Montreal, November 29, 2017 – As part of the 32nd Quebec University Sports Gala presented by RDS in collaboration with TKNL, the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ) announced the awarding of 301,500 $ in individual scholarships to college student-athletes who stood out within the RSEQ (Quebec Student Sports Network) during the 2016–2017 season.
Of this amount, 85 student-athletes shared 250,500 $ in scholarships during the press conference held prior to the gala. An additional 51,000 $ was awarded in 2017 to about fifteen student-athletes through the FAEQ’s other scholarship programs.
At the evening gala, the winners of the following 11 categories were revealed, all in connection with the 2016-2017 university season (performances between May 1, 2016, and April 30, 2017):
1. Student-Athlete of the Year – Academic Excellence presented by the Molson Foundation
Student-Athlete of the Year – Academic Excellence
3. Student-Athlete of the Year – Individual Sport
Student-Athlete of the Year – Individual Sport
5. Student-Athlete of the Year – Team Sport presented by National Bank
6. Student-Athlete of the Year – Team Sport presented by the Government of Quebec
7. Women's Team of the Year
8. Men's Team of the Year
9. Coach of the Year – Women's Section / Prix du Journal de Montréal
10. Coach of the Year – Male Volet / Le Journal de Montréal Award
11. Student-Athlete of the Year – Leadership presented by Gildan
In the Recruitment category, 44 of the top student-athletes graduating from Quebec CEGEPs shared 163,000 $ in scholarships to encourage them to remain at Quebec universities. Of these scholarships, ten are worth 8,000 $ spread over two years, with 5,000 $ awarded during the first year at a Quebec university.
«The relationship of trust between universities and the FAEQ continues to grow, not only thanks to the expansion of the University Scholarship Program, but also through the relationships we are developing, in partnership with the Institut National du Sport du Québec and Alliance Sport-Études, to better balance the athletic and academic pursuits of Quebec's university athletes,» emphasized FAEQ President Claude Chagnon.
Nearly 625 guests attended the event, which brought together several current and former FAEQ bursary recipients, sponsors, donors, and partners, as well as numerous members of Quebec's sports community.
Here are the winners of the 11 categories of the 32nd Quebec University Sports Gala
(Under embargo until Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 9:00 PM)
2016-2017 STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR / ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
A student-athlete who achieved outstanding academic and athletic results in 2016–2017. Academic grades are weighted at 60 %, and athletic performance is weighted at 40 %.
Women's section: category presented by the Molson Foundation
Katerine Savard – Swimming – The Université de Montréal Carabins
A bronze medalist in the 4 x 200m freestyle at the Rio Olympic Games, she also won 7 medals at the U SPORTS Canadian Championship. Having completed 19 credits and an internship, she maintained a grade point average of 3.75 out of 4.3 in Preschool and Primary Education.
Men's section:
Louis-Mathieu Normandin – Football – Universite de Montreal Carabins
Named to the RSEQ and U SPORTS all-star teams in 2016, he completed 27 credits and maintained a grade point average of 3.99 out of 4.3 in Business Administration.
2016-2017 STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR / INDIVIDUAL SPORT
Student-athlete competing in an individual sport within the Quebec university sports network who achieved the best performances in 2016-2017.
Women's section:
Katerine Savard – Swimming – The Université de Montréal Carabins
Olympic bronze medalist in the 4 x 200m freestyle, she also won 7 medals at the U SPORTS Canadian Championship. She is pursuing her studies in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
Men's section:
Antoine Thibeault – Track and Field – Laval University Rouge et Or
Named RSEQ and U SPORTS Track Athlete of the Year, he won the gold medal in the 3,000 m and silver in the 1,500 m at the Canadian Championship. Also named to the RSEQ and U SPORTS cross-country all-star teams, he is pursuing his studies in Physical Education Teaching.
2016-2017 STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR / TEAM SPORT
Student-athlete playing a team sport within the Quebec university sports network who achieved the best athletic performances in 2016-2017.
Women's Division: Category presented by National Bank
Alex Kiss-Rusk – Basketball – McGill University Martlets
Named to the U SPORTS First All-Star Team, she was also named RSEQ Defensive Player of the Year. At the Canadian Championship, she won a gold medal and tournament MVP honors. She is continuing her studies in Psychology.
Men's division: category presented by the Government of Quebec
Mathieu Betts – Football – Laval University Rouge et Or
Named RSEQ and U SPORTS Outstanding Lineman of the Year as well as a U SPORTS First Team All-Star, all while pursuing his studies in Physical Education Teaching.
2016-2017 TEAM OF THE YEAR
Women's section: Basketball – McGill University Martlets
The Martlets won their 6th consecutive RSEQ Championship and the first Canadian Championship in 34 years for the RSEQ. One of their players was named Championship MVP and deserves a spot on the U SPORTS All-Canadian team.
Men's division: Football – Rouge et Or of Université Laval
Following their conquest of the Dunsmore Cup and the Uteck Cup, the Rouge et Or won their 9th Vanier Cup in the program's history. 5 players were named to the Canadian all-star team and 1 won the U SPORTS Lineman of the Year award.
2016-2017 COACH OF THE YEAR / JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL AWARD
Women's section: Ryan Thorne – Basketball – McGill University Martlets
With a regular-season record of 9 wins and 7 losses, her team rebounded in the playoffs by winning its 6th consecutive RSEQ Championship and the Canadian Championship, their first gold medal in the program's history.
Men's volet: Félix-Antoine Lapointe – Cross-country – Rouge et Or de l'Université Laval
Having won a 6th consecutive RSEQ Championship, he leads his team to a first U SPORTS Canadian title for Quebec since 1972. He wins the Coach of the Year award for the 4th consecutive year.
2016-2017 GILDAN STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR / LEADERSHIP
Student-athlete who has distinguished themselves through community involvement and the ability to demonstrate leadership appreciated by those around them.
Myriam Robitaille – Volleyball – McGill University Martlets
Myriam was part of a team of five volunteers that organized the Serve tournament, a fundraiser benefiting sex education in Quebec in collaboration with the organization À deux mains. Named to the RSEQ 2nd All-Star Team in 2017, she is pursuing her studies in French language and literature.
