Tag: Sports

Archival tag

Lions announce eight recruits for field hockey roster

York Lions field hockey player Frankie St. Louis
York Lions field hockey player Frankie St. Louis

York University Lions field hockey head coach Zeeshan Minhas announced on July 6 that eight new student-athletes from across the country will join the team for 2018 season.

The freshman class of 2018 includes defenders Sarah Powell, Claire Heisler, Harsimran Dogra, and Hannah Phelan, forwards Nicole Rodrigues and Chloe Walton, and midfielders Claire Church and Prava Sandhu.

2018/19 Lions field hockey recruits
The 2018 Lions field hockey recruits

Powell, from Midland, Ont., comes to York with experience playing at the national and international level. She began playing with the Dolphins Field Hockey Club based out of Aurora and Scarborough in 2010, moving up to compete at the Ontario Winter Games in 2011 and the Ontario Summer Games in 2014. Her first taste of national competition came in 2015 when she made the 16-under roster for Team Ontario White. She has played at the national championships every year since 2015 and has attended four national talent identification camps. She made her international debut in 2017 as part of Canada’s entry in the Indoor Pan Am Cup held in Georgetown, Guyana and helped her team to a fourth-place finish.

Heisler is from Port Moody, B.C., and has been playing competitive field hockey for five years. A well-rounded athlete who also starred on her high school basketball team, Heisler played above her age group as a 16-year-old and helped her 18-under club team India FH win first place in their league. She was named captain of her high school team at Heritage Woods Secondary School in both Grade 11 and 12 and helped lead the team to a provincial championships berth in 2017.

Dogra, who hails from Edmonton, is an experienced defender who started playing field hockey seven years ago. She currently plays on the Edmonton Juniors club team and played provincially with Team Alberta for four years from 2013-17. Dogra will bring some leadership skills to the Lions this season as she was named captain of Team Alberta for two years and in 2016 played in both the 16-under and 18-under national championships. She also red-shirted in 2016 with Canada’s 18-under indoor women’s team for a series against Team USA.

Phelan, from Kelowna, B.C., has been playing field hockey for six years. She attended Kelowna Secondary School and helped the team win the silver medal at the B.C. school sports senior AAA field hockey championships in both 2016 and 2017. Phelan was named as the team’s most valuable player for the 2016 tournament. She has also played at Field Hockey B.C.’s Inter Regional tournament for the last two years.

Mississauga, Ont., native Rodrigues comes to York after a successful high school career and with elite-level experience. Rodrigues first started playing field hockey as a freshman at Applewood Heights Secondary School and was named team captain and team MVP in her last two years. She joined her local club team the GoA Reds in grade ten and began attending high level showcase tournaments. She began playing at the provincial level with Team Ontario in 2016 and was invited to attend a national talent identification camp in 2017.

Walton, of North Vancouver, B.C., joins the Lions after years of experience playing in B.C.’s regional and provincial programs. In 2016, Walton helped the B.C. White team capture the bronze medal at the 18-under national championships. Her performance at the tournament included scoring a key goal to give the team a 1-0 lead in their quarter-final matchup. Walton has also attended three national talent identification camps during her career.

Midfielders Church and Sandhu are both British Columbia natives and cap off the five new players from the province joining the Lions roster for 2018. The most experienced member of the 2018 recruiting class is Victoria’s Church, who has been playing field hockey for 13 years. She is currently playing for two club teams, the Kirby Island Wildcats and the Lynx 1 of the Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association. Church has also played with Team B.C. at the provincial level for the last four years and has attended three national development camps.

Sandhu, of Vancouver, B.C., comes from a long line of field hockey players in her family. She started playing field hockey at the age of six and is a longtime member of the India Field Hockey Club. Sandhu was an honour roll student at John Oliver Secondary School and has played at the regional level for five years and with her clubs women’s premier league team for three years.

The Lions will begin defending their Ontario University Athletics (OUA) title on Sunday, Sept. 16 when they take on the Guelph Gryphons on home turf.

York Lions welcomes new head coach for men’s and women’s volleyball programs

After a national search, York University Athletics and Recreation has announced Jennifer Neilson as head coach for the Lions women’s volleyball program and Nathan Groenveld as head coach for the Lions men’s volleyball program.

Jennifer Neilson
Jennifer Neilson
Jennifer Neilson

After wrapping up an outstanding playing career in 2015, Neilson has most recently been a coach within the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA). She becomes the ninth head coach in the Lions women’s volleyball program history.

Neilson began coaching at an elite level while attending the University of Toronto, as she spent time as an assistant coach with Team BC’s 16-under women’s team in 2013 and became an assistant coach with the Team Ontario 18-under team in 2014. After graduating from U of T with a bachelor of kinesiology in 2015, she became an assistant coach for the women’s volleyball team at the University of Windsor while she completed her master’s in human kinetics. Most recently she’s been a head coach with the Halton Region Volleyball Club, Team Ontario’s 16-under women’s team, and worked with the OVA as high performance coordinator and apprentice coach.

“Jennifer has done a tremendous job in a number of different coaching roles and we are excited for her to become the leader of the women’s volleyball program,” said Jennifer Myers, director of Athletics and Recreation at York. “She is a highly motivated and driven coach who understands the demands of being a student-athlete and the commitment to academics in the classroom. I have no doubt she has the skills and vision to continue the great tradition of women’s volleyball at York and lead our team to the top of the standings. I am thrilled to welcome Jennifer to the Lions family and look forward to seeing the team under her leadership this season and for many more to come.”

Neilson is also well-rounded at the administrative level, having developed and managed programming for the OVA’s high performance plan and lead their high performance athlete identification process.

“I am humbled, grateful, and excited to be appointed as the head coach of the women’s volleyball program at York University,” said Neilson. “I am thrilled for the opportunity that lies ahead and look forward to continuing to build on the legacy of success embedded in the York University women’s volleyball program, and athletics at large. I can’t wait to start working within the York athletics mission to promote excellence and foster a lifelong great student-athlete experience.

Neilson replaces John May as head coach after two years with the team and will officially start her role on July 30. May will continue his with the Lions in a transitionary role and working with the Athletics and Recreation Department on other projects. Neilson’s first game behind the Lions bench will be on Saturday, Oct. 27 when the Lions kick off their season on the road against the Nipissing Lakers.

See original story posted here.

Nathan Groenveld
Nathan Groenveld
Nathan Groenveld

Groenveld, a former member of Canada’s senior national team, becomes the fourth head coach in the Lions men’s volleyball program history.

After finishing his playing career in 2010, Groenveld was named head coach of the men’s volleyball program at Niagara College prior to the 2010-11 season. In eight years with the Knights, he led the team to an overall record of 96-62, including 74-35 in his last six years with the program. His run as head coach was highlighted by an OCAA gold medal in 2014-15, followed by a bronze medal at the CCAA national championships the same year. The bronze medal at nationals was the first team medal at a national championship in school history.

Groenveld has also remained active at the national and provincial level, serving in a number of roles since 2014, including lead coach of the youth national team east selection camp and assistant coach of the national B team.

“Nathan is one of the top volleyball coaches in the country and brings a wealth of experience and an outstanding track record to York,” said Jennifer Myers, director of Athletics and Recreation at York. “Throughout his career he’s demonstrated the type of team-building and leadership skills we value at York. I am confident that Nathan will be a tremendous addition to our Athletics and Recreation Department and will be a strong leader for the next generation of Lions athletes. On behalf of everyone at York we are thrilled to welcome Nathan to the Lions family.”

In addition to coaching roles, Groenveld’s volleyball resume includes stints as a member of Volleyball Canada’s national high performance selection committee and as Technical Director for the Niagara region Volleyball Canada Centre of Excellence.

Groenveld took over coaching duties on July 4.

“I am honored to have been chosen to lead the Lions men’s volleyball program and I want to thank the administration here for this incredible opportunity,” said Groenveld. “I am excited to join the Lions family and look forward to helping build on the school’s rich history of men’s volleyball. This is a special university that values the complete student-athlete experience, which is something that aligns with my coaching philosophy very strongly. I cannot wait to get started and begin working with this incredible group of young men.”

Groenveld will make his debut behind the Lions bench when the team begins the 2018-19 season in October.

See original story posted here.

York Lion Frankie St. Louis to represent Canada in field hockey this summer

York Lions field hockey player Frankie St. Louis
York Lions field hockey player Frankie St. Louis

York University Lions field hockey player Frankie St. Louis will represent Canada this summer as Field Hockey Canada announced the roster for the Canadian Women’s Junior National Team (JWNT).

York Lions field hockey player Frankie St. Louis
York Lions field hockey player Frankie St. Louis

St. Louis, of Toronto, was named to a 24-player roster featuring athletes from across the country. The JWNT are fresh off a two-week training camp and began play on June 29 with a six-game series against the U21 Chilean National Team. The series will take place at the University of Victoria from June 29 to July 6.

“With UVic now the designated training centre for the Canadian field hockey program, it is exciting for the junior women’s national team to have their first international series in Victoria,” said Shiaz Virjee, head coach of the JWNT. “The JWNT had a hugely successful camp at UVIC and are excited to play and host the series against Chile. The new JWNT group is excited and wants to follow the successful trail blazing by the WNT this year.”

St. Louis is coming off a successful freshman season at York, where she helped the Lions capture their first Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship since 1996. The Kinesiology and Health Science major played in all 12 regular season games for the Lions and finished tied for third on the team with five goals.

Alexandria Town wins national team trials, qualifies for world championships

Alexandria Town, second from left, qualifies for world championships
Alexandria Town, second from left, qualifies for world championships

York University Lions women’s wrestler Alexandria Town won the 57kg weight class at the Canadian national team trials in her hometown of Scarborough, Ont., on June 9. With the win, she qualifies for the world championships in Budapest, Hungary, in October.

Alexandria Town, second from left, qualifies for world championships
Alexandria Town, second from left, qualifies for world championships

Town, who is rapidly making a name for herself on the international stage, made quick work of all three of her opponents at the trials. She defeated Emily Schaefer, a bronze medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, by a score of 10-0; followed that up with a 6-0 victory over 2016 Pan American champion Samantha Stewart; and wrapped up her day with a 13-2 win over her biggest rival, Hannah Taylor from the Brock Badgers.

Her qualification to the world championships comes just one month after she won her first international medal, a bronze at the Pan Am Championships in Peru.

Town spent four seasons with the Lions and is the most decorated women’s wrestler in York program history. She competed in three seasons after an injury wiped out her third year, and won three Ontario University Athletics (OUA) medals (two silvers, one bronze) and two U SPORTS medals (one silver, one bronze) while becoming York’s first women’s wrestling all-star and all-Canadian. She is also one of the most engaged student-athletes at York and was honoured for her efforts with a prestigious Lions Legacy Award at the conclusion of her career.

The kinesiology and health science student is set to graduate this summer and is now focusing on her burgeoning athletics career.

Lions Cup raises more than $92,000 for athletic scholarships

Lions Cup 2018
Lions Cup 2018

York University Athletics and Recreation hosted the 17th annual Lions Cup Golf Tournament on May 31 at St. Andrew’s Valley Golf Club and raised more than $92,000 for athletic scholarships.

Lions Cup 2018
Left to right: Jeff O’Hagan, vice-president Advancement; Alexandria Town, women’s wrestling student-athlete; Guy Burry, co-chair, Lions Cup Golf Tournament; Andrew Jones, men’s volleyball student-athlete; and Jennifer Myers, executive director, Athletics and Recreation

More than 80 golfers enjoyed a beautiful day under sunny skies in Aurora, Ont., and came together for an important cause: student financial aid. Many student-athletes who have been recipients of financial aid were on the course to run fun, sport-specific activations and interact with the golfers. Their presence was a reminder of the importance of the day while also giving them the chance to network with professionals in the careers they aspire to have one day.

“This year’s tournament was a huge success,” said Jennifer Myers, executive director of Athletics and Recreation. “Everyone in attendance had a great time and we were able to shine a light on how hard our Lions student-athletes work and why financial aid for them is so crucial. Most importantly, we raised a tremendous amount of money that will go a long way in providing support for our Lions.”

The Lions Cup was first held in 2001 as the Chair’s Cup. Marshall Cohen, then Chair of the York University Board of Governors, and his wife, Judi, envisioned creating a “friend-raiser” as well as a fundraiser, to rally friends, alumni and other supporters around raising money for students. In recent years, the event has shifted its focus to supporting varsity student-athletes, and now all money raised from the day will go directly towards athletic scholarships for the Lions.

TD Insurance has been involved since the beginning of the tournament and continues to lead the way as the champion sponsor. The other two major sponsors this year were 407ETR and Brand Heroes.

Thanks to the generous new sponsors and returning community sponsors at this year’s tournament. Their contributions play a vital role in helping to provide excellence in athletics and recreation, giving tomorrow’s athletes the perfect start they deserve in achieving their academic and athletic goals.

York U selects Raymond Rudder as head coach of Lions track and field

Raymond Rudder
Raymond Rudder
York University Athletics and Recreation has announced that Raymond Rudder has been selected as the full-time head coach of the Lions track and field and cross country programs after a national search.

Raymond Rudder
Raymond Rudder

Rudder is familiar with the Lions student-athletes, a after serving as the interim head coach of the program this past season and. Prior to last season, he served as the full-time assistant for one year and as a part-time assistant leading the multi-events athletes. In 2017-18, the Lions won 12 medals at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships and eight at the U SPORTS championships, with the men’s team moving up nine places nationally from the previous year and the women’s team climbing seven.

Rudder came to York with a wealth of experience working with professional sports teams and Olympic, world and collegiate athletes, as well as implementing youth development programs to successful elite junior athletes. As the chief coach and manager of Athletics Barbados, he oversaw a number of tremendous performances by the country’s track and field athletes, including Shakera Reece winning bronze in the women’s 100m at the 2011 Pan Am Games and Akeila Jones claiming gold in the women’s long jump at the 2014 world junior championships.

“From a nation-wide search, Ray emerged a clear leader,” said Jennifer Myers, the executive director of York Athletics & Recreation. “The combination of his experience, credentials and leadership make him the perfect candidate to lead the next transformation of our program. Ray has established a tremendous positive culture within his teams and last year’s results are testament to what he was able to build in just one season. York has a long history of success in track and field and we are confident in Ray’s ability to continue to keep the Lions at the top of the standings.”

Rudder has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and sport from the International School of Physical Education and Sport in Cuba, and a master’s degree in management science from the Indiana Institute of Technology earned in 2014.

“I am honoured to be chosen to serve the Lions student-athletes and I am grateful for the opportunity to have a positive impact on them and the York track and field program,” said Rudder.

Rudder will spend the rest of the summer continuing to recruit for the 2018-19 season and will welcome his team back this fall as the Lions look to build on a strong past year, where both track and field squads finished sixth at the U SPORTS championships.

For the full story, visit the York Lions website.

Lions host second annual Football Skills Camp

Children from York Region at the York Region Lions football skills day

Lions were loose in Aurora on Sunday, April 8 as the York University Varsity Football team and the York Region Lions Football Association hosted their second Annual Football Skills Camp.

Children participating in the skills camp pose for a group photograph with York Lions football players and York Lions football coach Waren Craney (back row, far left). Photo courtesy of Snapd Aurora and Jodi Tavares

The free community event, which introduces participants to football, takes place every year prior to the beginning of the region’s football season.

Click here to view a slideshow of this event. Event images courtesy of Snapd Aurora.

Parents get a chance to learn about the York Region Lions Football Association programming and learn more about the partnership the club has with York University, while York University varsity football staff and players volunteer their time developing an interested in football with youth who may not otherwise have an opportunity to try out the sport.

For York University varsity football coach Warren Craney, it is the pure joy on children’s faces that make this event a highlight.

Warren Craney

“Great to see 120 boys girls learning the skills needed to play the greatest team sport there is. The smiles on their faces were priceless,” he said.

York Region Lions Registrar/Secretary Jodi Tavares was happy to see the community come together for this annual event, and noted all of the “little Lions.”

“This event highlights the great things that happen to benefit our communities when University varsity teams partner with local, community organizations,” she said.

Vince Hamilton, newly elected president of the York Region Lions Football Association, said the program is a great way to connect with the community.

“It’s important for our club to give back to our community, and events like these help us do just that,” he said.

Some of the York University Lions varsity football team players who volunteered to help coach the children participating in the skills camp. Photo courtesy Snapd Aurora and Jodi Tavares

Approximately 120 youth aged five to 12 worked with 15 York Region Lions coaches and York University Varsity football coaching staff and players for two hours, learning about proper warm up/stretching, throwing drills, footwork, conditioning, and of course, flag football tag.

It was a toss up for the kids on who they liked chasing in flag tag more – the Buffalo Mascot from Buffalo Wild Wing didn’t move as fast as the York University varsity football players that donned flag belts – but all in all it made for some hilarious football fun.

Each participant received a complimentary York University/York Region Lions red t-shirt, and there were free raffle prizes provided by generous event sponsors including York University, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sports Clips, Aurora Kids Dentistry and Recycled Joy Collective.

Kayden Johnson, Holly Pitters earn York Athlete of the Year award

York Lions athletes of the year 2018
York Lions athletes of the year 2018

York University Lions dual-sport athlete Kayden Johnson and track and field standout Holly Pitters were named the male and female athletes of the year, respectively, at the 50th annual Varsity Athletics Banquet earlier this month.

Johnson, a member of the Lions football and track and field teams, is the first dual-sport athlete since 2006 to receive the honour, while Pitters is the female recipient for the second year in a row and the sixth straight women’s track and field athlete to win the award.

York Lions athletes of the year 2018
York Lions athletes of the year and major award winners, 2018

Also receiving major awards at the event were Tim Jensen from the men’s volleyball team and Rebecca Titus from the field hockey team, who took home the Outstanding Male Graduate Award and the Bryce M. Taylor Award, respectively, for outstanding contributions to varsity athletics over their five-year careers. Joey Cicchillo from the men’s soccer team was named the recipient of the Charles Saundercook Memorial Trophy for exemplifying the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, enthusiasm for life and the consideration of others.

Andrew Tauhid from men’s volleyball and Jaslan Stirling from field hockey were named the top rookies of the year, and field hockey head coach Zeeshan Minhas received the coach of the year award.

Male Athlete of the Year: Kayden Johnson, track and field/football
Johnson displayed his tremendous speed on the football field and the track this season. He asserted himself as the best hurdler in the country, winning  Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U SPORTS gold medals in the 60m hurdles and three times recording a time under eight seconds, the only hurdler to accomplish the feat even once this year. He earned first-team OUA all-star and U SPORTS all-Canadian honours and contributed 10 of the team’s 43 points at the U SPORTS championships to lead the squad to a sixth-place finish. In the fall, Johnson was a running back on the football team and finished 16th in the conference in total rushes and 19th in rushing yards while playing in all eight games.

Female Athlete of the Year: Holly Pitters, track and field
Pitters capped off her career with her best season as a member of the Lions. She won two medals at the U SPORTS championships, a gold in the triple jump and a silver in the long jump, to earn first- and second-team all-Canadian honours and contribute 18 of the team’s 42 points at the national meet, where the Lions finished sixth. She was also a double medallist at the OUA championships, winning the same gold and silver in the triple jump and long jump, respectively, and was an OUA first- and second-team all-star. Pitters accomplished all of this while jumping off her non-dominant leg for the first time following a recurring ankle injury.

Outstanding Male Graduate Award: Tim Jensen, volleyball
Jensen is one of the most recognizable student-athletes at York. A five-year outside hitter for the men’s volleyball team and captain for the last two seasons, he has gone above and beyond the role of student-athlete on the team on numerous occasions, including serving in an assistant coach role, volunteering at many different community events and playing an integral role with senior administration through multiple coaching changes. He is a major supporter of the Lions 4 Lions program and cheering on his fellow student-athletes, and last year he led the men’s volleyball team to a Roar Cup win. He is also an academic mentor for multiple varsity teams on his own time and separate from the PAWS program, and he has participated in the Shoreham clinics and other York Sport Council initiatives.

Bryce M. Taylor Award: Rebecca Titus, field hockey
Titus has integrated herself into every aspect of varsity life throughout her five-year career. A defender on the field hockey team and its captain, she earned OUA all-star honours three times and led the Lions to their first conference title in 21 years this past fall. She has excelled in the classroom while studying kinesiology and health science, earning U SPORTS academic all-Canadian honours and renewing her entrance scholarship in all five years, and is also part of the athletic therapy program, where she was the head student therapist for the track and field team this year and has previously worked with wrestling and women’s hockey. Titus has been a five-year participant in York Sport Council initiatives, including serving as president for the past two years, is a mentor in the PAWS program and has been a student representative on the Hall of Fame selection committee twice. She is also a volunteer at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and has participated in multiple international volunteer outreach trips.

Charles Saundercook Memorial Trophy: Joey Cicchillo, men’s soccer
Cicchillo has been a key piece of the men’s soccer team through its most successful run in program history while also battling two serious knee injuries. He was supposed to play his final season of eligibility in 2016 but in the spring of that year, suffered his second ACL tear in four years. He worked hard to get back to peak form and returned in 2017 to play in every game and score a number of key goals, including the winner in the OUA quarter-finals in the 86th minute and another at the U SPORTS championships. His first ACL tear came near the end of a successful rookie campaign in 2012, and he came back the following season to finish seventh in OUA scoring and earn OUA all-star honours for the first time. Throughout his career he was a three-time OUA first-team all-star and helped the Lions win four OUA championships and two national titles. In 2014 he scored the gold-medal-winning goal in the national final to be named the player of the game and was also a championship tournament all-star.

Coach of the Year: Zeeshan Minhas, field hockey
In his fifth year at the helm of the program, Minhas guided the Lions to their best season in decades, capped off by winning their first OUA title since 1996 and capturing the U SPORTS silver medal, the team’s first national medal since 1994. He brought 12 rookies into the fold in the off-season and integrated them immediately, with three finishing among the team’s top five scorers as the Lions led the OUA in goals scored with nearly double the total they had last year. They also topped the conference in goals allowed en route to a first-place finish in the regular-season standings with a sparkling 11-1 record.

Male Rookie of the Year: Andrew Tauhid, Volleyball
Tauhid became just the 10th member of the Lions men’s volleyball team to earn OUA East all-rookie team honours following a tremendous debut season. He played in 17 matches and 65 sets as an outside hitter, ranking in the OUA’s top 35 in scoring, kills per set, service aces and total blocks. He was third overall in team scoring and the team’s rookie leader in nearly every statistical category to help the Lions finish second in the OUA East Division standings in the regular season.

Female Rookie of the Year: Jaslan Stirling, field hockey
Stirling made an immediate splash in the OUA and is already considered one of the best players in the country. She began her career with a bang, scoring a hat trick in her first game, and never looked back en route to leading the country in scoring with 19 goals in just 12 games. She was named the OUA and U SPORTS rookie of the year following the season, as well as the co-most valuable player in the OUA and a first-team OUA all-star and U SPORTS all-Canadian. She was also clutch in the playoffs, tallying the banner-winning goal in the OUA final and the winner in the quarter-finals to lead the Lions to the OUA title and a silver at the U SPORTS championships.

Lions Legacy Awards
Tim Jensen, Tamara Orlando, Shayne Rover, Rebecca Titus, Alexandria Town

MVPs
men’s basketball – Gianmarco Luciani
women’s basketball – Lindsay Shotbolt
men’s cross country – Ali Ghadghoni
women’s cross country – Katrianna Pisani
field hockey – Jaslan Stirling
football – Adam Adeboboye
men’s hockey – Colton Vannucci
women’s hockey – Erin Locke
rugby – Cheyenne Legerton
men’s soccer – Cristian Cavallini & Daniel Gogarty
women’s soccer – Tomika McIntosh
men’s tennis – Tre Eli
women’s tennis – Eugenie Lim Ah Tock
men’s track and field – Nicholas Fyffe & Kayden Johnson
women’s track and field – Holly Pitters
men’s volleyball – Logan Mend
women’s volleyball – Sarah Williams
men’s wrestling – Shevonne Witter
women’s wrestling – Alexandria Town

Most Improved Team
field hockey

Sport Council Award
Tracey Edwards, women’s track and field

Roar Cup
women’s hockey

Senior Student Athletic Therapist of the Year
Sunny Marshall

Spirit Cup Award
JC Hall and Matt Ravida

Athletics & Recreation establishes a memorial fund to honour Mark Cross

Members of York University’s Athletics & Recreation community are devastated by the news that Lions’ men’s hockey alumnus Mark Cross was one of the casualties in the fatal bus crash on Friday evening involving the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).

Lions' men's hockey alumnus Mark Cross was one of the casualties in the fatal bus crash on Friday evening involving the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
Lions’ men’s hockey alumnus Mark Cross was one of the casualties in the fatal bus crash on Friday evening involving the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

Like all members of the hockey community, the York Lions students and staff are extremely saddened by the news of the crash. As with many U SPORTS teams, the Lions were actively recruiting a number of the players from the Broncos team. The University’s recruitment of the Humboldt players came in large part due to the presence and recommendation of Cross, an assistant coach with the Broncos.

“Mark was exceptional young man, an assistant captain during his time at York and the team MVP in his fifth and final season in 2015-16,” said Lions men’s hockey head coach Russ Herrington, who was an assistant coach for the squad when Cross was in his final season. “He was a ferocious competitor who had a vibrant approach to life. There was no one in the room that commanded more respect than Mark. To say we were proud that he was giving back by becoming a coach would be an understatement. Mark was in his element in the hockey arena and I could think of no better mentor for junior hockey players to have than Mark Cross. He has been taken away from us much, much too soon.”

Cross spent five seasons with the Lions from 2011-16 and graduated with his degree in kinesiology and health science in 2016. His long-time girlfriend also graduated from York University and spent five years working as a student staff member in Athletics & Recreation.

“This crash is an unbelievable tragedy for everyone involved. Far too many young lives were taken from families, friends and communities far too soon,” said Jennifer Myers, executive director of York Athletics & Recreation. “We are extremely sad to learn that Mark was one of those who lost his life; he was a tremendous member of our family and an incredible leader in our program. The thoughts and prayers of the entire York Lions community go out to Mark’s girlfriend, his parents, family and friends, and to all those affected by this tragic event.”

For those that want to support and keep Cross’ memory thriving at York University, a fund has been established by the Athletics & Recreation department to support the men’s hockey program in his memory. More information is available here.

Longtime York football coach inducted to Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Longtime York University head football coach Frank Cosentino was one of seven men announced as part of the 2018 induction class for the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Cosentino served as head coach of the York football team, then known as the Yeomen, from 1978-80 and again from 1984-87, as part of a long career in the sport as a player, coach, teacher and author. He was inducted into the York Sport Hall of Fame this past fall.

cosentino
Frank Cosentino pictured in a file photo

Cosentino will be inducted into the builder category. Joining him as part of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 are former Canadian Football League (CFL) players Scott Flory, the late Tommy Hugo, Hank Ilesic, Brent Johnson and Barron Miles, as well as amateur player Paul Brûlé.

After winning high school championships with Hamilton’s Cathedral High School in the mid-1950s, Cosentino led the University of Western Ontario to two Yates Cup championships in 1957 and 1959, winning a national championship in the final game of 1959 before graduating with a business administration degree in 1960.

After being taken with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ first draft selection in 1960, Cosentino went on to enjoy a 10-year career in the CFL, helping Hamilton to five straight Grey Cup games from 1961-65, winning championships in 1963 and 1965. He later suited up for both the Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts, posting a winning record each season.

While active as a CFL player, Cosentino continued his education and acquired a bachelor of physical education degree from McMaster University in 1967, a master’s degree from the University of Alberta in 1969 and a doctorate degree from U of Alberta in 1973.

As head coach at the University of Western Ontario from 1970-74, he led the Mustangs to the Vanier Cup championships in 1971 and 1974, winning nine of 10 playoff games during his tenure at Western. Moving on to York University in 1978, Cosentino inherited a team that had not won a game in two years and he led them to three consecutive seasons of .500 or better, winning the inaugural OUAA Coach of the Year award in 1978.

Cosentino led York to its first two post-season appearances in 1984 and 1985. He was also the former chair and director of the Department of Physical Education and Athletics at York, and served as a professor from 1976-97.

Cosentino authored 17 books on the history of sports in Canada, including three on the history of the Grey Cup and some of the teams that have competed. Among many honours received, he has been recognized with contribution awards from the Ontario Amateur Football Association, the Canadian Amateur Football Association and the CIAU. He is also a member of the Western University Sports Hall of Fame (1982) and a member of the OUA Hall of Fame.

The unveiling of this year’s class took place in the Pinnacle Club at Investors Group Field. Formal induction ceremonies will be held at a reception at Tim Hortons Field on the evening of Sept. 14. The inductees will also be honoured on Sept. 15 at the Hall of Fame game in Hamilton, Ont., which features the Tiger-Cats and the Calgary Stampeders.