OUA honors three Lions men’s soccer players

Bianchi	Curcio	Balkanloo

York University Lions freshman Michael Bianchi was named North/South Division Rookie of the Year in men’s soccer by Ontario University Athletics. Bianchi was also named a second team all-star while Paul Curcio, with his fifth career selection, and freshman goalkeeper Matthew Balkanloo were named first team all-stars. Bianchi’s award gave the Lions a sweep of the North/South Rookie of the Year awards after Lions women’s soccer player Ashley DePalma was named Rookie of the Year on Tuesday.

Former York gridiron star enters Blue Bombers’ Hall of Fame

Former York University football player and coach Darryl Sampson, who played for York from 1982 to 1985, was inducted into the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Hall of Fame in June. He was the Bombers’ second pick, 16th overall, in the 1986 Canadian Football League (CFL) college draft and served as York special teams coach in 1997.

Sampson played 161 regular season games in 10 years with club until his retirement in 1995. He also took part in 12 playoff and four Grey Cup games including the Blue Bombers’ cup victories in 1988 and 1990.

Throughout his career, Sampson proved to be a steady, reliable defensive back on a Winnipeg defence that consistently allowed the fewest points in the CFL. Sampson led the Blue Bombers with six interceptions in 1993 earning a spot on both the East Division and CFL All-Star teams that year.

Sampson retired at the end of the 1995 season. After his year as an assistant coach at York, Sampson returned to the Blue Bombers as an assistant for the 2001 and 2002 seasons, working with the running backs and special teams. He now lives in Mississauga with his family and runs a financial consulting business, Sampson Financial Services, in Toronto.

For the latest news on York’s interuniversity sports teams, visit the Sport & Recreation Web site.