Awards News

U SPORTS basketball graduates Nancy Knowlton of the Bishop’s Gaiters and George Lengvari Jr., who played for both the Concordia Stingers and McGill Redbirds, have been named the winners of the inaugural Mitchell Family Alumni of the Year Awards Presented by Makadiff Sports.

The winners were announced Thursday afternoon during a virtual awards show broadcast on the U SPORTS digital channels.

The new award honours the long-time champions of the U SPORTS Athlete of the Year ProgramThe Honourable Lois and Doug Mitchell, and celebrates former varsity athletes who have become leaders in their communities and recognizes the continued contributions by each alumnus to their alma mater.

“We are proud of all the nominees for the inaugural year of this award. They exemplify what we set out to achieve with the idea of igniting a spirit of giving back. Now more than ever, this last year has taught us to realize the importance of creating a legacy and the difference we can make together. We offer our sincere congratulations to all the nominees, and to George and Nancy as the first Alumni of the Year recipients.”

The Honourable Lois and Doug Mitchell

Knowlton and Lengvari Jr. were selected by the Canadian Athletic Foundation – a not-for-profit Board of Trustees from across Canada, formed by Chairman Doug Mitchell in 1993, for the purpose of providing more recognition for Canadian university student-athletes.

Along with the opportunity to donate a leadership training session provided by Blueprint for a group of deserving students at the institution of their choice, the winners will each receive a Jim Thompson Trophy – named in honour of the former President of TSN, and member of the Board of Trustees from its inception until his passing in 2002.

Jim_Thompson.jpg (93 KB)
Credit: Ryerson RTA School of Media

Formerly the namesake of the Female of the Athlete of the Year Trophy, Thompson was responsible for bringing the awards to television. He was not only a strong supporter of the awards but a firm believer in the value of athletics at Canadian universities and of amateur sports.

“On behalf of the entire membership, I want to congratulate George, Nancy, and the rest of the finalists of our first Alumni of the Year Awards. We are honoured to watch you represent your academic and athletic programs in such a meaningful manner and look forward to your continued community leadership as you inspire the next generation.”

Dick White - U SPORTS Interim CEO

2021 U SPORTS Mitchell Family Alumni of the Year Awards (Jim Thompson Trophies)

U SPORTS Female Alumni of the Year

Nancy-Knowlton.png (2.20 MB)

nancy knowlton
Bishop's Gaiters
Basketball
Knowlton, Que.
Business Administration '75
Chartered Accountant '82

Nominees

  • Erica McGuinness, basketball, UBC
  • Lee Anna Osei, basketball, Laurier
  • Nancy Knowlton, basketball, Bishop’s (Winner)
  • Cathy Campbell, track and field, Dalhousie

U SPORT Male Alumni of the Year

George-Lengvari-Jr.png (3.20 MB)

George lengvari jr.
Concordia Stingers / McGill Redbirds
Basketball
Montreal, Que.
Loyala (Concordia) Economics '63
McGill Law '66

Nominees

  • Israel Idonije, football, Manitoba
  • Stuart & Kim Lang, football, Queen’s
  • George Lengvari Jr., basketball, Concordia / McGill (Winner)
  • Shaquille Smith, basketball, Acadia