By May Strutt
Western’s top student-athletes were honoured at the university’s annual Scholar Athletes Award Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at The Great Hall in Somerville House. This year, a total of 320 athletes were recognized for achieving an average of 80% or higher in each of their courses while participating in a varsity sport during the 2012-2013 academic year.
“These athletes are committed to what they do on their sports surface of choice, and also what they do in the classroom,” said Janice Deakin, Western University’s Vice Provost. “They are a great example of the kind of student leadership we have on campus, and we are very proud of their accomplishments both in the classroom and on the field.”
With seven provincial and four national titles under their belts already this year, the Mustangs are a powerhouse on the field of play as well as in the classroom. Western boasts the highest number of student-athletes in the country to achieve the status of Canadian Interuniversity Sport Academic All-Canadians, a title awarded to student-athletes who maintain an average of 80% or higher in their program while competing in a sport at the university level.
“Our scholar athletes who are being recognized today are an inspiration to all of us,” said Thérèse Quigley, Western’s Director of Sport and Recreation Services. “We share the pride of these students’ families, coaches and professors today, while also appreciating the academic advisors, councillors, Dean’s offices, centre for student development, and our own student-athlete success program administrators for the endless support they provide our student-athletes in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.”
Each of the 320 recipients received a certificate denoting their status as either a CIS Academic All-Canadian, an OUA Achievement Award winner, or a Western Mustangs Scholar Athlete.
Among those honoured was Steven Takahashi, a kinesiology student and Mustang wrestler who has excelled in the classroom since he arrived at Western three years ago, earning recognition on the Dean’s List and as a CIS Academic All-Canadian in each of his years at Western. A recipient of numerous academic accolades over the years, he holds an 83.56 per cent average in his kinesiology program and was honoured last week in Ottawa as a CIS Top Eight Academic All-Canadian. Takahashi, who was crowned individual champion in his weight class in each of his first three appearances at the OUA and CIS championships, was presented the award by His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.
In her remarks to the student-athletes in attendance, Quigley spoke about the Governor General and his call for Canadians to give back to their communities to create a smarter and more caring nation, something that many Western student-athletes are doing regularly.
“Governor General David Johnson spoke at the awards ceremony last week of a campaign that he launched earlier this week called ‘My Giving Moment’ that encourages everyone to discover their own giving instinct to create a ‘smart, caring, nation’,” Quigley said. “Our Western Athletic Council is actively engaged in outreach through the Food Bank and many other initiatives, while other teams have established their own outreach with various organizations, and we will strive to continue to make an impact within the community.
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