Laurier Grads Soar is a multi-part series that returns for it's fifth instalment for the 2020-21 academic year. The segment features former Wilfrid Laurier University athletes and student-leaders in the Athletics and Recreation Department, and the success they have enjoyed since leaving Laurier. Written by award-winning journalist David Grossman, different features will be released throughout the year that will emphasize the role Athletics and Recreation played in helping them achieve success.Liz Knox: Carpenter/Construction, McMunn and Company; Advisor, Professional Women's Hockey Players AssociationThose who know Liz Knox from her hockey memoirs, know of her dazzling performances, year after year, as an outstanding goalkeeper.
There were exceptional performances in high school at Stouffville District Secondary, then some spectacular achievements between the pipes for Wilfrid Laurier University. Not to be forgotten, several other notable moments.
A superb effort in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, the National under-22 team goalie for Team Canada in 2008-09, and while she just missed out on cracking the Canadian roster for the 2010 Olympics, Knox did compete for her country winning a gold medal at the 2011 World University Games in Turkey.
Taking a glimpse at her resume speaks volumes about Knox as a student, an athlete, and just a genuine personable individual. But what is concealed behind the glamour of this sensational female athlete, playing Canada's National winter sport, are some of her other contributions.
Regardless of the strengths and weaknesses of her hockey opponents, Knox was always confident, consistently had an answer, and maximized her physical gifts.
Knox knew that hockey would not last.
Adjusting to life after hockey and education, Knox found a groove in something others would not have expected. Not one to backpedal, Knox stepped up, big time, to opportunities that, for many, would amount to physical, mental and emotional challenges.
It was shortly after returning from Melbourne in 2014, when she played one year and was on a team that won the Australian Women's Ice Hockey League, that she developed an interest in the trades industry.
There is a compliment in the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none", which fits Knox. It's more of a figure of speech used to refer to an individual who has done well in many skills, rather than gaining expertise by focusing on only one.
“Physical labour and hands-on work were things that I enjoyed, and so I worked for a roofing company for three years,” said Knox. “Clients liked seeing female construction workers and I also realized a job that involved sitting at a desk was not for me.”
Knox wasn't thinking of homemaker television shows when she signed up for a two-year Building Renovations Program at Toronto's George Brown College, a course she did quite well in, scoring academic honours and a diploma.
For her, it was work that involved commercial property improvements and restoration that included refurbishing hospital rooms, building walls and creating space for patients affected by the worldwide plague of 2020 – the COVID pandemic.
“At university, you try to figure out who you are and what's next,” said Knox. “There is a time for everything, and I understand what makes me happy. Devoting time and expertise in a special way, providing a service, it means a great deal. You actually feel like you're contributing to a good cause and it's an awesome feeling.”
Knox wasn't through with her efforts to help the community.
She also signed up for an eight-month skills training program with the Town of Whitchurch/Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services to become a volunteer fire fighter. It was a serious commitment that involved responding to a myriad of accidents and distress calls and learning about the rewards and challenges.
“You rely on training and you also understand that you're putting your life at risk to help others,” said Knox. “I've been to motor vehicle accidents and structure fires. You go where you're needed, there's no choice.”
Although her competitive hockey days may be a thing of the past, she's still involved, and was on the founding Board of the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association. These days, Knox is still an advisor to the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) and convinced that a women's pro league will still occur.
“I've spent most of my life in hockey and even remember, as a kid, wanted to play for the (Toronto) Maple Leafs,” said Knox. “There is no dream for young female hockey players. Within the next five years, we should see a professional hockey league for women. It's long overdue.”
While Knox was a multisport athlete at Stouffville District, selected top athlete in her graduating year and chosen to the Toronto Star's elite Golden Horseshoe Area school all-star squad, she was always in the spotlight. Knox also caught the attention of hockey fans while playing club hockey for the Markham/Stouffville Stars – a team that won a pair of bronze medals in the Provincial Women's Hockey League (PWHL).
There was interest in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but Knox, after watching a friend play for Laurier, took a tour of the campus and was convinced to stay in Ontario. She went one step further, Laurier was now her choice.
“I loved (Laurier) and the small-town atmosphere,” she said. “It felt like I was back home in Stouffville and the women's hockey program was looking very good.”
Knox would work hard earning an Honours Degree in Sociology, while her performance for the Golden Hawks was nothing short of electrifying and brilliant. Check it out: four Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships, four Canadian medals, chosen to all-star squads, the OUA all-rookie team and in the spotlight as Canada's premier female hockey player.
Knox has quite the legacy at Laurier, inducted to the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016 and, with an overall sparkling record of 90 wins, two ties and just seven losses, could very well be remembered as one of the top female athletes in the history of the university.
The honours also include team Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, winner of the Luke Fusco Award for Academic and Athletic Achievement, the President's Award as top female athlete and selected to the Outstanding Women of Laurier list.
“When I look back, sure there was lots of success, but it was challenging,” she recalled. “I went through a lot of ups and downs, learning how to accept roles that I wasn't really comfortable in and then just going through the ups and downs of being a goalie.
“What I do remember clearly is that the culture of Laurier was outstanding. All the varsity teams supported each other and I met some great people. Those were some of the best years of my life. I guess it was meant to work out that way.”
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David Grossman is a multi award-winning communicator and storyteller with a distinguished career in Broadcasting, Journalism and Public Relations in Sport and Government Relations. In 2018, he was the recipient of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Media Member of Distinction. 2016-17 FeaturesSteve Griggs - Chief Executive Officer and President, Tampa Bay LightningSophie Kotsopoulos - Senior Director of Integrated Marketing, National Hockey LeagueMike McKenna - Former Director, Telecom, Media and Technology Investment BankingNicole Lee - Director of Integrated Marketing, National Hockey LeagueMike Bartlett - Executive Director, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment FoundationRebecca Watts - Manager, 2017 World Junior Hockey ChampionshipHugh Lawson - Director of Business Development, Staples Promotional ProductsCheryl Pounder - Former Canadian National Women's Hockey Team MemberJohn Morris - 2010 Olympic Men's Curling Gold MedalistBill Burke - Chief Executive Officer and Owner, Niagara Ice Dogs2017-18 FeaturesTania Pedron - Manager of Administration and Operations, Maple Leafs Sport and EntertainmentWayne Kemick - BMO Wealth AdvisorDenise Burke - President, Niagara Ice DogsKevin McDonald - Vice President of Football Operations and Player Safety, CFLDr. Megan Yaraskavitch - NeurologistAndrew Agro - Director of Corporate Sponsorship and Business Development, New York JetsMarcia Powers-Dunlop - Senior Manager of Professional Support Services, Toronto District School BoardJoe Vernon - Lawyer, Miller CanfieldEmily Rudow - Founder, Oneiric HockeyTodd Cooney - Vice President and Broker, CBRE LimitedJennifer Elliott - Sports Information Officer, uOttawa Gee-GeesRohan Thompson - Social Worker and Professor, Conestoga CollegeDr. Fiona Aiston - Family DoctorJeremy Hedges - Founder and President, InksmithSadie Anderson - FirefighterAndrea Elliott - Sports Information Specialist, Ryerson RamsAlyssa Lagonia - Professional Soccer Player2018-19 FeaturesAshley Stephenson - Teacher and member of Canada's national women's baseball programJ.R. Edwards - General Manager/Country Director, Carlsberg USAGinger Whitney - Vice President, Whitney and Company Realty LimitedSandy Nixon - Loopstra Nixon law firmChristina Polano - LawyerDonnie Ruiz - CFL alum, artist, personal trainer, and award-winning body builderJahmeeks Beckford - Support Worker, Carizon Family and Community ServicesMelanie Witzell - Founder and Agency Director, Mad Hatter TechnologyEric Calder - Owner and President, Skills Plus HockeyRyan MacDonald - Strength and Conditioning Coach, Volleyball Canada National Beach Team2019-20 FeaturesChrissy McEwan - Account Executive, Detroit PistonsIan Noble - LawyerTamika Marks-Grant - Marketing & Branding, Canadian Olympic CommitteeDean Boles - Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Swim OntarioAndrew Quattrin - Professional Rugby Player, Toronto ArrowsScott Driscoll - NHL OfficialSteve Bienkowski - Chief Operating Officer, Kitchener Rangers2020-21 FeaturesPat Langdon - Executive Managing Director, Newmark CanadaCassandra Mensah - Education Fellow, National Women's Law CenterAllister Scorgie - Director of Sport Hosting, Region of WaterlooAlena Luciani - Owner, Training 2XLRoberto Aburto - Municipal Lawyer and Partner, Gowling WLGJeff Carefoote - Owner & CEO, Amsterdam Brewing
