Sport York held its 39th Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday night at the Montecassino Place Banquet Hall in Toronto. Dignitaries from the University joined coaches, therapists and more than 400 student-athletes from 23 teams in celebrating the 2006-2007 season at York University.
Female Athlete of the Year
Kim Gibbs (Basketball)
The Female Athlete of the Year is awarded to a female athlete who has exhibited outstanding athletic skill, character and fair play in her sport and as a result contributed to the success of her team.
Fourth-year forward Kim Gibbs led the York Lions women’s basketball team to its first Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championship since 1982, its best regular season record in University history and its second-straight appearance at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) National Championship. A first team OUA all-star, Gibbs was also named the OUA West Defensive Player of 
the Year.
Right: Kim Gibbs (left) receives the Female Athlete of the Year award from Robert Tiffin, York VP students
As a co-captain for the Lions, she led the team in rebounding and steals, while finishing second in points and free throw shooting percentage. A York Sport Excellence Award winner, Gibbs saved her finest play for the post-season. She was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the OUA Championship game and was twice chosen as York’s Player of the Game at the CIS National Championship.
Male Athlete of the Year
Dan Eves (Basketball)
The Male Athlete of the Year is awarded to a male athlete who has exhibited outstanding athletic skill, character and fair play in his sport and as a result contributed to the success of his team.
Barrie, Ont. native Dan Eves finished his university basketball career as a second team CIS all-Canadian and a first team OUA all-star. In his final year at York, he finished third in the OUA in 
scoring and 12th in the CIS, averaging 19.85 points per game.
Right: Dan Eves (left) receives the Male Athlete of the Year trophy from York VP Finance & Administration Gary Brewer
The fifth-year Kinesiology major was a team co-captain and a York Sport Excellence Award winner. In tournament play, Eves was named an all-star for the University of Prince Edward Island Tournament, while earning MVP honours at the Ed DeArmon Memorial Basketball Tournament at Ryerson.
Female Rookie of the Year
Effie Petrou (Field Hockey)
The recipient must be 21 years of age or younger as of December 31, in the first year of eligibility in university competition.
Effie Petrou sparkled for the field hockey team in her first season at York. In addition to being a member of the Sport Council, she was named a first team OUA all-star and a second team CIS all-Canadian. She helped the women’s field hockey team claim an OUA silver medal and advance to the CIS Championship. Thanks a sensational rookie campaign, Petrou was named both the OUA and CIS Rookie of the Year in field hockey.
Male Rookie of the Year
Jamaal Smith (Soccer)
The recipient must be 21 years of age or younger as of December 31, in the first year of eligibility in university competition.
Mississauga, Ont. native Jamaal Smith bested some of the OUA’s top strikers in his first year with the men’s soccer team. An aggressive defender, Smith was called on to mark the opposition’s top forward and he did so in dominating fashion. His breakout season at the university level earned him first team OUA all-star honours. As a rookie, Smith also netted himself provincial and national recognition as he was named the OUA and CIS Rookie of the Year in men’s soccer.
Most Improved Team
Women’s Rugby
Awarded to the team that has demonstrated the greatest improvement over the previous year.
In 2005-2006, the women’s rugby team finished out of the playoffs with a 1-6 record. This season, they rebounded to finish with a 5-2 record. Their regular season mark earned the squad its first playoff appearance since 2003-04. Four Lions were named first team OUA all-stars.
Charles Saundercook Award
Bart Zemanek (Football)
The Charles Saundercook Memorial Trophy is presented to a male athlete within the men’s interuniversity sport program who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, enthusiasm for life, and the consideration of others.
A four-year starter on the Lions football team, quarterback Bart Zemanek excelled both on and off the field. A three-year captain, Zemanek set a York record for most completions in a single season in 2006. Off the field, he was an Academic all-Canadian, a three-time Lions Achievement Award recipient and a four-time recipient of York’s Sport Excellence Award. In addition to being the team manager for the women’s volleyball team for two seasons, Zemanek was also a two-time recipient of the Stuart G. Robbins Award for maintaining the highest GPA among all male athletes at York, as well as being a two-time recipient of the Arthur C. Johnson Bursary.
Bryce Taylor Award
Melanie Quinn (Hockey)
The Bryce Taylor Award is presented to a female athlete within the women’s interuniversity sport program who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, enthusiasm for life and the consideration of others.
During her five-year run on York women’s hockey team, netminder Melanie Quinn established herself as one of the dominant goaltenders in the CIS. A three-time OUA first team all-star and a 2005-06 first team CIS all-Canadian, Quinn was York’s team MVP for the 2006-07 season. Over five years between the pipes for York, she made more saves than any other goaltender in the country, while maintaining a save percentage over .900. A York Sport Excellence Award recipient, Quinn was also the recipient of the Kenaidan Contracting Hockey Award.
Sport Council Award
Lane Chong (Swimming)
The Sport Council Award is presented to the sport council member that made outstanding contributions to Interuniversity sport at York University. Leadership, dedication, enthusiasm and participation in all aspects of sport council will be considered qualifications for this award.
A second-year member of the swimming team, Lane Chong has been the recording secretary for the sport council for the past two years. An important member of the council in organizing fund raising projects, Chong played a lead role in the development of the “Boxer Short” Project.
Spirit Cup Award
Peter Cicco
Stephen Foster
Nick Reynolds (Football)
This award, donated by President & Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden, is presented to the individual or group within York University that best exemplifies the spirit of York University and their involvement.
This year’s Spirit Cup Award is shared by three students. Peter Cicco and Stephen Foster, known as the Bugle and Drummer Boys, brought life and energy to all the sporting events they attended using instruments, cheers and chants. Nick Reynolds, a second-year running back for the football squad, is a vocal and recognizable fan at York’s sporting events. He helped organize York’s fan contingent that traveled to McMaster for the women’s basketball OUA Final.
Atheletic Therapy Awards
These awards recognize students in the Athletic Therapy Certificate Program who have made significant contributions to the success of York University Interuniversity Sports.
- Laurie Augustin
- Dylan Bailey
- 2006-2007 MVP’s
- Badminton: Lucas Wong, Anna Loi
- Basketball: Dan Eves, Kim Gibbs
- Cross Country: Yuestas David, Fiona Turner
- Field Hockey: Leanne Kelly
- Football: Bart Zemanek
- Hockey: Kevin Druce, Melanie Quinn
- Rugby: Natalie Tam
- Soccer: Jamaal Smith, Jodie Williams
- Swimming: Richard Tse
- Tennis: Erik Salka, Jenna McIntyre
- Track and Field: Justin McLennan, Sarah Katz
- Volleyball: Ryan Anderson, Elizabeth Salas
- Water Polo: Ryan Forde, Julie Csikos
This story was submitted to YFile by Stephen Reid, sport & recreation information assistant in York’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science in the Faculty of Health.