Co-winners: Noah Johnson and Jordan Peters

Coach Brad Poplawski on Noah: "He has led team meetings and initiatives throughout the pandemic as we were unable to get together as a team. He has been extremely welcoming and helpful to all our first-year athletes both on and off-court. Has pushed himself and his teammates in their off-court training."

Coach Brad Poplawski on Jordan: "He has led by example with his hard work and encouraging teammates in their physical development. He has been a great example to his teammates as someone who is always willing to put in hard work and commitment."