Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence – Montreal, November 30th 2016 – The Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence granted a total of $262,750 in individual bursaries to Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec – RSEQ student-athletes in 2016.

Of this amount, 86 bursaries, totalling $230,750 were distributed this evening during the 31st Quebec University Sport Gala presented by RDS in association with TKNL. An additional $32,000 was also distributed to 10 university student-athletes in other FAEQ bursary programs throughout 2016.

Winners from the following 11 categories were also announced for the 2015-2016 university season (results between May 1st 2015 and April 30th 2016):

The 11 University categories at the 31st Gala are:

1.         Student-Athlete of the Year – Academic Excellence – Female, presented by the Molson Foundation
2.         Student-Athlete of the Year – Academic Excellence – Male,
3.         Student-Athlete of the Year – Individual Sport – Female
4.         Student-Athlete of the Year – Individual Sport – Male
5.         Student-Athlete of the Year – Team Sport – Female, presented by the National Bank
6.         Student-Athlete of the Year – Team Sport – Male, presented by the Government of Quebec
7.         Women’s Team of the Year
8.         Men’s Team of the Year
9.         Coach of the Year – Women’s Team / Prix du Journal de Montréal
10.       Coach of the Year – Men’s Team / Prix du Journal de Montréal
11.       Student-Athlete of the Year – Leadership, presented by Gildan

In the Recruitment category, 45 bursaries totalling $147,000 were handed out to the best student-athletes graduating from Quebec CEGEPS who chose to compete in a Quebec university sport. Nine of these bursaries were of $8,000, and will be distributed over two years, $5,000 of which will come in the student-athlete’s first year.

 “We are extremely proud of what our bursary recipients continue to accomplish. They stand out not only by their superior athletic abilities, but also by their discipline, their resolve and their commitment to academics and athletics”, said Mr. Claude Chagnon, President of the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence. “These are values we share at the Foundation, and this is why we’ll continue to work to unite the business, sports and educational communities in order to promote the development of tomorrow’s leaders” .

More than 650 guests attended the event which took place at the Sheraton Laval Hotel and united bursary recipients, former recipients, sponsors, donors, partners, and members of Quebec sports community.

Winners from the 11 Categories of the 31st Quebec University Sport Gala

2015-2016 STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR / ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

This student-athlete award is granted on the basis of exceptional athletic and academic performances during the 2015-2016 school year. Merit is considered as follows: 60% weighting for academic results, 40% weighting for athletic performance.

Female – presented by the Molson Foundation:
Gabrielle Lapointe – Soccer – Laval University Rouge et Or
Named an RSEQ first team all-star as well as tournament all-star at the Canadian University Championships she completed 31 credits and maintained a GPA of 4.2 out of 4.3 in medicine.

Male:
Patrick Hanna –Track and Field – University of Montreal Carabins
Named RSEQ Rookie of the year, the medicine student was also awarded the Field performance of the Year award. He completed 24 credits and maintained a GPA of 3.97 out of 4.3.

2015-2016 STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR / INDIVIDUAL SPORT

This award honours a Student-Athlete’s exemplary individual performances during the 2015-2016 within the RSEQ.

Female:
Linda Morais – Lutte – Concordia University Stingers
Gold medalist at the CIS Canadian championships, she also won a gold medal at the Canadian senior championships and a silver medal at the Canadian Olympic trials. She is studying Leisure sciences.

Male:
Patrick Hanna – Track and Field – University of Montreal Carabins
Named RSEQ Rookie of the year, he also established a Canadian record for indoor long-jump. The medicine student earned the honour of CIS field performance of the year.

2015-2016 STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR / TEAM SPORT

This award honours a student-athlete’s exemplary athletic performances as part of a team during the 2015-2016 season within the RSEQ.

Female – presented by National Bank
Mélodie Daoust – Hockey – McGill University Martlets
Named an RSEQ and CIS All-star, she was named Player of the year in the RSEQ. Captain of Team Canada development team who brought home a gold medal at the Nations Cup, she is pursuing her studies in Physical Education

Male – presented by the Government of Quebec
Guillaume Asselin – Hockey- UQTR Patriotes
Named Player of the Year in the OUA and the CIS, he was the Québec finalist for the BLG award. He scored 27 goals and added 20 assists on his way to helping the team win a Queen’s Cup as the Ontario Champion. He is pursuing his studies in business management

 2015-2016 TEAM OF THE YEAR

Women’s Team:
University of Montreal Carabins Women’s Hockey Team
The Carabins won a third straight Québec championship and a second Canadian Championship in only their seventh season of existence. Six players were named to the RSEQ All-star team and three to the tournament All-star team at the Canadian Championships, including the Player of the tournament.

Men’s Team:
University of Montreal Carabins Men’s Soccer Team
The Carabins won a second consecutive Dunsmore and a Mitchell Cup, qualifying for their second consecutive Vanier Cup. Ten players were named to the RSEQ All-star team and three earned All-Canadian status including the RSEQ defensive Player of the Year.

 2015-2016 COACH OF THE YEAR / PRIX DU JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL

Women’s Team:
Isabelle Leclaire – Hockey – University of Montreal Carabins
Her team brought home a second Canadian championships and a third consecutive RSEQ championship. Their gold medal is their 5th medal in as many years at the Canadian championships, the longest active sequence in the country.

Men’s Team:
Christophe Dutarte – Soccer – UQAM Citadins
The Citadins finished the regular season with a 10-1-1 record bringing home his 2nd consecutive provincial championship. Coach Dutarte earned his second consecutive RSEQ Coach of the Year award and his first ever CIS Coach of the Year award.

STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR / 2015-2016 GILDAN LEADERSHIP AWARD

This student-athlete award is granted on the basis of community involvement and leadership abilities.

Charles-David Beaudoin – Hockey – UQTR Patriotes
Initiator of the project “Guerrier du match”, the goal being to provide the opportunity for sick children to attend a hockey game. Amongst his many implications, Charles-David is also involved as a volunteer coach in his region. He pursues his studies in business administration and maintains an average of 3.96 out of 4.3.

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About the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence: UNITED FOR SUCCESS
The Foundation is unique thanks to its personal approach, diligent management, and influential role in the realm of sport and education. With a new five-year plan from 2015 to 2020, the Foundation’s primary goal is to increase by 35% the annual amount in bursary funds, and the annual number of bursary recipients. This year, 1,2 million dollars will be distributed to more than 450 student-athletes. The Foundation’s bursaries reward: academic excellence, encourage the balancing of high performance sport and academics, highlight leadership, recognize perseverance, and foster university recruitment. The FAEQ is moved to action by a genuine desire to unite with former bursary recipients and sponsors for the success of current bursary recipients, thereby making a difference in their academic, athletic, and/or personal development. Visit the Foundation’s web site at faeq.com and “Like” its Facebook page at: FAEQ – Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence du Québec.

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Information:

Helene Pomares
Communications Assistant
Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence
514.688.4980
helene.pomares@faeq.com