Lions hockey head coach Russ Herrington to lead Team Canada’s para hockey program
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York University Lions Men’s Hockey Head Coach Russ Herrington was named the next head coach of Canada’s National Para Hockey Team.
Russ Harrington
The announcement marks a promotion for Herrington, who acted as an assistant coach for Team Canada’s sledge program since 2017. Among the highlights of Herrington’s tenure as assistant came earlier this year when he helped guide the squad to a silver medal at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. He also steered the team to three consecutive medals at the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) World Para Ice Hockey Championships (gold: 2017; silver: 2019, 2021).
“I have been lucky enough the past several seasons to have the privilege of representing two places very near and dear to my heart, York University and Canada,” said Herrington. “It is not lost on me that I have been afforded these opportunities because of the great people I have worked with – first and foremost, here at York. I am very appreciative of the support provided by both the York community, and most importantly, my wife Janice and my family as I live out a lifelong dream of representing my country on the international stage. I look forward to the challenge this role poses. I believe this experience will also make me a better coach for the Lions.”
The Toronto native will remain the Lions bench boss, a role he has occupied since 2017 after two years as an assistant on the staff of Chris Dennis. That two-year stint included a Queen’s Cup in 2016-17, where Herrington’s guidance helped York triumph over the Queen’s Gaels in the conference championship game, propelling the program to the U SPORTS national championship.
In Herrington’s first year serving as bench boss in 2017-18, the team made it to the OUA Bronze Medal game where they fell in a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Concordia.
Then, most recently, the Lions pulled off an upset for the ages. In Herrington’s first game back behind the bench after being away from the team while in Beijing, his team was matched up in a single-game elimination in Round 1 of the 2022 OUA playoffs against a top-ranked Windsor Lancers team. The visiting Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Windsor rallied to tie. Early in the final period Benjamin Evanish potted the winning goal as the Lions defeated Windsor 4-2 and moved onto the OUA semi-final.
The 2022-23 iteration of the Lions begins its regular season on Friday, Oct. 14, at Canlan Sports York against the newly named TMU Bold.
Lions’ Andrea Prieur on Team Canada staff at Commonwealth Games
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York Lions sport medicine manager, Andrea Prieur, is serving as a member of the Team Canada staff at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games take place until Monday, Aug. 8, where 37 Canadian athletes are competing with 72 Commonwealth countries in one of the top sporting events of the year.
Prieur has been nominated to serve on the staff of a Canadian international team for the third time in the last year, and this isn’t her first stint representing Canada internationally. Just weeks after representing the Lions on the international stage at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Prieur was appointed as athletic therapist for team Canada at the 2021 FISU Winter Universiade in Lucerne, Switzerland. The games were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s omicron surge.
Andrea Prieur is serving as a member of staff at the 2022 Commonwealth Games for Team Canada
Prieur is expected to join Canada at the rescheduled FISU games this year as well. She is a veteran of FISU games, serving for Team Canada in 2019, 2011, 2009 and 2007 prior to her selection to the 2021 staff.
Prieur, a certified athletic therapist, joined York in 2018 and currently serves as Sports Medicine & Sports Injury Clinic manager at York University. She graduated from the athletic therapy program over 20 years ago and continued to stay directly involved.
She has previous intercollegiate experience and currently co-owns two physiotherapy clinics. Her field and clinic skills have allowed her to be chosen to be part of the Canadian Core Health Care teams at multiple major Games including the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. Prieur is currently a first responder instructor and maintains her field skills by dedicating time to travel with the Canadian National Diving Team.
North Star Community Emancipation Day celebration on July 31
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On Sunday, July 31 from 2 to 5 p.m., York University’s Athletics & Recreation department will host the inaugural North Star Emancipation Day event together with local Jane and Finch Black community leaders.
The in-person celebration will take place at the Tait McKenzie Centre and will feature performances from members of the York University Gospel Choir, honorary guests, keynote speakers, local vendors and a special community exhibition basketball game.
North Star Emancipation Day event poster
Speakers include former president of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) Rosemary Sadlier. In her role, she contributed to the recognition of Black history through education, research and outreach programs. Her work was central to the Canadian government’s 1995 decision to make the celebration of Black History Month a national annual event. Sadlier also initiated the formal celebration of Emancipation Day.
The event will also welcome longtime community activist Winston LaRose, also known as Mr. Jane and Finch. MP for Richmond Hill Majid Jowhari will also be in attendance. During the 43rd Parliament, he tabled the Private Member’s Motion, Motion-36, to designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day in Canada to honour the important contributions of the Canadians of African and Caribbean descent. The guests will also be joined by formerMP for Scarborough-Agincourt Jim Karygianni, who worked with Sadlier as part of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada and served as a Toronto City Council from 2014-20, where he served as multiculturalism critic.
In March 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate Aug. 1 Emancipation Day. It marks the day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire. Emancipation Day celebrates the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada.
This celebration is an opportunity to consider Canada’s role in slavery and the impact of freedom in the past and present, to reflect and understand the barriers that must continue to be challenged today.
Athletics & Recreation is an event co-sponsor. The event will take place indoors and outside. Complimentary ice cream will be served (limited quantities available, first-come first-served). A children’s obstacle course will be available from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. located by the main entrance of Tait McKenzie Centre (1 Thompson Rd). Presentations and performances will begin at 3 p.m., with prize draws taking place throughout the exhibition basketball game beginning at 4 p.m.
Lions Cup golf tournament raises $144K for athletic scholarships
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Lions mascot Yeo with dignitaries and student-athletes at the 19th annual Lions Cup golf tournament. From left: Bart Zemanek (associate director, advancement – Athletics & Recreation), Julia Cuccia (women’s hockey player), Matthew Richards (track and field athlete), Guy Burry (co-chair, Lions Cup), Corrado Messina (senior relationship manager, Ontario Market Lead, TD Insurance), Lexy Anonech (women’s hockey player), Alexis Grewal (women’s basketball player), Abdullahi Abdullahi (track and field athlete)
It was a successful day on the golf course on June 1 as York University Athletics & Recreation raised $144,000 for athletic scholarships at the 19th annual Lions Cup presented by TD Insurance.
More than 100 golfers took to the links at the Wyndance Golf Club in Uxbridge, Ont., and golfers came together for an important cause: student-athlete financial support. Many of York’s student-athletes who have received financial aid to support their studies were on the course to run fun, sport-specific activations and interact with the golfers. Their participation gave them an opportunity to network with professionals in the careers they aspire to have after graduation.
“This event continues to be an annual highlight for me, and I am thrilled that we were able to once again raise a substantial amount of money for athletic scholarships, especially now after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic,” said Guy Burry, the Chair of the Lions Cup, a long-time supporter of Lions varsity athletics and one of the tournament’s principal donors. “York’s student-athletes are incredibly hard-working individuals who dedicate significant amounts of time and effort to both their academic pursuits and their athletic goals. Being able to assist them with their finances so they can focus on their dreams is a tremendous honour.”
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 goes directly towards athletic scholarships for the Lions.
The scholarships are possible thanks to the generous donations of several new and returning sponsors at this year’s tournament. Their contributions play a vital role in helping to provide excellence in athletics and recreation, and give tomorrow’s athletes the opportunity to achieve their academic and athletic goals.
York recognizes student-athletes during Varsity Athletics Awards
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York University student-athletes were in the spotlight during the last week of April when the 54th Varsity Athletics Awards were celebrated on social media.
Lions men’s soccer player Dieu Merci Yuma and track and field standout Leah Jones were named the male and female athletes of the year, respectively, as part of the annual awards celebration. Yuma is the sixth men’s soccer player to receive the honour and the first since 2017, while track and field athletes have won seven of the last eight women’s trophies.
York University Lions men’s soccer player Dieu Merci Yuma and track and field standout Leah Jones were named the male and female athletes of the year
Male Athlete of the Year: Dieu Merci Yuma, soccer Yuma was the most dynamic offensive player in the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) this year, leading the conference in scoring, shots on goal and total shots to be named the conference player of the year, as well as a U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian and an OUA East first-team all-star. He led the Lions to first place in their division for the 14th straight year and another appearance in the OUA championship game, ultimately finishing with the silver medal.
Female Athlete of the Year: Leah Jones, track & field Jones capped her career by reaching the top of the podium at both the conference and national championships, winning gold medals in the long jump at both meets. Her winning jump at the U SPORTS event broke a five-year school record in the event, and she also earned U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian and OUA first-team all-star honours for her performances. She also ran a relay at the conference meet, contributing 14 points to the team’s total for a fifth-place finish, and scored 10 of their 18 points at the national meet.
Also receiving major awards throughout the event were Dan Everton from the men’s volleyball team and Ellen Donaldson from the women’s 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.
Outstanding Male Graduate Award: Dan Everton, volleyball Everton is an extremely engaged student-athlete who has been part of many varsity initiatives throughout his career. He was the recipient of the OUA East Dale Iwanoczko Award of Merit this season due to his tremendous contributions to the varsity community at York. Over the years, he has served as a PAWS mentor, an executive member of the York Sport Council and a member of the Black and Indigenous Varsity Student-Athlete Alliance (BIVSAA). On the court, he spent three years as a setter before switching to outside hitter this year. He brings a passion and energy to practice every day that is contagious and provided strong leadership to one of the youngest teams in the OUA. His success also extends to the classroom, where he is a three-time academic all-Canadian while studying biochemistry and is currently publishing, as the first author, his undergraduate thesis.
Bryce M. Taylor Award: Ellen Donaldson, hockey Donaldson is a highly involved student-athlete who has made her mark on a number of different initiatives within the Lions varsity community. She has become a leader within the PAWS program, serving as a mentor while also taking on a number of additional responsibilities to ensure the successful running of the program. She is also a member of the York Sport Council, driving her team’s participation in a number of community events, and she is the team representative on the newly formed EDI Council. On the ice, she is a solid defensive forward specializing in penalty killing and checking roles. She is also a key contributor to the team’s involvement with HEROS hockey and is an instructor at Northern Freeze. She will graduate with her degree in kinesiology and health science and has earned academic all-Canadian honours for her success in the classroom.
Kelsey McHolm from the women’s hockey 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.
Charles Saundercook Memorial Trophy: Kelsey McHolm, women’s hockey McHolm is one of the most recognizable student-athletes at York thanks to her passion for the Lions and her involvement in so much of varsity life. However, it has not been an easy road for her. In 2018-19, she suffered a major knee injury and chose extensive rehab instead of surgery so she could be ready for the next season. That year, she put up career numbers to help the Lions reach the OUA final and the national championship, only to have the tournament cancelled before they could play a game due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite constant rehab, another health setback – this time in the form of an infection that caused partial hearing loss – and earning her first degree from York, McHolm decided to take on a second degree so she could come back for one more season as team captain this year. She is a strong leader, an academic all-Canadian, comes to the rink every day with a smile on her face and has been at the forefront of all of the team’s community initiatives. This year, she was also one of six players from across the country selected to participate in Hockey Canada’s Athlete to Coach transition program.
Three York University Lions student-athletes were been selected as the recipients of the 2022 Lions Legacy Awards. These awards are presented to the graduating student-athletes who have, throughout their undergraduate years, made outstanding contributions to a varsity sport at York University. Leadership, dedication, enthusiasm and participation in all aspects of varsity sport are considered qualifications for this award.
This year’s recipients of a Lions Legacy Award are women’s hockey player Ellen Donaldson, men’s volleyball player Dan Everton and rugby player Lauren Walter
This year’s recipients of a Lions Legacy Award are women’s hockey player Ellen Donaldson, men’s volleyball player Dan Everton and rugby player Lauren Walter.
Spent 3 seasons with the rugby team while completing a master’s degree in Communications and Culture
Member of the York Sport Council executive and led many successful community events (e.g. Halloween for Hunger, Adopt-a-Family)
Part of the team’s leadership group
Dependable, reliable and is always the first one to cheer on teammates and lift others up
Jasraj Nijjar from the men’s volleyball team, and Kiara Leveridge, a women’s basketball player, were named the top rookies of the year, and soccer master coach Carmine Isacco received the coach of the year award.
Male Rookie of the Year: Jasraj Nijjar, volleyball Nijjar is the third volleyball player to earn this award and the first since current teammate Andrew Tauhid in 2018. He earned a place on the OUA East all-rookie team after a tremendous debut year on the court. He was the team’s floor general as the starting setter and finished ninth in the OUA in assists per set while being instrumental to the team’s growth over the course of the year.
Female Rookie of the Year: Kiara Leveridge, basketball Leveridge is the third basketball player to be named female rookie of the year and the first since Tara Minicuci in 2006. She was named the OUA East rookie of the year and to the all-rookie team after finishing among the OUA’s top 25 in scoring and rebounding. She was third on the team in both categories and helped the Lions record their best regular season record since 2007-08.
Coach of the Year: Carmine Isacco, soccer Isacco is York’s coach of the year for the fourth time and is the first four-time winner since the award was introduced in 2011. He once again led the men’s soccer team to a successful season as the Lions were nationally ranked each week, finished atop their division for the 14th straight year, advanced to the OUA final for the eighth straight time and won an OUA medal for the 13th time in his 14 on-field seasons. As master coach of both soccer programs, he also oversaw the women’s team’s third-place finish in the highly-competitive OUA East Division. The Lions earned a spot in the national rankings during the season and reached the OUA quarter-finals.
Four York University student-athletes have been recognized by Ontario University Athletics (OUA) with awards and honours.
Prince Kamunga has been named an OUA second team all-star
York University Lions men’s basketball guard Prince Kamunga has been named an OUA second team all-star after his team-leading offensive campaign put him amongst the best in the conference.
Kamunga, a fourth-year information technology major, had 21.1 points per game for a team lead, far over any of his Lions counterparts, and good enough for sixth in the OUA. He was also fourth in the OUA in steals (34), fourth in points (337) and second in blocks (33).
His season also featured plenty of individual performances that were notable, earning him athlete of the week honours for obtaining the second-highest single-game point total in program history – 45 points – in a 114-110 win over Queen’s during the period ending March 7.
The Lions may not be the only stop of Kamunga’s career. He was drafted in the second round (11th overall) by the Edmonton Stingers in the 2020 CEBL U SPORTS draft.
Kamunga is the first Lion to make the second team since Nick Tufegdzich earned the honours in 2013-14.
Lauren Golding has been named a second team all-star, and Kiara Leveridge taking home the rookie of the year award
Two members of the York University Lions women’s basketball team are taking home some end of year conference hardware, after being announced as award winners and all-stars. Lauren Golding has been named a second team all-star, and Kiara Leveridge taking home the rookie of the year award.
Leveridge is the first Lion to take a rookie of the year award since the 2004-05 season when Laura MacCallum won the award. York players have taken the award five times dating back to 1988.
This is Golding’s second season in a row getting a second team all-star nomination, dating back to her nod in 2019-20. Aside from Golding, 22 other Lions have been named second-team all-stars dating back to 1981.
Leveridge enjoyed a breakout season in her first as a Lion, registering as some of the most prolific offensive statistics amongst her peers. She led all York rookies in points per game (11.2) and rebounds per game (6.6), making her presence felt after joining the team out of Canletes High School.
Golding has been an asset to the Lions in her four years as a forward for the team, this season was a continuation of her important role offensively. She led the team in points per game with 12.1 and rebounds per game with 9.9 – coming just short of averaging a double double over the course of the 2021-22 campaign.
Lions men’s hockey defender Conner Senken has earned a place on the OUA’s 2021-22 all-rookie team
After a successful first year in the league, York University Lions men’s hockey defender Conner Senken has earned a place on the OUA’s 2021-22 all-rookie team.
Senken, a first-year rear guard from Kanata, Ont., earned three assists in 12 games played over the course of the 2021-22 campaign. He registered his first career OUA point Nov. 6 in a game at Lakehead – the second contest of the Lions’ season. Both of his other two assists came in the same game, Feb. 24 when York hosted the Brock Badgers.
The 22-year-old business and society major joined York from the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers, where he played his final two seasons of junior hockey. He registered 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) over the course of 106 games in Iowa’s state capital.
Senken is the first Lion since 2018-19 to find his way onto the OUA West all-rookie squad, since Bradley Forrest did it. Mack Shields, a standout five-year Lions netminder, was placed on the 2016-17 all-rookie team. In total, 11 Lions have been selected as all-rookies.
Women and Girls Leadership in Sport Conference set for April 29
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In recognition of International Women’s Day, York University Athletics & Recreation announced the third annual Women and Girls Leadership and Sport Conference (WGLSC) presented by Adidas will take place on Friday, April 29, in a virtual format.
Following a successful online conference last year, the 2022 version of the event promises to be outstanding, with a number of speakers presenting on the theme “Leadership Communication: Language, Crucial Conversations and Using Your Voice.” The virtual setting allows female sport leaders from across the country to be educated, empowered and supported.
WGLSC 2022 will take place via Zoom from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $40 for general admission and $10 for students. Coaches, athletes, sport administrators and allies are all welcome to attend.
“The Women and Girls Leadership and Sport Conference is near and dear to my heart, and I am thrilled we are able to host it again this year,” said Jennifer Neilson, chair of the WGLSC organizing committee and head coach of the Lions women’s volleyball team. “Effective communication is crucial in all areas of life and the speakers we have lined up will provide valuable insight on a variety of topics related to our theme. We are so pleased to once again be offering a space where women in sport can gather and learn from some impressive presenters.”
The lineup of speakers includes: Betsy Butterick, a coaches’ coach and communications specialist; and longtime Florida Gators successful soccer coach Becky Burleigh. Conference attendees will be able to choose from one of two breakout sessions: two-time Olympian Shawnee Harlee’s “Feedback as Fertilizer” or mental performance experts Robert Beer and Victoria Pacitti from Mindset First’s “Speak Up!”
York’s Athletics & Recreation celebrates Black History Month
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York University is considered a leading Canadian post-secondary institution that values diversity and inclusivity. With a long history of academic research creating positive change, student engagement and inclusive initiatives around the culture of Black-Canadians, the University is proud to celebrate its community and highlight the many events taking place during Black History Month. Below are the events and series organized and hosted by York’s Department of Athletics & Recreation.
Carl James holds the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora in the Faculty of Education, York University, Toronto, where he is also the senior advisor in equity and representation in the Office of the VP Equity, People and Culture. He holds cross-appointments in the graduate programs in Sociology, and Social & Political Thought. He has published widely on the ways in which race and its intersection with gender, class, citizenship and other identify constructs – mediated by accessible and equitable opportunities – account for the lived experiences and outcomes in education, sport and employment of racialized people, and Black youth particularly. His recent (2021) book is Colour Matters: Essays on the Experiences, Education, and Pursuits of Black Youth.
Cassandra Pascal and Khamica Bingham
Meet My Melanin with Khamica Bingham and Cassandra Pascale Underrepresentation in Sport Feb. 17 at noon
Meet My Melanin is a brand dedicated to speaking on racial inclusion through conversations to help the minority community be seen, heard and known in all spaces. It is co-founded by Khamica Bingham and Cassandra Pascal. Bingham is a two-time Olympian, six-time CIS Champion, and York alumna who understands the importance of resiliency and overcoming obstacles. Pascal is a human resources professional who is passionate about diversity and inclusion and also is a retired sprinter who competed in the NCAA, CIS and represented Canada as a junior. During the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, they drew on their shared experiences and created Meet My Melanin recognizing the need to uplift the Black community and support impactful conversations in the classroom.
Sheereen Harris
Sheereen Harris The Science Behind Being a Successful Student-Athlete Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
Sheereen Harris is a graduate of York’s kinesiology and health science program and is currently a fourth-year PhD candidate at McMaster University specializing in exercise and health psychology. Harris spent five seasons with the Lions on the track and field team (2011-16) and acted as team captain for four years. She competed in the 60m, 300m, 4x200m and 4x400m relays and won seven OUA medals and six CIS medals, including a CIS gold medal in the 300m and a team bronze medal in 2015. Harris was a four-time academic all-Canadian and the recipient of the Bryce M. Taylor Award, Lions Legacy Award, as well as the OUA and CIS female community-service award in 2016.
Every Wednesday in February
Student-athlete profiles Over the course of Black History Month, visitors of yorkulions.ca will profile prominent Lions student-athletes of colour through the return of our Student-Athlete Spotlight series. They will discuss the success they’ve achieved both on and off the field of play.
The virtual celebration, Rooted & Resilient, is in recognition of Black History Month in Canada. The program for this event includes the following guests:
Rosemary Sadlier
Winston LaRose
Dawn James
Simone Walsh
Mark-Anthony Kaye
York Gospel Choir
Cynthia Appiah
Afro Flow Yoga
Rosemary Sadlier was the president of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) from 1993 to 2015. As president, she contributed to the recognition of Black history through education, research and outreach programs. An author, she has researched and written prolifically about Black history and Black-Canadian history. Sadlier is also the recipient of the Order of Ontario, the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario.
Winston LaRose is also known as Mr. Jane and Finch. He is a social justice advocate, community activist, and the executive director Jane Finch Concerned Citizens Organization. He will be speaking about what inspires his advocacy work, his core mission within the Jane and Finch community, what advice he has for other people who want to help their communities, and what keeps him going.
Dawn James is a York University alumna who worked in finance and IT management for 25 years. After experiencing career burnout, she founded Publish and Promote in 2010, where she has helped hundreds of people become published authors. James has published eight books on conscious, healthy, and harmonic living, as well as how to find serenity in an often chaotic world, since she is passionate about health and wellness. Visit DawnJames.ca to learn more about her.
Simone Walsh is a multi-passionate author, entrepreneur and community activist driven by a deep desire to transform the lives of individuals and provide the tools for them to uproot the blocks that are keeping them from living their best lives.
Mark-Anthony Kaye is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays as a midfielder for Los Angeles FC in major league soccer. He is a York University alumni and was an athlete on the York Lions soccer team.
Cynthia Appiah is a pilot on the Canadian bobsleigh team. She is a York University alumna and was an athlete on the York Lions Track and Field team.
Afro Flow Yoga® infuses electrifying dance movements of the African Diaspora with a meditative yoga sequence of gentle yet powerful stretches.
This celebration takes place Feb. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. on YouTube Live @BHMrootedandresilient, or follow @yorkulions for updates on this important celebration.
The Department of Athletics & Recreation will launch a special collection for Black History Month, in collaboration with the York Lions Black & Indigenous Varsity Student-Athlete Alliance. Visit shopyorkulions.ca for more.
York alumna heads to Olympic Games with eyes on bobsleigh podium
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York University’s representative at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China has already made waves across the Canadian Olympic landscape – both on and off the field of play.
Cynthia Appiah, a 2013 graduate of York, has not only earned a spot on Canada’s national bobsled team, but was also named to the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Glory From Anywhere campaign with eight other Olympians.
The campaign highlights the accomplishments of Team Canada athletes to showcase the fact that all Canadians have the potential to inspire people, regardless of their background, upbringing, or socioeconomic status.
Appiah’s Ghanaian background gives her an important place in the campaign, showcasing Canada’s diverse nature.
Her high profile may inspire the next generation of Canadian bobsledders – which is what happened to her in 2010 while watching the Vancouver Games. The 31-year-old recalls seeing Canada’s Shelley-Ann Brown, who is Black, flying down the Whistler track with partner Helen Upperton en route to a silver medal.
Cynthia Appiah, a 2013 graduate of York, has not only earned a spot on Canada’s national bobsled team, but was also named to the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Glory From Anywhere campaign with eight other Olympians
Appiah may be the next Canadian to medal in the event. She’s emerged as a medal threat in the women’s monobob event, showcased in Beijing for the first time. In her first world championships as a pilot in 2021, Appiah was the top Canadian pilot in the monobob (placing fifth) and two-woman races (placing ninth).
After years of being a multisport athlete, the Etobicoke, Ont., native focused on solely bobsleigh as of January 2015, and found immediate success competing in the North American Cup circuit as a brakewoman. She won two gold medals with pilot Alysia Rissling in January 2015 and then won three straight gold medals with Christine de Bruin to kick off the 2015-16 North American Cup season.
In Winter 2017, Appiah began competing in the two-woman event on the World Cup circuit and won gold in her first race in Whistler in that December with Olympic gold medallist Kallie Humphries. She also spent time in Rissling’s sled, which included a sixth-place finish at the world championships and a bronze at the Olympic test event for PyeongChang 2018.
After serving as an alternate in PyeongChang, she’s hoping to make an impression in her Olympic debut in Beijing.
A former York female athlete of the year in 2013, Appiah had an impressive collegiate career as a track and field athlete before turning to bobsleigh. Her five medals at the U SPORTS championships came in weight throw and shot put. In 2012, Appiah represented Canada at the NACAC U23 Championships, making the hammer throw and shot put finals.
Women’s monobob schedule – Beijing 2022
Date
Time
Event
Broadcast
Saturday, Feb. 12
8:30 p.m. EST
Run 1
CBCOlympics.ca
Saturday, Feb. 12
10 p.m. EST
Run 2
CBCOlympics.ca
Sunday, Feb. 13
8:30 p.m. EST
Run 3
CBCOlympics.ca
Sunday, Feb. 13
10 p.m. EST
Run 4 (Medals)
CBC/SN/TSN
York hosts events to mark Bell Let’s Talk campaign
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Members of the York University community are invited to join Athletics & Recreation for a number of events during the Bell Let’s Talk campaign, which runs virtually at York’s campuses from Jan. 17 to 27. The University will host events that are free and open to students, staff and faculty. Bell Let’s Talk events help end the stigma surrounding mental illness by sharing thoughts, experiences and support through virtual events and on social media.
Schedule of events
Monday, Jan. 17 Mental Health 101 – Navigating Mental Health Resources on Campus – open to students 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Zoom link:https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEldu6ppjojG9AE3aBK8tH14dd0cdzPtf8H The quality of your health and well-being impacts everything from managing your stress, making time for your loved ones, and still working towards your academic success. Join the Peer Health Educator Team to learn how to:
de-stigmatize mental health and why that is important for you as a student;
learn about what mental health services and well-being supports are available both on and off-campus; and
learn wellness strategies that explore the interconnections to all forms of health, and optimize your time and energy management.
Tuesday, Jan. 18 LGBTQ2S+ Student Support Group – open to students 1 to 2 p.m. Register: To register for this virtual session, email Massimo Zangari from Student Counselling, Health & Well-being (SCHW) at mass23@yorku.ca SCHW’s LGBTQ2S+ counsellors provide a safe and positive space where stories can be shared, support given, and connections can be made. Group members are invited to bring in topics to discuss – this group is a space to share as much or as little as you want. So, drop in – no registration required.
Wednesday, Jan. 19 Mental Health & Well-being Seminar – open to students 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkcemrrzgoHNPy9UtzmIe44VO9_3agajWb Contact: Shailak@yorku.ca Transitioning to university is challenging enough during the best of times. As we navigate the hybrid learning environment, many of us are coping with “change fatigue” as we continue to adapt to the uncertainty of the pandemic. The quality of our well-being impacts everything from academic success, physical health, our ability to manage stressors and our relationships with loved ones. Join the Peer Health Educator Team as we:
discover mental health and well-being supports on and off campus;
learn wellness strategies to optimize your learning and manage stress; and
debunk university lifestyle myths about health and nutrition and find accessible ways to make a change.
Thursday, Jan. 20 Nutrition Habits for Success – open to all 3 to 3:45 p.m. Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/95975866935 Join Athletics & Recreation’s Nutrition Coach for this 45-minute session, as we focus on easy nutrition tips and habits to support better mental and physical well-being.
Friday, Jan. 21 keep.meSAFE Virtual Booth for International Students and Students Studying Out of Province – open to students 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84210804215 This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign highlights the ways that we can support ourselves and those we care about through actions like listening, being there and talking. Join the keep.meSAFE services at their virtual booth where you can get information on mental health resources and supports available to you as international students and students studying out of province. No registration required.
Friday, Jan. 21 MUV Yoga –open tostaff, faculty and instructors Noon to 12:30 p.m. Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/93770192798 Session offered by Athletics & Recreation Class description: Accessible for all levels. This class will guide you through rhythmic vinyasa flow with a strong focus on breathing techniques to energize your practice. This is followed by a meditative yin yoga practice allowing for longer held postures to promote recovery in both mind and body.
Friday, Jan. 21 MUV Yoga Retreat – open to students 5 to 6 p.m. Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/98141928860 Session offered by Athletics & Recreation Class description: Integral yoga for the mind and body. Yoga retreat promotes holistic health, de-stress, and well-being by strengthening, increasing endurance, and stabilizing the mind, body and breathing. Move towards wellness in your own unique way through postures, breathing exercises, and a wide range of meditations.
Monday, Jan. 24 Sleep for Better Grades – open to students 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrd-6rrjwqHt2U2fMsKNIjDKRNdTEsj6-L When it comes to the topic of sleep, it seems we can’t get enough. In our Sleep 101 series, we explored the tried and tested tips to get your sleep back on track and improve your sleep hygiene to support better grades and academic success. This workshop will explore the effects of these all-nighters on our minds, bodies and how we can both prioritize our sleep and find practices to optimize whatever amount of sleep we are getting.
York University alumna Larissa Crawford will host a BIPOC Speaker Session
Tuesday, Jan. 25 Bell Let’s Talk BIPOC Speaker Session with Larissa Crawford Noon to 1 p.m. (presentation and Q-and-A open to all) 1 to 1:30 p.m.(session debrief open to BIPOC students) Zoom link: TBA This conversation will explore concrete practices and skills that can support students in navigating the mental health impacts of racism and ableism. York University alumna Larissa Crawford will hold space for all students in her presentation and Q-and-A. Following a short break, space for Black, Indigenous, and racialized students will be held in a session debrief.
Tuesday, Jan. 25 Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Overview – open tostaff, faculty and instructors Noon to 12:40 p.m. To register for this virtual session, click here. The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a confidential and voluntary support service to help you with solving issues related to personal life and or workplace-related issues. Whether the problem is personal such as child/elder care, adjusting to job responsibilities or other issues connected to the workplace, EFAP can be a helpful service to address these challenges through a full range of support services. This session is designed to provide an overview of the programs available to staff, faculty and instructors.
Tuesday, Jan. 25 Glendon Student Mental Health Town Hall – open to students 2 to 3:30 p.m. Registration link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsfumgqjkpGdbHtqUoKI3rGq7_tGqo4Nym The Office of Student Affairs, in partnership with the Glendon College Student Union and the Accessibility, Well-Being and Counselling Centre, is inviting all community members to join this live town hall in a safe space to speak openly and honestly about what is on their mind. Experts from the Counselling Centre will also present resources and offer tools to support the mental health of our students. Students are welcome to send in their questions, as well as preferences regarding topics they’d like covered here. Note that the session will be delivered in English, questions and clarifications can be requested in French.
Wednesday, Jan. 26 – BELL LET’S TALK DAY! Building Meaningful Connections in an Online World – open to all Noon to 1 p.m. Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sdu2uqT0vGNcE_3NJAdN1wtZw5jTMB_4N The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) is committed to promoting a healthy, inclusive and supportive environment that fosters mental health and well-being among members of our community. In this session, we will discuss what our personal understanding is of a “meaningful connection,” explore the current research related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ways in which it has impacted how we relate to one another and the small (but important) steps we can take to cultivate and nurture a sense of belonging with our communities and/or supports. In partnership with Bell Let’s Talk Day, join FGS as we discuss building meaningful connections in an online world. This virtual event is open to all students, staff, faculty, instructors and alumni of York University.
Wednesday, Jan. 26 Mental Health 201 – Supporting Peers in Distress – open to students 12:30 to 2 p.m. Zoom link:https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vdO-trTwvHtMvl2pHQlzbSVyB-yg7sT2Q Mental Health 201 aims to provide students with the skills needed to recognize, respond, and refer other peers with mental health concerns. The learning objectives of this session include:
Helping participants gain a better understanding of the type of mental health concerns that York University students face.
We will review statistics unique to our York student population to allow participants to better understand, normalize and empathize with complex lived experiences.
Creating safer online spaces for fellow classmates, colleagues and/or friends to disclose mental health concerns.
Recognizing the unique ways to respond to potential distress or crisis in an online environment.
Being able to recognize, respond, and refer students experiencing mental health issues and/or distress to appropriate campus resources.
Providing opportunities to practice the skills needed to support students experiencing mental health issues and/or distress.
Increasing understanding of the importance of your own self-care, well-being and the necessity for healthy boundaries to be an effective peer helper.
Trans and Non-Binary Support Group – open to students 4 to 5p.m. Register: To register for this virtual session, email Massimo Zangari from SCHW at mass23@yorku.ca Join Student Counselling, Health & Well-being’s (SCHW’s) monthly online group to meet other York students navigating gender in a relaxed and safe space. Our group is facilitated by Jay Jonah, a trans-masculine social worker who specializes in supporting trans and non-binary folxs. This group is a space to share as much or as little as you want. Ask questions, just listen in, or chat and make some new friends! Open to all trans, non-binary, gender-non-conforming folxs, and those who are questioning their gender.
Schulich – Start Up Event – open to students 7 to 8:30 p.m. Zoom link:https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIufuqtpjguGNQaaiSqIhgdbAIPFOd6kbfd Join us as Luke Vigeant, president of Inkblot chats with Entrepreneur-In-Residence and Founder of #REALTALK, Cherry Rose Tan. Learn from these two powerhouse mental health advocates as they lead a crucial discussion on founder mental health in Canada. Inkblot is a mental health service based in Toronto that matches you with certified therapists and coaches based on your needs and preferences. This pairs perfectly with #REALTALK and their mission to empower every leader to learn, connect, and flourish in the tech industry through difficult discussions usually centred around mental health. Both companies have been featured by various news and media outlets such as Forbes, CBC, The Globe and Mail, Global News, the Huffington Post and more.
Thursday, Jan. 27 Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Overview – open tostaff, faculty and instructors Noon to 12:40 p.m. Register: for this virtual session, click here. The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a confidential and voluntary support service to help you with solving issues related to personal life and or work-related issues. Whether the problem is personal such as child/elder care, adjusting to job responsibilities or other issues connected to the workplace, EFAP can be a helpful service to address these challenges through a full range of support services. This session is designed to provide an overview of the programs available to staff, faculty and instructors.
