Top 8 Academic All-Canadian recipients honoured at Rideau Hall
Elenor Henry (AUS, Mount Allison, soccer), Geoff Schemitsch, (AUS, Acadia, hockey), Gabrielle Lapointe (RSEQ, Laval, soccer), François Jarry (RSEQ, McGill, cross country/track & field), Cindy Nelles (OUA, McMaste, rugby), Colin Behenna (OUA, Waterloo, hockey), Rebecca Terejko (Canada West, UBC, swimming) and Chad Bush (Canada West, UBC, soccer) were honoured in Ottawa Tuesday as the Top Eight Academic All-Canadians for the 2015-16 season.
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presented the fourth Governor General’s Academic All-Canadian Commendation to the eight recipients, during a ceremony at Rideau Hall, his official residence.
“The number of Academic All-Canadians speaks volume about the quality of our student-athletes, but also our coaches, support staff and our universities,” said Graham Brown, chief executive officer of U Sports. “To be selected among 12,000 of their peers is an achievement these exceptional student-athletes should be extremely proud of. They represent the very best of what university sport is all about.”
Two of the eight honourees are Canadian Hockey League graduates including Colin Behenna and Geoffrey Schemitsch.
Name: Colin Behenna (Barrie Colts, 2008-12)
Hometown: Waterloo, Ont.
School: University of Waterloo
Faculty: Math
Program: Math & Business
Sport: Hockey
Eligibility in 2015-16: 4th year
Waterloo, Ont., native Colin Behenna was named OUA West MVP last season, and a second-team All-Canadian, after recording 44 points in 27 games – the third most in the county. In four season with the Warriors, Behenna racked up 150 points, ranking him third overall on the Warriors all-time scoring list.
Academically, studying Math and Business, Behenna was named to the President’s Academic Honour Roll, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
“Colin had a tremendous impact on the Warrior hockey program,” said Waterloo men’s hockey head coach Brian Borque. “From the first day he stepped on campus he led by example by being a great student, a motivated athlete, an excellent leader, and a great teammate.”
Name: Geoff Schemitsch (Owen Sound Attack/Oshawa Generals, 2009-13)
Hometown: Thornhill, Ont.
School: Acadia University
Faculty: Professional Studies
Program: Kinesiology
Sport: Hockey
Eligibility in 2015-16: 4th year
Raised in Thornhill, Ont., Geoff Schemitsch joined the Axemen for the 2013-2014 season, and made an immediate impact. Named to the AUS All-Rookie team in his first season, the blueliner helped Acadia win the 2014 AUS title before posting a career-best three goals and 22 points – good for fifth in the conference – en route to Second-Team All-Star honours this past season.
Studying Kinesiology, Schemitsch is a three-time Academic All-Canadian (2014-2016) and was named to the Dean’s List from 2013-2016. He has also received numerous academic awards since arriving studying at Acadia, including the Sully Ashfield and Barbara Bill Ashfield Award, the Acadia Sports Therapy Clinic Award, and the Kirton Scholarship. The 24-year-old is also prominent in the community, volunteering at various fundraisers, group activities and team functions with minor hockey players affiliated with Acadia University’s minor hockey program.
“Geoff is arguably one of the most committed, intelligent and hardest working individuals I have coached,” said Acadia men’s hockey head coach Darren Burns. “(He) is now a captain on our team and is doing exactly what I envisioned he would accomplish on our campus, in the local community and on the ice. I marvel at his accountability and responsibility in leading others.”
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