Travis Gibbons is Academic All-Canadian

OTTAWA (CIS) – The Canadian Interuniversity Sport student-athletes announced last month (Oct. 21) as Top Eight Academic All-Canadians for the 2012-2013 season were honoured in Ottawa, on Tuesday morning.

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presented the first Governor General’s Academic All-Canadian Commendation to the eight recipients, during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

Every year, a growing number of CIS student-athletes are recognized as Academic All-Canadians, having maintained an average of 80 per cent or better over the academic year while competing for one – or more – of their university’s varsity teams.

In 2012-2013, a record 2,695 students achieved the prestigious status, eclipsing the previous mark of 2,617 set a year ago.

Among these outstanding individuals, one female and one male student-athlete from each of the four CIS regional associations are selected annually to make up the Top Eight.

OHL graduate Travis Gibbons of Acadia University is the 2012-13 recipient representing Atlantic University Sport (AUS).  Originally selected by Guelph in the fifth round of the 2006 OHL Priority Selection, Gibbons played four full seasons in the league between the Storm and the Ottawa 67’s collecting 106 points in 240 career games.

“Our student-athletes continue to amaze us with their ability to achieve excellence on and off the playing field,” said CIS chief executive officer, Pierre Lafontaine. “The record number of Academic All-Canadians once again this year speaks volume about the quality of our students, but also our coaches, support staff and our universities. To be selected among 11,000 of their peers is an accomplishment members of the Top Eight should be extremely proud of.”

Name: Travis Gibbons
Hometown: London, Ont.
School: Acadia University
Faculty: Professional Studies
Program: Kinesiology
Sport: Hockey
Eligibility in 2012-13: 2nd year

Following a five-year OHL career with the Guelph Storm and the Ottawa 67’s, Travis Gibbons immediately made his way into the Acadia lineup, playing in 49 of 56 conference games over his first two university hockey campaigns. The intense defenceman chipped in three goals each season as he helped the Axemen to back-to-back playoff appearances.

In the classroom, Gibbons has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average in the first two years of his kinesiology degree. A two-time CIS Academic All-Canadian and member of the Dean’s List, he was Acadia’s most decorated male student-athlete in 2012-13.

The native of London, Ont., has also been involved in the community since his first day in Wolfville, N.S. The recipient of Acadia’s Randy Ferris Award for community service, he has volunteered with the Terry Fox Run, the S.M.I.L.E. program, Kinderskills and Acadia Minor Hockey, as well as Parkwood Hospital back home in London.

“Travis is an excellent ambassador for our hockey program. He is a role model for all student-athletes, not just on the Axemen hockey team but for Varsity Athletics here at Acadia,” says Acadia hockey coach Darren Burns. “He encompasses what a CIS student- athlete should be and he has set a very high bar here at our own institution.”

OHL ALL-TIME RECIPIENTS

2012-2013
Travis Gibbons, Acadia (Guelph Storm / Ottawa 67’s 2007-11)

2008-2009
Christopher Morrison, Saint Mary’s (Barrie Colts 2003-06)

2005-2006
Joel Scherban, Lakehead (London Knights 1996-2001)

2000-2001
Steve Gallace, Saint Mary’s (Owen Sound Platers / Toronto St. Michael’s Majors / Belleville Bulls 1995-98)

About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Every year, 11,000 student-athletes and 700 coaches from 55 universities and four regional associations vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships.

For further information, visit www.cis-sic.ca or follow us on:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CIS_SIC  
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cissports
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/universitysport