Duff, Gooch, named Athletes of the Year

Author: Sheldon Appelle

April 1, 2010

The University of Winnipeg is pleased to announce that men’s volleyball player Justin Duff and women’s basketball player Catie Gooch have been chosen as the 2009-2010 University of Winnipeg Wesmen Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

Male Athlete of the Year
Justin Duff, men’s Volleyball - Named a First Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star.  The 6’7” middle completed his fourth season, finishing in the top ten in several Canada West categories including, 2nd in hitting percentage (.448), 4th in points (4.32 ppg), and 5th in kills (3.43 kpg).  During the season he led the team in kills (279), blocks (73) and points (345).  Duff had a regular season high 23 kills against Trinity Western on Jan 22.  He was honoured as the Canada West Male Athlete of the Week (November 30, 2009).  Duff was named the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Challenge Player of the match in October.  As well Justin was the University of Winnipeg Male Athlete of the Month four times (October, November, December 2009 and January 2010) and the Male Player of the Week three times during the 2009-2010 season.

Female Athlete of the Year
Catie Gooch, women’s basketball - Fourth year guard was named to the Canada West Second All-Star Team for a third consecutive season.  Gooch was a sparkplug for the Wesmen, despite missing five regular season games due to injuries.  In the regular season, Gooch finished in the Canada West Conference top ten in several categories including: 3rd in scoring (16.1 ppg), 3rd in three-point fg made (2.5 per game), 6th in free throw percentage (60-of-73 80%), 7th in three point fg % (38%) and 2nd in minutes played (33.3 mpg).  Catie was named the University of Winnipeg Female Athlete of the Month (December, 2009) and the Female Athlete of the Week three times during the 2009-2010 season.

Complete List of Award Winners:

University of Winnipeg Male and Female Athletes of the Year:
Justin Duff (Men’s Volleyball) - Male Athlete of the Year
Catie Gooch (Women’s Basketball) - Female Athlete of the Year

Keith Cooper Memorial Award: (Excellence in Community Services):
Alicia Perry (Women’s Volleyball)

Dave Anderson Award: (Outstanding Service in the Advancement of Athletics):
Naoki Miyashita (University of Winnipeg’s Women’s Volleyball Assistant Coach, Jr. Wesmen Volleyball Club Mentor Coach)

Bill Wedlake Most Improved Players Award:
Marc Ross (Men’s Volleyball)
Lauren Sears (Women’s Volleyball)

Radisson Rookies of the Year:
Matt Schriemer (Men’s Volleyball)
Sonia Rossy (Women’s Volleyball)

Academic All-Canadians:
20 student athletes were recognized as Academic All-Canadian for the 2008-09 Academic year.  In order to gain this status a student athlete must finish the academic year with an overall average of 80% or better.  The Wesmen athletic department is proud of the fact that 40% of their student athletes earned Academic All-Canadian status which is double the national average of 20%.

“I am pleased that such a high percentage of our Wesmen athletes were able to achieve Academic All-Canadian status.  As a student athlete there are incredible demands for your time on the court, in the classroom and on the road during the season.  I not only congratulate the players but the coaches and the support staff that believe in our Wesmen tradition of academic importance”, added Athletic Director Doran Reid.

Mark June 30 on Your Calendars!
As the Honourary Chair, University of Winnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, invites you to take part in the first annual University of Winnipeg Wesmen golf tournament in support of the Wesmen Athletic Scholarship Fund.  This exciting new tournament will be yet another opportunity to connect Wesmen alumni, athletes, fans and family.  The St. Boniface Golf Club will play host to the tournament and dinner on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010.  Registration forms and more information will soon be available at www.wesmen.ca

I Heart U of W Dinner Supports Scholarships
As Honourary Co-Chairs, University of Winnipeg Chancellor Bob Silver and Kim Silver invite you to the first annual I Heart U of W Dinner.  It promises to be a night of Fun, Friends and a Fabulous cause.  The Event details are as follows:

Tuesday April 13, 2010
Canad Inns Polo Park
(Main Ballroom)
6:00 Cocktails
7:00 Dinner

Individual Tickets are $85 ($40 tax receipt)

Corporate Sponsorship is $1000 and includes
- seating for 8 with Corporate Name on Table in Select Location
- Recognition in Dinner Program
- Recognition on the Evening’s PowerPoint
- Tax Receipt for $640.00

New Summer Sport Camps Added to 2010 Lineup!
Wesmen Athletics is proud to announce the newest additions to our Summer Sport Camp lineup.  "Learning to Play the Wesmen Way" will now be even more fun, more informative and now its not even just for kids.  A new partnership with Steve Nash Youth Basketball and some evening adult camps have been added to our already popular basketball, volleyball and multi-sport camps.

Steve Nash Youth Basketball and Multi-sport All-Day Camps
A half day of fun in basketball with the new Steve Nash and Canada Basketball curriculum and the other half day will consist of a variety of sports including volleyball, racquet sports as well as other sports, 8:30-4:30 pm, boys and girls grades 1-5 or 6-9.

Adult Basketball or Volleyball Camps
One night a week for four weeks of instruction and fun in basketball or volleyball.  Each session will end with a final hour "chalk talk or video session" with food and refreshments, 7:00-10:00 pm, adults 18+.

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