WATERLOO, Ont. – Monday evening Wilfrid Laurier University's Department of Athletics and Recreation hosted its annual athletic banquet recognizing the achievements of its coaches, players and staff at the Wilfrid Laurier Athletic Complex. 24 Rookies and MVPs were recognized for their performance on their respective teams. The department also awarded its twelve major awards to acknowledge contributors and outstanding athletes at Laurier. The major award winners are as follows:

The President's Award is for the most outstanding athletic performance from a male and female over the past year.  This year's recipients are Dillon Heap and Liz Knox. Knox, a fourth year sociology student was named a first-team All-Canadian – and was also named both the CIS & OUA Player of the Year in Women's Hockey. While being first in the OUA in save percentage, this team netminder helped lead her team to a seventh consecutive OUA Championship. Heap is a third year business student from Waterloo. Named a 1st Team All-Canadian, Heap was also a two time OUA all-star for both receiving and special teams. He led the nation in all-purpose yards and set a CIS record in punt return yardage in seven games. The two winners move on to represent Laurier as nominees for Ontario University Athletics' players of the year.

The Rich Newbrough Rookie of the Year Award is for the most outstanding athletic performance from a male and female rookie over the past year.  Julie Gordon from the women's volleyball team and on the men's side Andrew Greenberg from the men's baseball team were the winners. Gordon, a first year Psychology student hailing from Barrie, was named an OUA second team all-star and the OUA West Rookie of the Year. She also was named to the CIS all-rookie team as well as the OUA all-rookie team. Greenberg, from the baseball program was named to the OUA Rookie of the Year, to pick up that award for the program for a second straight year.  The Richmond Hill native threw a one-hitter in his first game and compiled 12 strikeouts in seven appearances.

Luke Fusco Academic Athletic Achievement Award honours the male and female athlete who best combines academic and athletic achievement.  This year's recipients are Dillon Heap and Liz Knox who also both claimed the President's award. Heap is a member of the Golden Hawk football team and posted a 10.13 GPA (out of 12) as a Business major.  On the field, this receiver led the team in receiving yardage. Knox, the goalie for Laurier's provincial champion women' hockey team has a 9.2 GPA in Sociology. More recently, this Stouffville native also claimed bronze at the CIS championship and received the 2010 Outstanding Women of Laurier Award.

Fred Nichols Community Service Leadership Award recognizes the male and female student-athlete or student-leader who gives back to our community though volunteer commitments and/or fundraising efforts. The first recipients of this award are Jeremy Chemij, the Letterman President and Alyssa Lagonia from the women's soccer team. Lagonia, who also plays on Canada's senior national women's soccer team, volunteers at the Region of Waterloo's children's museum and at the Family of Canadian Soldiers in Afganistan welcome home gala. On the men's side, Chemij, helped to organize a kids day on the Laurier campus as well as the interuniversity powder puff tournament which benefitted the Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Marty Wamsley Junior Trainer of the Year Award is given to the student trainer whose performance of duties is deemed most valuable to WLU Athletics.  This year the award recipient is fifth year kinesiology major Katie Sheridan. She has worked with the men's football program for the last five years. This student trainer has continued to develop and work with one of the most challenging sports at Laurier. She has been accepted to the Canadian Memorial Chiropratic College next year.

Earle C. Shelley Unsung Hero Award goes to a person within the Wilfrid Laurier Community who unselfishly gives much time and effort into the overall success of the athletics program.  This year's recipient is Lois Wood.  She is the associate registrar and is the go to person in the Office of the Reistrar for student athlete admissions. She also assists in the recruitment of the best student-athletes in Ontario.

Tuffy Knight Award pays recognition to a person not affiliated with the university, for their untiring efforts over an extended period of time.  This year's recipient is Dean Boles.  Throughout his twenty plus years as an active member of the Laurier community, Dean has been instrumental in the success the Golden Hawks have had in the pool. Having recently been hired as Swim Ontario's Mentor Coach, he has left a legacy of excellence that will echo into the future.

Chuck Classen Team Manager of the Year Award goes to a student leader who helps to make a lasting contribution to the varsity athletics program as a team manager. This year's award recipient is Carolyn Shier from the women's hockey program. She has been with the team for four years and manages every facet for them. Always willing to go the extra mile to make the team better, she consistently worked double duty for the team, doing the work of both a team manager and student therapist.

Dean E. Brandon Award is awarded to the female contributing most to Athletics. This year's recipient Andrea Elliott, receives the award for a second straight year. She has been involved in athletics since her first year, starting off working events and then moving to basketball event coordinator in her second season. For the past two years she has been the volleyball event coordinator and the president of the Women's Athletic Association.

Bill Haggstrom Trophy is awarded to the male contributing most to Athletics. This year's award winner is Chris Moore. This prestigious award goes to an individual who has been a student leader in the department for the last two years. He has been seen all over our facilities, from the Hawk Desk to the fitness desk, this individual is always working. As the hockey coordinator he led the charge to bring Chuck-A-Puck to every game.

Glenn Carroll Team of the Year Award is presented to the Women's Hockey Team. The team claimed their seventh straight OUA banner to tie the record for most consecutive championships in their sport. The team went on to the national championship to claim Laurier's first ever bronze medal in women's hockey.

The following are this season's Rookie's of the Year and Most Valuable Players:

Rookie's of the Year:
Men's Baseball – Andrew Greenberg
Men's Basketball –Maxwell Allin
Women's Basketball –Alena Luciani
Cheerleading – Samantha Clarke
Men's Cross Country – Brett Cameron
Women's Cross Country – Jennifer Laughton
Men's Curling – Joel Waters
Women's Curling –Pamela Feldkamp
Figure Skating –Brittany Maksymyk
Men's Football – Alex Anthony
Men's Golf – Brett Murray
Men's Hockey –Mitchell Good
Women's Hockey – Candice Styles
Women's Field Lacrosse – Jory Garibaldi
Men's Middle Distance – Brent Meidinger
Women's Middle Distance –Lindsay Wright
Men's Rugby – Corey Klempner
Women's Rugby –Christine Jennings
Men's Soccer –Jarrett Humphreys
Women's Soccer – Tristin Vogel
Men's Swimming –Nemanja Colic
Women's Swimming –Renee Dijk
Men's Volleyball –Alexander Khuskivadze
Women's Volleyball – Julie Gordon    

Most Valuable Players:
Men's Baseball – Chris Pittaway
Men's Basketball – Jesse MacDonald
Women's Basketball – Renata Adamczyk
Cheerleading – Amanda Cosburn
Men's Cross Country – Sohaib Ikram
Women's Cross Country – Catherine Sukkau
Men's Curling – Scott McGregor
Women's Curling – Danielle Inglis
Figure Skating – Michelle LaMarche
Men's Football – Dillon Heap
Men's Golf – Brett Murray
Men's Hockey – Paul Bradley
Women's Hockey – Liz Knox
Women's Field Lacrosse – Braedyn O'Rahilly
Men's Middle Distance – Shoaib Ikram
Women's Middle Distance – Jennifer Laughton
Men's Rugby – James Stewart
Women's Rugby – Tamara Simmons
Men's Soccer – Alex Doma
Women's Soccer – Heather Malizia
Men's Swimming – Nemanja Colic
Women's Swimming – Whitney Rich
Men's Volleyball – Greg Houston
Women's Volleyball – Victoria Cowley