Awards and All-Canadians

HEC CRIGHTON TROPHY – Brad Sinopoli (Ottawa)
 
Sinopoli was sensational in his second season as Ottawa’s starting pivot. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound senior led the country with 2,756 passing yards, 22 touchdown passes and 184 completions in conference play, all school records. He was also second in the nation and first in the OUA with 301 attempts, another team mark. His completion percentage of 61.1 was good for third in the OUA.
 
In eight league games, the human kinetics student threw for over 400 yards on three occasions (439, 446, 451) and reached the 300-yard plateau in three more outings (309, 324, 345). He was also the Gee-Gees’ leading rusher with 534 yards on only 42 carries for a CIS-leading average of 12.7 yards per carry. Thanks to his leadership and strong play, Ottawa finished first in the OUA standings with a 7-1 record en route to an appearance in the Yates Cup final.
 
Sinopoli has been playing football since the age of 14 and credits his father as being very influential in his development, and his love for the game. Back in 2005, his Crestwood high school team was crowned the Ontario Bowl Champions.
 
“It’s pretty special to have a great athlete like he is. Probably one the best quarterbacks to play here at uOttawa, and still so passionate about learning,” said Ottawa head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin. “He’s very open-minded to new things that our coaching staff will bring to him, and he just keeps getting better.”
 
The other nominees for the Hec Crighton Trophy were Saint Mary’s receiver and returner Jahmeek Taylor of Mississauga, Ont., Sherbrooke wide receiver Simon Charbonneau Campeau of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., and Saskatchewan quarterback Laurence Nixon of Richmond, B.C.
 
PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY – Henoc Muamba (StFX)
 
Muamba, who was also the AUS nominee for the Presidents’ Trophy in 2008, is the third StFX player to claim the award since its inception in 1980 following Adam MacDonald in 2002 and Paul Frlan in 1995. Prior to this year, MacDonald had been the last recipient from the Atlantic conference.
 
The 6-foot, 230-pound business information systems student was dominant in his fourth season with the X-Men finishing second in the Atlantic and fourth in the country with 63.5 tackles in eight league games, including an AUS-leading 47 solo tackles. He was also in the top 10 in his conference with 11 tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks, while adding one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. His performances earned him all-Canadian status for the third straight season, including first-team nods two years running.
 
Muamba, who became the school’s all-time leader this fall with 149.5 career tackles, played in the CIS East West Bowl last spring and back in September, he was ranked the 11th top prospect – the only one from the AUS - for the 2011 CFL Canadian Draft by the league’s Amateur Scouting Bureau.
 
“There is no question Henoc is a phenomenal athlete, but it’s been his work ethic and study of the game that have turned him into a complete football player,” said StFX head coach Gary Waterman.
 
A trio of linebackers – Laval’s Frédérick Plesius of Laval, Que., Wilfrid Laurier’s Giancarlo Rapanaro of Niagara Falls, Ont., and Calgary’s Sam Hurl of Calgary - were also in the running for the Presidents’ Trophy.

J.P. METRAS TROPHY – Arnaud Gascon-Nadon (Laval)
 
Gascon-Nadon is the fourth Laval recipient of the J.P. Metras Trophy in the last decade. He follows in the footsteps of Étienne Légaré (2008), Dominic Picard (2005) and Carl Gourgues (2001).
 
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound lineman joined the Rouge et Or this year after starting his university career in 2008 at Rice University, where he was named to the Conference USA all-rookie team. He exploded on the CIS scene with eight quarterback sacks in his first six games and could have threatened the single-season national record of 12 had he not been injured in the seventh week of the schedule. His sack total was still good enough for third place in the country while his 17 tackles for losses tied him for the CIS lead. He finished the campaign with 25 tackles, including 19 of the solo variety.
 
Named to the first all-Canadian team, the industrial relations student helped Laval lead the nation for fewest points allowed for the third consecutive season and the fifth time in the past seven years. The Rouge et Or set a school record in conference play with an average of 6.4 points allowed per outing, en route to a 9-0 regular season, a CIS-record eighth straight QUFL title, a Uteck Bowl win and an appearance in the 46th Desjardins Vanier Cup.
 
A product of Cegep du Vieux Montréal, where he won multiple awards, Gascon-Nadon represented Canada at the 2007 Global Junior Championship in Florida.
 
“Arnaud is a dominating force. He is blessed with the rare combination of speed, power and ultimately explosiveness,” said Laval head coach Glen Constantin. “He is equally effective against the run or on passing plays. He is relentless, and his energy level is contagious, making him a great leader.”
 
Acadia defensive end Adrian Saturley of Terence Bay, N.S., Queen’s offensive tackle Matthew O’Donnell of Kingston, Ont., and Calgary offensive tackle Paul Swiston of Calgary were also vying for the Metras Trophy.

PETER GORMAN TROPHY – Eric Dzwilewski (Calgary)
 
Dzwilewski, a history student who turned 19 on Nov. 23, is the second consecutive Dino and the third in the last five years to win the Peter Gorman Trophy, following in the footsteps of current teammate Linden Gaydosh in 2009 and quarterback Dalin Tollestrup in 2006. Gord Goodwin also won the award for Calgary, back in 1976.
 
It was supposed to be a year for Dzwilewski to work under the tutelage of two-time Hec Crighton winner Erik Glavic, but an injury to the starter thrust the Boise, Idaho native into the spotlight just one week into the regular season. In his first start, the 6-foot, 175-pound freshman completed 13 of 20 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns as the Dinos defeated Regina 24-21 to earn their first win of the campaign. For his efforts, he was named Canada West offensive player of the week.
 
He followed up that first win with three more at Alberta, at Manitoba, and home to UBC and finished his rookie season 4-1 as a starter in Canada West – a key reason the Dinos put up a 6-2 record in conference play.
 
Dzwilewski, a graduate of Boise’s Centennial High School who spent several seasons as a water boy for the Boise State Broncos, was equally adept with his feet as with his arm. In addition to 894 passing yards, he wrapped up the season with 446 yards on 52 carries, good enough for seventh in Canada West and second on the team in rushing. The Canada West coaches unanimously named him the conference’s rookie of the year.
 
“You could argue that Eric was the MVP of the Dinos in 2010,” said Calgary head coach Blake Nill. “To have an 18-year-old quarterback step in unexpectedly and win his first four starts speaks volumes of his on-field talent and mindset. Eric is a dual-threat athlete who can make big plays through the air or with his feet. The Dinos will be in good shape with Eric at the helm over the next four years.”
 
St. Francis Xavier wide receiver Jordan Catterall of Oakville, Ont., Montreal defensive end David Ménard of Chicoutimi, Que., and Queen’s linebacker Sam Sabourin of Stittsville, Ont., were the other finalists for the rookie-of-the-year award.
 
RUSS JACKSON AWARD – Thomas Hall (Manitoba)
 
Hall became the fourth double-recipient of the Russ Jackson Award. Alberta’s Carl Panaro (1999, 2000), Saint Mary’s David Sykes (1992, 1993) and McGill’s J.P. Veri (1990, 1991) were also back-to-back winners.
 
In his third season with the Bisons, the junior linebacker led the team and finished fourth in Canada West with 42.5 tackles, including 33 solo. He also had 4.5 tackles for losses, two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
 
In the classroom, the kinesiology and recreational management student earned CIS Academic All-Canadian status for the second straight year thanks to a GPA of 4.14 and was selected as a CIS Desjardins Top 8 Academic All-Canadian for the 2009-2010 season.
 
In the community, the Winnipeg native is the Director of Project Echo, a not-for-profit organization that he co-founded in the summer of 2010. Project Echo has a sole goal to make Winnipeg a better place and they have already had three initiatives in the fall of 2010 as they raised money for Winnipeg city libraries, sponsored a home in Namibia, Africa to provide for ten orphan children and raised money for breast cancer. A major project for the holiday season is called Sam’s Christmas, as Project Echo will provide 20 families with hot Christmas dinners, new coats, new bedding, dry goods hampers, computers, toques and mitts.
 
Over the past year, Hall was also elected as the chair of the University of Manitoba Athlete’s Council (UMAC), received the University of Manitoba Student’s Union Scholarship based on academic record and was the Bison Sports Male Student-Athlete Leadership and Community Development Award winner for the second year in a row. In addition, he has coached Bison football youth camps and a ten-year-old flag football team in the spring season.
 
As a Manitoba Bisons student-athlete, Hall has been heavily involved over the last three seasons with “Bison Against Bullying” and starts his second season as the co-chair of the program. He has continued to volunteer his time at the Siloam Mission, which is a food shelter for the city’s homeless and disadvantaged people. He was instrumental in creating a new annual event called “The Challenge for Life” for CancerCare Manitoba that has increased awareness for all cancers while raising over $3 million to date after only three years ($1 million was raised in 2010). Hall served as the honourary chair during the inaugural Cancer Care Manitoba’s Challenge for Life Campaign plus also still fundraises and participates in the event every year.
 
“Thomas continues to be a person who does great things on and off the field,” said Manitoba head coach Brian Dobie. “He stepped up on the field as a new team captain this season and his leadership in the community is shown with new involvement such as Project Echo along with his many areas he has already assisted now and in the future.”
 
St. Francis Xavier slotback and education student Kwame Osei of Toronto, Montreal guard and administration student Guillaume Saliah of Paris, France, and Wilfrid Laurier receiver and business student Dillon Heap of Waterloo, Ont., were also nominated for the Russ Jackson Award.

ALL-CANADIANS

FIRST TEAM

Offence

Pos. - Athlete - University - Year - Hometown - Program

QB Brad Sinopoli Ottawa 4 Peterborough, Ont. Human Kinetics
RB Rotrand Sené Montreal 2 Montreal, Que. Administration
RB Adrian Charles Regina 5 Scarborough, Ont. Campion Arts
WR Simon Charbonneau Campeau Sherbrooke 3
St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. Engineering
WR Jade Etienne Saskatchewan 3 Deer Valley, Sask. Arts & Science
IR Matthew Bolduc Ottawa 5 Ottawa, Ont. Social Sciences
IR Alexandre Poirier Sherbrooke 5 Victoriaville, Que. Open Studies
C Justin Glover McMaster 5 Hamilton, Ont. Communication
T Matthew O'Donnell Queen's 4 Kingston, Ont. Health Studies
T Patrick Neufeld Saskatchewan 4 Regina, Sask. Arts & Science
G Matthew Norman Western 3 Montreal, Que. Social Sciences
G Ben Heenan Saskatchewan 3 Regina, Sask. Agriculture

Defence

DT Dan Schutte Saint Mary's 4 Red Deer, Alta. Arts
DT Sébastien Tétreault Ottawa 5 Granby, Que. Arts
DE Arnaud Gascon-Nadon Laval 2 Montreal, Que. Open Studies
DE David Ménard Montreal 1 Chicoutimi, Que. Arts & Sciences
LB Henoc Muamba StFX 4 Mississauga, Ont. Business Info Systems
LB Frédérick Plesius Laval 2 Laval, Que. Open Studies
CLB Giancarlo Rapanaro Laurier 5 Niagara Falls, Ont. Kinesiology / Phys. Ed.
FS Bryce McCall Saskatchewan 3 Regina, Sask. Business
HB Craig Butler Western 4 London, Ont. King's College
HB Maxime Bérubé Laval 5 Valleyfield, Que. Marketing (Masters)
CB Jamir Walker Regina 3 Regina, Sask. Campion Arts
CB Bradley Daye Mount Allison 5 Halifax, N.S. Sociology

Special Teams

P Christopher Milo Laval 4 Montreal, Que. Open Studies
K Aaron Ifield Calgary 5 Saskatoon, Sask. Arts
RET Raphaël Gagné Sherbrooke 1 St-Jeanne-d'Arc, Que. Open Studies

SECOND TEAM

Offence

QB Laurence Nixon Saskatchewan 5 Richmond, B.C. Arts & Science
RB Nick FitzGibbon Guelph 5 Puslinch, Ont. Sociology
RB Jerimy Hipperson Western 3 St. Catharines, Ont. Social Sciences
WR Cyril Adjeitey Ottawa 5 Ghana, Africa Biochemistry
WR Adam Molnar Mount Allison 4 Beamsville, Ont. Commerce
IR Liam Mahoney Concordia 4 Lachine, Que. History
IR Brenden Owens Regina 4 Regina, Sask. Engineering
C Nicholas Ternovatsky Alberta 4 St. Albert, Alta. Arts
T Paul Swiston Calgary 3 Calgary, Alta. Arts
T Anthony Barrette Concordia 4 Verdun, Que. English & History
G Simon Légaré Montreal 2 Montreal, Que. Arts & sciences
G Mike Filer Mount Allison 3 Brantford, Ont. Sociology

Defence

DT Benjamin Thompson McGill 4 Fredericton, N.B. Management
DT Serge Kaminsky UBC 3 Richmond, B.C. Applied Science
DE Alexander Robinson Western 2 Vancouver, B.C. Kinesiology
DE Adrian Saturley Acadia 5 Terence Bay, N.S. BBA
LB John Surla Western 4 Niagara Falls, Ont. Social Sciences
LB Filipe Fonseca Da Silva Sherbrooke 3 Montreal, Que. Open Studies
CLB Jeff Hecht Saint Mary's 3 Edmonton, Alta. Arts
FS Julien Hamel Montreal 5 Boucherville, Que. Physical Education
HB Mark Holden Saint Mary's 4 Halifax, N.S. Arts
HB Harrison Maloney Bishop's 3 Thurso, Que. Business
CB Olivier Turcotte-Létourneau Laval 4 Quebec City, Que. BBA
CB Chayce Elliot Ottawa 5 Burnaby, B.C. Sociology

Special Teams

P Darryl Wheeler Western 4 Hamilton, Ont. Health Sciences
K Matthew Falvo Ottawa 3 Welland, Ont. Social Sciences
RET Jahmeek Taylor Saint Mary's 3 Mississauga, Ont. Arts