Fanshawe Falcons Celebrate the Year in Athletics

On Friday, April 17, 2009, Fanshawe College held its 42nd annual athletics banquet to celebrate the past year's accomplishments and hand out individual awards, both athletic and academic, to our student athletes.

Awards included the Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Les Zoltai Award, Jim Matchett Memorial Award, London Pacers Awards, team Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honours.

Becky Pieterson (in photo at right) was named Female Athlete of the Year. A native of London and Regina Mundi graduate, Becky was a stand-out rookie runner on the women's cross country team helping the team win an overall gold medal at the OCAA championships while bringing home an individual bronze medal as well. She had a great run at the national championship bringing home a fourth place finish; this led the Falcon women to an overall gold medal. This marks the first time an Ontario women's cross country team has won the national championship. Becky was named to the All-Canadian Tournament Team, and was a member of the silver medal-winning Conference Team.

The 2008-09 Male Athlete of the Year is Matt Syzdlowski (in photo, above). Matt, a John Paul II grad, is now completing the second level of the Business and Human Resources program here at Fanshawe College and has been an integral part of the Falcon men's indoor and outdoor soccer teams. The London native was team captain of the outdoor men's soccer team during the 2008-09 season, the leading scorer, OCAA West Region All-Star and was also named Most Valuable Player. Matt earned a 4.03 grade point average this year and, as a result of his hard work in the classroom, he was a recipient of the OCAA All Academic Award.

The Les Zoltai Award is given out to an athlete that exemplifies not just athletic achievement but who participates in intercollegiate, Student Union, and campus recreation activities. This year's winner, Jabari Cooper, is a third-year business student, was co-captain of the men's basketball team and a second team all-star. He will also lead the campus next year as the 2009-2010 Fanshawe Student Union President. A London native and Beal graduate, one of the many ways Jabari gives back to the community is by mentoring high school students.

Other highlights from this year include a national championship in women's cross country, national bronze for men's cross country, a trip to the nationals for mixed doubles in badminton, provincial silver for women's indoor soccer and provincial bronze for women's basketball.

Please click here for a complete list of award-winners (PDF*).