Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawk Club
“Building Champions, Building Traditions” Volume 4, Issue 1 Message from Dr. Bob Rosehart Golden Hawk athletics has long been part of the proud heritage of Wilfrid Laurier U n i v e r s i t y. Whether you are participating as an athlete, a supporting student, alumnus or friend, your contribution to the success of our programs over the years has been much valued and appreciated. At Laurier, we believe that learning goes beyond the lecture hall and involvement in Golden Hawk athletics is a valuable leadership experience that serves our student athletes throughout their lifetime. A new spirit of enthusiasm and renewal in Golden Hawks athletics has evolved at Laurier and this could not have been done without your participation and support. We have invested in new fitness equipment, renewed physical facilities and have placed a considerable emphasis on the recruitment of exceptional coaches along with high quality student athletes with both outstanding academic and athletic credentials. The spirit of the new Hawk logo stands proud and tall and 2003/2004 promises to be an exciting season. We look forward to your participation. Golden Hawk Club Mission Statement “A means of providing Alumni and Friends of Wilfrid Laurier University with an opportunity to help build the best interuniversity athletics program in Canada.”
Summer 2003
A Hard-Fought Season At first glance, the 2002-2003 season wasn’t particularly kind to the Golden Hawks. Teams that soared in 2001-2002 -- the two-time Men’s soccer CIS champions and the CIS silver medalist women’s hockey team - were denied opportunities to reclaim their titles, while other teams records were somewhat disappointing in the wake of last year’s record-setting seasons. First glances, however, are often misleading, and this one certainly gives the wrong impression. While it is impossible to doubt that some of the traditional Golden Hawk performers had a rough season, many of Laurier’s champions continued to deliver impressive performances on the OUA stage. The men’s curling program entered the 2002-2003 season without its veteran leader, John Morris, and his renowned rink. Nevertheless, newcomers Chris Stackhouse, Brad Blackwell, Scott Hodgson, Rob Smith, Ian Wright and Mike Corby, arrived at the OUA playoffs with optimism. The first round of competition pit Stackhouse’s rink against the reigning champion Windsor Lancers, a contest that ended with Laurier clearly ahead 8-4. With a 9-4 victory in the second round against the Toronto Varsity Blues, Stackhouse’s rink was set to enter its second day of competition, and to face its cross-town rival from the University of Waterloo. With both teams undefeated, the morning draw between Laurier and Waterloo promised to be an excellent match-up. The score remained close, but by the end it was Stackhouse who managed to clutch the 3-2 victory. All that Jim Zwolak took the individual OUA golf championship with a three stroke lead.
The Men's Curling Team celebrates its victory at the OUA curling championships -- Laurier's first in five years.
remained between Stackhouse and an undefeated playoff record was the 5:00 pm draw against the Brock Badgers, then with a 1-3 record. There was no upset, and Stackhouse and his team seized the Championship with an impressive 5-0 performance, bringing Laurier’s first OUA curling championship in five years. A second OUA title was taken by the Golden Hawks’ veteran golfer, Jim Zwolak. He reached the championship golf tournament with an impressive season behind him, having finished in the top three in five of the season’s tournaments, including a first place finish in the Guelph Invitational, and was already firmly entrenched as a First Team All-Star. It would be an excellent tournament for the fourth year psychology student, ending with his three-stroke victory. Despite a mediocre first day, the competition brought a fourth place finish for the golf team as well. The Hawk golfers were off their game on the Championship’s opening day, shooting an unremarkable 315 and dropping to the bottom half of the 10-team field. On the second day, however, they rallied, and in shooting 303 gave the best single-day performance of the tournament. While not matching last year’s second place overall, the Hawks golf team had much to be proud of in their recovery.
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For more information please visit our website at
www.laurierathletics.com