Previous Bishop's Gaiters nominated for The Honourable Lois Mitchell and Doug Mitchell U SPORTS Athlete of the Year Awards Presented by Makadiff Sports (formerly known as the BLG Awards and Howard Mackie Awards)
2013-14: Jordan Heather, Football
2007-08: Jamal Lee, Football
2001-02: David Stipe, Football
1995-96: Trevor Lovig, Football
More Details at:
https://usports.ca/en/awards/news/2021/04/4231527286/u-sports-launches-mitchell-family-alumni-of-the-year-awards-presented-by-makadiff-sports
About the Awards
Since 1993, the Athlete of the Year Awards (formerly known as the BLG Awards and Howard Mackie Awards) have been an annual celebration in the national sport community, recognizing Canada’s top athletes competing in university athletics within U SPORTS.
Each of the 55 U SPORTS universities select a male and female athlete from which one male and one female nominee are chosen to represent Atlantic Canada, Canada West, Ontario and Québec. These eight nominees are then considered for the U SPORTS Male and Female Athletes on the Year based on their athletic accomplishment, outstanding sportsmanship and demonstrated leadership. Winners are selected by the Canadian Athletic Foundation, a non-profit board established to administer the Awards and protect the integrity of the selection process.
The top male and female Student-Athletes of the Year will not be honoured this season. In its place, the Mitchells will instead offer 16 current U SPORTS student-athletes a dynamic leadership training session.
Selection Criteria
The eight nominees are selected based on the following criteria:
- Must have participated in U SPORTS sport for two years (including the current year of nomination)
- Must be in a course of study leading to their first undergraduate degree or graduate program (minimum second year);
- Must be the university’s Athlete of the Year or runner-up; and
- Cannot be a previous Award winner
The Canadian Athletic Foundation
The Canadian Athletic Foundation is a non-profit organization established for the express purpose of administering the Awards and protecting the integrity of the selection process.The Board of Trustees has 21 members from five cities across Canada who are committed to this endeavour and to ensuring that Canadian university athletes receive the recognition they so richly deserve.
The Jim Thompson Trophy
In 2003, the Women’s Athlete of the Year trophy was named “The Jim Thompson Trophy” in recognition of the contribution of the late Jim Thompson, an original Trustee of the Canadian Athletic Foundation Board. Jim served on the Board of the Canadian Athletic Foundation since its inception in 1993. As President of TSN at the time, he was responsible for bringing the Awards to television. Jim was not only a strong supporter of the BLG Awards but a firm believer in the value of athletics at Canadian universities and of amateur sports. At the time of his passing in 2002, Jim was the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
The Doug Mitchell Trophy
In 2009, the Men's Athlete of the Year Trophy was name "The Doug Mitchell Trophy" to honour Doug Mitchell, the Chairman of the Canadian Athletic Foundation and an original Trustee of the Board.
U SPORTS Mitchell Family Alumni of the Year Award Recipient
2020-21: Nancy Knowlton
