Two York University Lions student-athletes have been nominated for the Bryce M. Taylor Award. The winner will be announced at the online varsity banquet on April 22.
As nominees, both are also recipients of a prestigious Lions Legacy Award, which are presented to the graduating student-athletes who have, throughout the undergraduate years, made outstanding contributions to varsity sport at York University. Leadership, dedication, enthusiasm and participation in all aspects of varsity sport will be considered qualifications for this award.
This year’s female Lions Legacy Award recipients and nominees for the Bryce M. Taylor Award are volleyball player Tara Leithead and hockey player Erin Locke.
Tara Leithead – Volleyball
A summary of Leithead’s accomplishments:
Tara Leithead
- Key role player who has switched positions multiple times throughout her career
- Three-time academic all-Canadian
- Completing a double major in social work and education
- Has completed two placements for her programs – TDSB and Children’s Aid Society
- President of York Sport Council
- Plans Lions 4 Lions events and leads community service initiatives – LeadHERS, Relay for Life, Dig for a Cure, Shoreham sport clinics
- Known as the “mother hen” of the team
- Works at the Tait front desk as a client services representative
- Three-time recipient of the Mary Lyons Award
- Assistant coach for the Scarborough Titans 13U team
Erin Locke – Hockey
Erin Locke
A summary of Locke’s accomplishments:
- OUA Marion Hillard Award recipient for academics, athletics and community service
- Played on the U SPORTS all-star team that competed at the Hockey Canada Summer Development Series last August
- Four-time academic all-Canadian
- Team captain
- PAWS mentor
- Volunteers at St. Johns Rehabilitation Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital every week
- Actively involved in the team’s ongoing relationship with HEROS hockey, providing outreach support for local kids to play hockey that wouldn’t have the opportunity to play