The Foundation for Athletic Excellence distributes $461,000 $ at its Quebec university sports gala

Montreal, December 1, 2020 – The Quebec University Sport Gala of the Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ), presented by RDS and Fiera Capital, crowned seven of the best student-athletes of the 2019-2020 season in addition to awarding 461 000 $ in merit and recruitment scholarships of more than 90 student-athletes Quebec's college and university levels.

The FAEQ is therefore pleased to announce the names of the recipients for the 2020-2021 school year of 24 college recruitment scholarships 3,000 $ over 3 years and 31 university recruitment scholarships 10,000 $ over 5 years.

In the current context of the pandemic and its many consequences on college and university sports, the FAEQ decided this summer to set up a special bursary program aimed at supporting 15 student-athletes who had started their season at an institution outside the province and who were considering a return to Quebec for the next college or university session. This special program consisted of 10 university scholarships of 2,000 $ and 5 college scholarships of 1,000 $ (three will be delivered in 2021).

Finally, 21 merit scholarships In 2000, $ awards were presented to the 19 finalists in the categories of Academic Excellence, Individual Athletic Excellence, Team Athletic Excellence, and Leadership.

«Student-athletes have had to show great resilience in recent months in the face of constant adaptations imposed on them by the COVID-19 pandemic, both at school and in sports. It is therefore with pride that we announce we are able to help nearly 90 college and university students weather this unprecedented storm," said the executive director of the Athletic Excellence Foundation, Patricia Demers. Our new structure established in 2017 and 2018, which allows us to support a student-athlete in their academic and athletic journey for eight years, is becoming more relevant than ever. Humbly, we hope to be able to guide our scholarship holders safely to their destination in the coming months, which promise to be eventful, but probably also brighter.»

The FAEQ, in partnership with TVGO and the RSEQ, therefore recorded a one-hour show, broadcast on December 1st at 7:00 p.m. on RDS and rds.ca with several reruns on December 2, 3, and 9. The presentation, hosted by Annie Pelletier, former FAEQ scholarship recipient, and Matthieu Proulx, two-time Vanier Cup winner with the Rouge et Or, allowed the FAEQ to showcase our young leaders of tomorrow who have distinguished themselves academically, athletically, or through social involvement.

The Molson Coors Canada Academic Excellence Student-Athlete of the Year is Jean-Simon Desgagnés (medicine) in track and field and cross-country with the Rouge et Or of Université Laval. The resident of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges maintained an academic average of 3.94 out of 4.30 and earned 28 credits. A gold medalist in the 3,000 m and silver medalist in the 1,500 m at the Canadian university level, the RSEQ male athlete of the year captured the Quebec university titles in the 1,500 m, the 3,000 m, and cross-country.

The RDS Individual Sport Excellence Student-Athlete of the Year is Jessy Lacourse (preschool and elementary education) in track and field with the Rouge et Or of Université Laval. Gold medalist in the 3000m at the Canadian University Championships, the Quebec City resident was named to the U SPORTS First All-Star Team. Named female athlete of the Quebec Championships, she won the 3000m, 1500m, and 4x800m relay, in addition to finishing second in the 4x400m relay.

The RDS Individual Sport Excellence Student-Athlete of the Year is Jean-Simon Desgagnés (medicine) in track and field and cross-country with the Université Laval Rouge et Or.Gold medalist in the 3000m and silver medalist in the 1500m at the Canadian university level, the RSEQ male athlete of the year captured the Quebec university titles in the 1500m, 3000m, and cross-country. The resident of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges was named to the first U SPORTS and RSEQ all-star teams.

The National Bank student-athlete of the year in the Team Sport Excellence category is Amaiquen Siciliano (business administration) in basketball with the Bishop's University Gaiters. Named RSEQ MVP, she led the Gaiters to second place in the regular season while being the league's top scorer. The native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was also named to the U SPORTS and RSEQ first all-star teams.

The Government of Quebec Team Sport Excellence Student-Athlete of the Year is Andrew Seinet-Spaulding (social work) in football with the McGill University Redbirds. RSEQ leader in sacks with 7 and tackles for a loss with 13.5, he was named RSEQ Defensive Player of the Year. The Montreal athlete was also selected as Lineman of the Year and to the defensive all-star teams by U SPORTS and the RSEQ after totaling 27.5 tackles.