Cole Grbavac honored with Governor General's Academic All-Canadian commendation

Top 8 Academic All-Canadians
CIS recipients honoured at Rideau Hall

ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY SPORT (AUS)

Name: Katie Ross
Hometown: Bedford, N.S.
School: Acadia University
Faculty: Professional Studies
Program: Kinesiology
Sports: Soccer / Basketball
Eligibility in 2014-15: 2^nd year 

A native of Halifax whose family now resides in Bedford, N.S., two-sport athlete Katie Ross has played in all games for Acadia's women's soccer and basketball teams since she joined the Axewomen program in the fall of 2013. In soccer, the center midfielder was named a second-team AUS all-star following a rookie season and, as a sophomore, helped the Axewomen reach the conference championship game. In basketball, she was also a member of the starting lineup each of her first two campaigns.

Academically, Ross has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average in a demanding kinesiology program. A CIS Academic All-Canadian and member of the Dean's List in each of her first two years on the Wolfville, N.S., campus, she was also the recipient of the International Baccalaureate Scholarship (2013-2017) and the Class of 1937 Scholarship (2013-2017).

In the community, the 20-year-old is involved with the Junior Axewomen Basketball Program, the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Valley Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, ENACTUS Wolfville Food Drives, as well as Camp Triumph Door-to-Door Fundraiser, to name only a few. She is also a volunteer soccer coach and referee. 

"I count myself very privileged to work with so many great athletes and people at the CIS level while coaching women's soccer at Acadia. Amongst the many athletes and students I am in contact with, there are few more impressive than Katie with regards to the standards she sets and the variety of roles she takes within the team, at Acadia, and in the greater community," said Amit Batra. 

"Katie is a unique student-athlete and citizen. To say that she is unusually well-rounded would be to dramatically understate. She exhibits a rare capacity for extremely high achievement within several overlapping, intensely-competitive endeavours," added Acadia women's basketball head coach Bev Greenlaw.

Name: Cole Grbavac
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
School: St. Francis Xavier University
Faculty: Business Administration
Program: Accounting (minor in Economics)
Sport: Hockey
Eligibility in 2014-15: 3^rd year 

Born and raised in Calgary, Cole Grbavac played his junior hockey in the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers and Medicine Hat Tigers, where he was team captain in his final year. After moving out East to join the X-Men in the fall of 2012, the 6-foot-2 forward was named an assistant captain in his third season and went on to contribute 14 points in 24 conference games, before competing at the University Cup national championship in Halifax. 

In the classroom, Grbavac has maintained the highest academic average amongst all StFX student-athletes (male or female) in each of his first three years on campus, including an exceptional 95.8% mark in 2014-15 that ranked first amongst the school's 159 third-year business students. A three-time CIS Academic All-Canadian and member of the Dean's List, the 24-year-old has received numerous academic awards since he arrived in Antigonish, N.S., including the Danny Gallivan Memorial Scholarship, StFX Athletics' most prestigious scholarship honouring excellence in academics, athletics and community involvement.  

Grbavac's volunteer work in the community and on campus is also second to none. In 2014-15 alone, he was a member of the Schwartz School of Business Society, vice president of SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Council), coached with the Antigonish Minor Hockey Mentorship Program, graduated from the StFX Leadership Academy, and was a tutor for X-Men hockey teammates and other StFX students.

"Cole has been an outstanding member of our hockey program. He exemplifies what a student-athlete should aspire to be," said X-Men head coach Brad Peddle. "His work ethic both on the ice and in the classroom has made him a leader on our team, and he has shown a tremendous ability to balance academics, athletics and community service throughout his years at StFX."

RÉSEAU DU SPORT ÉTUDIANT DU QUÉBEC (RSEQ)

Name: Katia Forcier
Hometown: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.
School: University of Montreal
Faculty: Medicine
Program: Audiology  
Sport: Volleyball
Eligibility in 2014-15: 2^nd year 

A native of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., Katia Forcier had an immediate impact upon joining the Carabins in 2013-2014 as she was named the CIS rookie of the year in women's volleyball. Trusted into the starting lineup from day one, she resumed her domination in her second university season, meriting RSEQ conference MVP honours and first-team All-Canadian status, while leading "Les Bleues" to a third-place finish at the national championship. A few months later, last July, the standout setter represented Canada at the Summer Universiade in South Korea.

Academically, Forcier has been a CIS Academic All-Canadian each of her first two years at the U of M. A student in audiology in the faculty of medicine, she has maintained a 3.7 cumulative grade point average out of 4.3 since the fall of 2013, including an impressive 3.88 average in the winter 2015 semester. 

The 22-year-old is also involved in her community, particularly in volleyball as a volunteer coach with the Montreal Celtic Club, helping with the development of young players in her sport.

"Katia epitomizes what being a student-athlete is all about," said Carabins women's volleyball head coach Olivier Trudel. "She becomes a better volleyball player every year, both individually and collectively, but maybe more importantly she also becomes a better student. She demonstrates a constant desire to push the boundaries of excellence."

Name: François Bourque
Hometown: Terrebonne, Que.
School: McGill University
Faculty: Desautels School of Management
Program: Accounting
Sport: Basketball
Eligibility in 2014-15: 2^nd year

Born in Montreal and raised in the suburb of Terrebonne, François Bourque was a star from day one with the basketball Redmen. After being named to the RSEQ all-rookie team and leading McGill to the conference title in 2013-14, the 6-foot-6 forward was voted MVP of the Quebec league and a CIS All-Canadian in his second season, which was capped with the Uldis Auders Memorial Trophy presented to the school's top sophomore student-athlete. 

Bourque has been as successful in the classroom since the fall of 2013, meriting CIS Academic All-Canadian status and a selection to the Principal's Student-Athlete Honour Roll in each of his first two years at McGill, while also receiving an Academic Excellence Bursary from the Fondation de l'athlète d'excellence du Québec in 2014-15. An accounting major in the Desautels faculty of management, he earned a 3.72 cumulative grade-point average (out of 4.0), including a superb 3.92 in the 2015 winter semester.

"We're extremely proud of Frank and what he has accomplished, both on and off the court," said McGill men's basketball head coach David DeAveiro. "It's quite a challenge to study in a language that's not his mother tongue. He worked really hard to get into the faculty of management, so his prime focus has been his academics, as well as the time that we ask him to commit to the team. He's a prime example of what a student-athlete is and should be. He comes to compete every day and brings consistency with hard work."

ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS (OUA)

Name: Sasha Gollish
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
School: University of Toronto
Faculty: Applied Science and Engineering
Program: PHD (Civil Engineering)
Sport: Track & Field
Eligibility in 2014-15: 4^th year 

To say that Sasha Gollish had a dream season with the Varsity Blues track and field program in 2014-15 would be a major understatement. In her fourth campaign with the team, the Toronto native was named the CIS athlete of the year in track events and female MVP of both the OUA and CIS championships after she helped the Blues women capture the conference banner for the first time since 2004 and the national team title for the first time since 1998. At the CIS championships in Windsor, she claimed five medals, including three gold, and helped set a Canadian senior record – and erase a 27-year-old meet standard – in the 4x800m relay.

Academically, Gollish, who already holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Engineering, is currently pursuing her PhD in civil engineering and was a straight A student in the winter 2015 semester. She is a two-time CIS Academic All-Canadian and a recipient of the U of T's prestigious Hal Brown Scholarship.

Despite her busy athletic and academic schedule, Gollish still finds time to give back to the community. In recent years, she has been a volunteer with Fast and Female, an organization dedicated to empowering young women through sport; has won the Community Coach Developer Award presented by Investors Group; was director of the Ontario Cycling Association; and is also an Olympic level coach, specializing in mental training of entry-level athletes.

"I can use words such as leader, bright, talented, determined and committed to describe Sasha, however, words alone cannot define her passion to make a difference in her community," said Carl Georgevski, head coach of the Varsity Blues track and field program. "Academically, she is pursuing her PhD in order to discover innovative methods of teaching math to engineers. Athletically, she is chasing the Olympic dream and is currently only one second off the 2016 Olympic standard. In both areas, Sasha is striving to be the very best she can be."

Name: Austin Kennedy
Hometown: Windsor, Ont.
School: University of Windsor
Faculty: Business
Program: Finance (minor in Psychology)
Sport: Football
Eligibility in 2014-15: 5^th year 

Austin Kennedy wrapped up his remarkable career with the Lancers football program in the fall of 2014. Over five seasons, he was a three-time OUA conference all-star, was twice voted team MVP, tied the OUA career record with 79 touchdown passes, became only the fourth quarterback in CIS history to reach the magical 10,000-yard plateau (10,004) and graduated as the all-time school leader in most passing categories. In his final campaign last fall, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound pivot averaged 282 yards through the air per game with a 15-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

The 24-year-old Windsor native was equally as impressive – if not more – in the classroom, graduating with distinction from the faculty of business as a five-time CIS Academic All-Canadian, member of the Dean's List and recipient of the Blue & Gold Scholarship. He also made the President's Honour Roll on two occasions and was a three-time recipient of the prestigious Gino Fracas Scholarship.

Kennedy was involved in the Windsor football community throughout his five years with the Lancers as a volunteer coach with numerous programs and camps, but his involvement went beyond his sport as he was also a volunteer business consultant (TechTown Detroit Health Hackathon), guest speaker (Odette High School Leadership Initiative), VIP host (CIS women's basketball championship) and camp supervisor (Riverside Basketball Camp), to name a few.

"Austin is a perfect example of what a student-athlete should strive to be," said Lancers football head coach Joe D'Amore. "He was not only a record-breaking star on the football field, but he held the highest GPA on our team for four years and showed an incredible work ethic in everything he did."

CANADA WEST UNIVERSITIES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (CWUAA)

Name: Sarah Wierks
Hometown: Chilliwack, B.C.
School: University of the Fraser Valley
Faculty: Sciences
Program: Kinesiology
Sport: Basketball
Eligibility in 2014-15: 5^th year 

In five years with UFV's women's basketball team, Sarah Wierks was not only one of the most dominant players in the Canada West conference, she also helped put on the CIS map a program that joined the league in 2006-07. After helping the Cascades claim a historical CIS bronze medal in the winter of 2014, the 6-foot-2 post enjoyed her finest individual season a year ago when she wrapped up her university career as a first-team Canada West all-star and second-team All-Canadian. As a senior, she led the country in rebounding (15.4 per game) and was fourth in scoring (19.2), broke or tied six conference marks, and graduated with 30 team records.

A four-time CIS Academic All-Canadian, the native of Chilliwack, B.C., obtained her Bachelor of Kinesiology last spring after maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.69, including impressive 4.0 and 4.08 marks in her last two semesters.

In the community, the 22-year-old was involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley for four years, was part of the women's basketball team's Shoot for the Cure fundraiser, participated in Operation Red Nose each year in December, helped collect food for the Abbotsford Food Bank through the Cascades annual Halloween Walk and Knock, and also coached with the Junior Cascades basketball club for five summers.

"It's a great honour for Sarah to be recognized not just athletically, but for what a great student she was," said Cascades women's basketball head coach Al Tuchscherer. "It's a great recognition to finish her five outstanding years at UFV. She set the standard for our program on the court, in the classroom, and with her work in the community."

Name: Andrew Buckley
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
School: University of Calgary
Faculty: Kinesiology
Program: Kinesiology
Sports: Football
Eligibility in 2014-15: 4^th year 

Entering his final season with the Dinos this fall, Andrew Buckley had already secured his place as one of the best quarterbacks in school, Canada West and CIS history. After serving as a backup in his first two campaigns, Buckley earned the starting job in 2013 and has since put up record-breaking numbers, including a 2014 season that was capped with the Hec Crighton Trophy as the most outstanding player in the nation and a selection by his hometown Calgary Stampeders in the 2015 CFL draft. In eight league games a year ago, the 6-foot, 201-pound pivot completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,175 yards and 18 touchdowns, added 510 yards and 10 majors on the ground, and helped Calgary become the first team in Canada West annals to racked up over 5,000 yards of offence in a single season.

In addition to the Hec Crighton, Buckley also received his second straight Russ Jackson Award in 2014 as the CIS football player who best combines excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community, making him the first student-athlete in history to capture both trophies in the same campaign. A four-time CIS Academic All-Canadian who plans to attend medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon, the 22-year-old has so far maintained a superb grade point average of 3.93 in kinesiology and has been involved in several research studies with findings presented at major North American medical conferences.

His community service is as remarkable, including with several football development camps in Calgary and Lacombe, Alta., volunteering with elderly gentlemen with late stage of Alzheimer's disease, and his involvement with the Sandwich for a Story initiative in downtown Calgary, the Foothills Hospital, the Colonel Belcher's Senior's Home, as well as a 10-day humanitarian trip to Guatemala back in 2011.

"Andrew leads by example. His positive and enthusiastic approach to every challenge he faces brings a calming effect to his teammates. They know that they can trust Andrew in every situation presented both on and off the field," said Dinos football head coach Wayne Harris. "His will to prepare and desire to succeed are solidly grounded in his outstanding work ethic. He represents Dinos Football exceptionally well and we are proud of all that he has accomplished."

ALL-TIME RECIPIENTS

2014-2015
AUS: Katie Ross, Acadia (soccer / basketball) / Cole Grbavac, StFX (hockey)
RSEQ: Katia Forcier, Montreal (volleyball) / François Bourque, McGill (basketball)
OUA: Sasha Gollish, Toronto (track & field) / Austin Kennedy, Windsor (football)
CWUAA: Sarah Wierks, Fraser Valley (basketball) / Andrew Buckley, Calgary (football) 

2013-2014
AUS: Michelle Pryde, Acadia (soccer) / Adrian Robertson, UNB (hockey)
RSEQ: Mariam Sylla, McGill (basketball) / Cédric McNicoll, McGill (hockey)
OUA: Caroline Ehrhardt, Western (track & field) / Tyson Hinz, Carleton (basketball)
CWUAA: Brittany Habing, Manitoba (volleyball) / Jordan Baker, Alberta (basketball) 

2012-2013
AUS: Monica MacDonald, UNB (swimming) / Travis Gibbons, Acadia (hockey)
RSEQ: Émilie Chamard, Montreal (soccer) / Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, McGill (football)
OUA: Alicia Brown, Toronto (track & field) / Steven Takahashi, Western (wrestling)
CWUAA: Jaki Ellis, Alberta (volleyball) / Paul Clerc, UBC (soccer) 

2011-2012
AUS: Miranda McMillan, Dalhousie (hockey) / Nathan Musoke, Dalhousie (track & field)
RSEQ: Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, Laval (rugby) / Marc-André Dorion, McGill (hockey)
OUA: Nicole Sassine, Windsor (track & field) / Darragh McGee, Toronto (soccer)
CWUAA: Hayley Wickenheiser, Calgary (hockey) / Kyle Ross, Saskatchewan (hockey) 

2010-2011
AUS: Heather Ambery, UNB (soccer) / Daniel You, Dalhousie (volleyball)
RSEQ: Alexandra Lojen, Montreal (volleyball) / Marc-André Dorion, McGill (hockey)
OUA: Erika Reiser, Windsor (track & field) / Shujon Mazumber, Toronto (wrestling)
CWUAA: Hayley Wickenheiser, Calgary (hockey) / Darren Mazzei, Victoria (cross country - T&F) 

2009-2010
AUS: Alex Legge, Dalhousie (basketball) / Jacob Kilpatrick, UNB (volleyball)
QSSF: Marie-Michelle Genois, Laval (basketball) / Steven Bielby, McGill (swimming)
OUA: Megan Brown, Toronto (cross country - T&F) / Dillon Heap, Wilfrid Laurier (football)
CWUAA: Jennifer Hinze, UBC (volleyball) / Thomas Hall, Manitoba (football) 

2008-2009
AUS: Isabelle Miles, UNB (soccer) / Christopher Morrison, Saint Mary's (hockey)
QSSF: Paméla Filiatrault-Veilleux, Laval (swimming) / Emmanuel André-Morin, Montreal (volleyball)
OUA: Noelle Montcalm, Windsor (track & field) / Keith Beavers, Waterloo (swimming)
CWUAA: Kayla Dykstra, Victoria (basketball) / Kyle Ross, Regina (hockey) 

2007-2008
AUS: Justine McMillan, Acadia (cross country) / Niklas Rademacher, Dalhousie (volleyball)
QSSF: Jennifer Thomson, McGill (volleyball) / Tyler Marghetis, Concordia (wrestling)
OUA: Brae Anne McArthur, Guelph (track & field) / Brad Rootes, Brock (basketball)
CWUAA: Adrianne Vangool, Saskatchewan (track & field) / Benjamin Schellenberg, Winnipeg (volleyball) 

2006-2007
AUS: Katie Hollinshead, Dalhousie (soccer) / Colin Sinclair, UNB (hockey)
QSSF: Audrey Lacroix, Montreal (swimming) / David Foley, Sherbrooke (track & field)
OUA: Jackie Malette, Windsor (cross country - T&F) / Justin Hall, Queen's (cross country - T&F)
CWUAA: Katie Davidson, Manitoba (volleyball) / Jay Langager, Lethbridge (hockey) 

2005-2006
AUS: Christine Terese Chislom, StFX (cross country) / Jeff Weiler, Dalhousie (volleyball)
QSSF: Marylène Laplante, Laval (volleyball) / Nicolas Murray, Laval (swimming)
OUA: Jackie Malette, Windsor (cross country - T&F) / Joel Scherban, Lakehead (hockey)
CWUAA: Kristen Hagg, Alberta (hockey) / Chris Meehan, Trinity Western (volleyball) 

2004-2005
AUS: Hilary Burn, Dalhousie (cross country - T&F) / Tyler Dyck, StFX (hockey)
QSSF: Danielle Day, McGill (soccer) / Tyler Marghetis, Concordia (wrestling)
OUA: Allison Oosterhuis, Western Ontario (soccer) / Ian MacLeod, Toronto (swimming)
CWUAA: Danielle Bourgeois, Alberta (hockey) / Paul Deniset, Manitoba (hockey) 

2003-2004
AUS: Natalie Oake, St. Thomas (hockey) / Daniel Hudgin, Moncton (hockey)
QSSF: Carolyn McCabe, McGill (swimming) / Simon Therrien, UQTR (soccer)        
OUA: Lulu Bursztyn, McMaster (wrestling) / Sagar Desai, Western Ontario (basketball)       
CWUAA: Danielle Bourgeois, Alberta (hockey) / Adam Ens, Saskatchewan (volleyball)       

2002-2003
AUS: Marieke Gardner, Dalhousie (soccer) / Kjetil Vaage, UNB (soccer)
QSSF: Marie-Hélène Giasson, Laval (swimming) / Alexandre Pichette, McGill (swimming)
OUA: Alison Mills, McMaster (volleyball) / Robert Smart, Carleton (basketball)
CWUAA: Maria Gallo, Alberta (rugby) / Blair St. Martin, Alberta (hockey) 

2001-2002
AUS: Andrea Faryniuk, Dalhousie (track & field) / Tim Mullen, Saint Mary's (soccer)
QSSF: Sarah Ali-Khan, McGill (cross country & T&F) / Strachan Hartley, McGill (football)
OUA: Lauren Fratesi, Ottawa (swimming) / Alexandre Hayes, Ottawa (swimming)
CWUAA: Jacqueline Lavallee, Saskatchewan (basketball) / Jeff Zorn, Alberta (hockey) 

2000-2001
AUAA: Kate Ellis, UPEI (basketball) / Steve Gallace, Saint Mary's (hockey)
QSSF: Catherine Foley, Sherbrooke (track & field) / Strachan Hartley, McGill (football)
OUA: Karina Verdon, Ottawa (hockey) / Andrew Kwiatkowski, Western Ontario (basketball)
GPAC: Brandy West, Regina (hockey) / Joey Mikawoz, Manitoba (football)
CWUAA: Jen Dowdeswell, UBC (field hockey) / Mark Versfeld, UBC (swimming) 

1999-2000
AUAA: Kate Ellis, UPEI (basketball) / Aaron Barkhouse, Dalhousie (soccer)
QSSF: Sara Russo-Garrido, Laval (soccer) / Yannick Demers, Montreal (swimming)
OUA: Kristine Spekkens, Queen's (volleyball) / Alex Hayes, Ottawa (swimming)
GPAC: Erin Soroko, Winnipeg (basketball) / Shawn Peters, Regina (track & field)
CWUAA: Kelly Matheson, Calgary (soccer) / Spencer Holt, Lethbridge (basketball) 

1998-1999
AUAA: Jolene Bourgeois, UNB (field hockey) / Jan Trojanowski, Acadia (basketball)
QSSF: Stephanie Welsh, McGill (track & field) / David Dufresne, UQTR (soccer)
OUA: Nathalie Côté, Ottawa (cross country - T&F) / Bob McGill, Queen's (cross country - T&F)
GPAC: Nadia Melon, Manitoba (volleyball) / Shawn Peters, Regina (track & field)
CWUAA: Jessica Mills, UBC (basketball) / Curtis Myden, Calgary (swimming) 

1997-1998
AUAA: Tracy McGee, UPEI (field hockey) / Peter Benoite, Memorial (basketball)
QSSF: Wendy Whelan, McGill (volleyball) / Alexandre Émond, Montreal (volleyball)
OUA: Rebecca Chambers, Toronto (track & field) / Tim Cowan, McMaster (swimming)
GPAC: Kathy Hrehirchuk, Manitoba (volleyball) / Darreb Peters, Regina (track & field)
CWUAA: Sarah Joly, Alberta (soccer) / Mike Dalziel, UBC (volleyball) 

1996-1997
AUAA: Rachelle Beaton, Dalhousie (track & field) / Chris Diamond, UPEI (soccer)
QSSF: Andrea Bacsfalusi, McGill (swimming) / Pierre Hudon, Laval (football)
OWIAA / OUAA: Laurie Halfpenny, Guelph (soccer) / Russell Jones, Toronto (swimming)
GPAC: Amanda Mlodzinski, Manitoba (swimming) / Phil Peters, Winnipeg (volleyball)
CWUAA: Sarah Joly, Alberta (soccer) / Mike Sieben, Alberta (volleyball) 

1995-1996
AUAA: Carla Edwards, Mount Allison (volleyball) / Chris Diamond, UPEI (soccer)
QSSF: Anna Leong, McGill (swimming) / Alex Hutchinson, McGill (track & field)
OWIAA / OUAA: Vicki White, Ottawa (soccer) / David Kantor, Queen's (volleyball)
GPAC: Jackie Honey, Manitoba (track & field) / Mel McManus, Manitoba (track & field)
CWUAA: Liz Smith, Alberta (soccer) / John McArthur, UBC (swimming) 

1994-1995
AUAA: Jill Lawless, Acadia (volleyball) / Vojtech Kucera, St. Thomas (hockey)
QSSF: Caroline Vachon, Laval (track & field) / David O'Hara, McGill (cross country)
OWIAA / OUAA: Karen Jackson, York (basketball) / David Kantor, Queen's (volleyball)
GPAC: Renelda Friessen, Manitoba (volleyball) / Wayne Weathers, Manitoba (football & wrestling)
CWUAA: Adair Duncan, UBC (basketball) / Todd Langley, Victoria (basketball) 

1993-1994
AUAA: Kathy McNally, UPEI (field hockey) / Ron Whelan, StFX (soccer)
QSSF: Julia Maughan, McGill (soccer) / Jason Della Rocca, Concordia (wrestling)
OWIAA / OUAA: Karen Jackson, York (basketball) / Craig Donaldson, Western Ontario (hockey)
GPAC: Sandra Carroll, Winnipeg (basketball) / Scott Koskie, Manitoba (volleyball)
CWUAA: Erika Forster, UBC (track & field) / Curtis Myden, Calgary (swimming)