GENERAL INFO Welcome back to another exciting season of OUA football at York University! This is a very special year as we are celebrating the 50th season of York football in 2017. First established in 1968 by Grey Cup-winning quarterback Nobby Wirkowski, who was also the program’s first head coach, York’s football program has produced a number of great stories over the years and Team 50 is poised to be the best yet. Under head coach Warren Craney, the Lions continue to add tremendous talent to the roster and the coaching staff has put together another stellar class. Their addition, plus the return of some of the best offensive talent this program has ever seen, has the squad poised to make a splash in the OUA this season. Coach Craney also made significant changes to his coaching staff in the off-season and I welcome defensive coordinator Sammy Okpro and special teams coordinator Jesse Alexander to our Lions family. Both of them had remarkable U SPORTS playing careers at Concordia and Laurier, respectively, and I am looking forward to seeing what they can now do on the sidelines. The highlight of our home schedule will come in Week 5 when we welcome the Toronto Varsity Blues to York for the 48th annual Red & Blue Bowl. This year, the contest will also be part of our annual Homecoming weekend and, as part of the festivities, we will be welcoming former head coach Frank Cosentino and running back Jeff Johnson to our York Sport Hall of Fame. Cosentino has the highest winning percentage among all football head coaches at York and Johnson is our program’s all-time leading rusher, and we are thrilled to induct two outstanding individuals as part of our class this season. We have a new leader of our Champions Club alumni group this season in Shawn Stone, and I want to thank him for everything he has already done for our program. We had a terrific kick-off event in the spring and it was fantastic to see so many former players come back for it. An engaged alumni group is an important piece to growing a successful football program and I encourage you to get involved in supporting our current Lions. On behalf of the student-athletes, coaches and staff, I would like to thank the fans who continue to support our many programs, and welcome new spectators to the exciting game of varsity football. The atmosphere generated at home games goes a long way in helping our team perform to the best of their abilities on the gridiron. You can connect with the Lions online at yorkulions.ca, as well as on our social media platforms, to stay up-to-date with all your favourite teams throughout the year. All the best to Coach Craney, his staff and the student-athletes for a successful 2017 season
Jennifer Myers Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation
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QUICK FACTS Name: York University Location: Toronto, Ontario Founded: 1959 Enrolment: 55,000 Nickname: Lions Colours: Red & White Field: York Stadium Capacity: 5,000 Conference: Ontario University Athletics (OUA) President & Vice Chancellor: Dr. Rhonda Lenton ADMINISTRATION Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation: Jennifer Myers Director, Business Development & Operations: Duke Dickson Associate Director, Athletics: Gillian McCullough Manager, Varsity Athletics: Bart Zemanek Manager, Facilities Administration: Meagan Heath Manager, Marketing & Communications: Tricia Wyles Senior Development Officer, Athletics: Rahim Dharamsi SUPPORT STAFF Coordinator, Equipment Services: Geoff Carson Equipment Services & Stadium Attendant: Nathaniel Griffith Coordinator, Athlete Services: Katie Robinson Administrative Coordinator: Lillian Chan Coordinator, Sport Information: Alyson Fisher Coordinator, Promotion & Game Day Experience: Kim Servinis Coordinator, Game Day Operations: Michael Bianchi Digital Media Assistant: Mike Dahiroc Coordinator, Facility Operations: Manny Troitino Strength & Conditioning Coach: Adam Douglas MEDICAL STAFF Manager, Sport Injury Clinic: Tracy Meloche Supervisor, Sport Injury Clinic: James Gardiner Supervisor, Outdoor Sports: Brittney Enright-Blount Certified Athletic Therapist, Clinic Assistant: Jo Hurtubise Orthopedic Surgeons: Dr. Rick Zarnett, Dr. Jacqueline Auguste Team Dentist: Dr. Paul Piccininni Sport Medicine Physicians: Dr. Hemen Shukla, Dr. Laura Cruz, Dr. John Ho Neurosurgeon: Dr. Karen Johnston Radiologist: Dr. Anthony Mascia Cardiologist: Dr. Yuri Frenklah Psychiatrist: Dr. Saul Marks Orthopedic Manual Physiotherapist: Michael Boni Registered Massage Therapist: Darren Wharrie Sport Chiropractor: Dr. Scott Howitt Osteopath: Angela Greco Certified Athletic Therapists: Marcia Franklin, Kevin Montgomery Pedorthist: Annette McClelland Mental Health: Debbie Wilkes Athletic Therapy Program Coordinator: Loriann Hynes Research Consultants: Alison Macpherson, Lauren Sergio, Mazrah Fallah CONTACT INFORMATION York University Athletics & Recreation Tait McKenzie Centre 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 416-736-5185 taitmck@yorku.ca
YORK LIONS
2017 SCHEDULE PRESEASON vs. SHERBROOKE VERT ET OR
WEEK 6 vs. McMASTER MARAUDERS
Friday, Aug. 18, 1:00 PM at Alumni Field, Toronto, Ont.
Saturday, Sept. 30, 1:00 PM at Ron Joyce Stadium, Hamilton, Ont.
Head coach: Mathieu Lecompte (1st season) Colours: Green, Gold Home field: Stade de l’UdeS (3,350) 2016 result: York 3 at Sherbrooke 44 2016 record: 3-53 (5th RSEQ)
HOME OPENER WEEK 1 vs. WESTERN MUSTANGS Sunday, Aug. 27, 1:00 PM at Alumni Field, Toronto, Ont.
Head coach: Greg Knox (2nd season) Colours: Maroon, Grey Home field: Ron Joyce Stadium (6,500) 2016 result: McMaster 64 at York 2 2016 record: 6-2 (3rd OUA, Semifinalist)
GRAD GAME
WEEK 7 vs. LAURIER GOLDEN HAWKS Thursday, Oct. 5, 7:00 PM at Alumni Field, Toronto, Ont.
Head coach: Greg Marshall (10th season) Colours: Purple, White Home field: TD Stadium (10,000) 2016 result: Did not play 2016 record: 7-1 (1st OUA, Yates Cup finalist)
Head coach: Michael Faulds (5th season) Colours: Purple, Gold Home field: University Stadium (6,000) 2016 result: York 3 at Laurier 74 2016 record: 7-1 (2nd OUA, Yates Cup champions)
WEEK 2 vs. WATERLOO WARRIORS
WEEK 8 vs. QUEEN’S GAELS
Monday, Sept. 4, 1:00 PM at University Stadium, Waterloo, Ont.
Saturday, Oct. 14, 1:00 PM at Richardson Stadium, Kingston, Ont.
Head coach: Chris Bertoia (3rd season) Colours: Black, Gold Home field: Warrior Field (5,400) 2016 result: Waterloo 13 at York 52 2016 record: 0-8 (11th OUA)
Head coach: Pat Sheahan (17th season) Colours: Blue, Red, Gold Home field: Richardson Stadium (10,258) 2016 result: Did not play 2016 record: 3-5 (7th OUA)
FROSH FEST
WEEK 9 vs. WINDSOR LANCERS
WEEK 3 vs. OTTAWA GEE-GEES Saturday, Sept. 9, 1:00 PM at Alumni Field, Toronto, Ont. Head coach: Jamie Barresi (5th season) Colours: Garnet, Grey Home field: Gee-Gees Field (3,400) 2016 result: York 20 at Ottawa 54 2016 record: 6-2 (5th OUA, Quarterfinalist
Saturday, Oct. 21, 1:00 PM at Alumni Field, Windsor, Ont. Head coach: Joe D’Amore (7th season) Colours: Blue, Gold Home field: Alumni Field (10,000) 2016 result: Windsor 32 at York 56 2016 record: 2-6 (10th OUA)
WEEK 4 - BYE
48TH RED AND BLUE BOWL & HOMECOMING WEEK 5 vs. TORONTO VARSITY BLUES Saturday, Sept. 23, 1:00 PM at Alumni Field, Toronto, Ont. Head coach: Greg Gary (7th season) Colours: Blue, White Home field: Varsity Stadium (5,000) 2016 result: York 18 at Toronto 45 2016 record: 2-6 (8th OUA)
2017 FOOTBALL
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FOOTBALL 2016
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YORK LIONS
SEASON OUTLOOK Prior to each of the last two seasons, head coach Warren Craney has said that the team he’s assembled is his best one yet at York, and the 2017 version of the Lions is no different. Thanks to tremendous growth from his stellar 2015 recruiting class and another strong crop off rookies, Craney believes this year’s squad tops the others and will prove it on the field. “Our expectations are very high this year,” he said. “We are an extremely talented, skilled football team and we are ready to challenge for a playoff spot. We expect our offence to expand on its performance from last year and the defence to make drastic improvements.” After a disappointing finish to last season, the squad got to work immediately to get better in preparation for this year. While the coaches were out recruiting a third straight impressive class, new strength and conditioning coach Kamau Peterson, who was also named the offensive coordinator, established a program that was unlike any other. “All of our efforts went into speed and power training,” said Craney about the program. “We ran and lifted more than anyone else in the OUA, I can guarantee that. We pushed our players to the limit and they completely bought in. The outcome has been remarkable: we are still a young football team but we are stronger and faster than we ever have been and it shows.” The strength of last year’s squad was the offence and this year should be no different. The Lions are fortunate to have third-year quarterback Brett Hunchak under centre. In just two seasons he has already proven to be one of the best at his position in the OUA after finishing among the top five in passing yards and touchdowns. After a second straight summer at a CFL training camp – this year with Edmonton after spending time last year in Calgary – he is poised for an even bigger campaign. He will have no shortage of offensive weapons at his disposal. His younger brother Colton Hunchak was an OUA all-star as a sophomore after finishing third in the conference in receiving touchdowns, sixth in total receptions and seventh in receiving yards, while veteran Adam Adeboboye had a breakout campaign to rank in the top 10 in catches and yards. The receiving corps also includes Alex Daley, whose prowess in the return game put him fourth in the OUA in all-purpose yards, and incoming freshman Luther Hakunavanhu, another player from Western Canada who’s already turning heads. In the backfield, 2015 OUA rookie of the year Jesse Amankwaa is healthy again after missing most of last season with an injury, and Kayden Johnson, a dual-sport athlete who won an OUA silver medal in the heptathlon last season, was fifth in
the conference in yards per rush while taking over the starting role. They will play behind a rebuilt offensive line that has many new faces but projects to not miss a beat from last year. “The unit is built around Ryan Farr, who has been injured for most of the last two seasons but is finally healthy now and has looked like a beast in training camp. We were fortunate to have seniors Chris Smith and Anthony DiNardo return and the two of them have done a lot in the last six months to get bigger, stronger and more athletic. And then we added Aarmin Purewal and Lane Raposo, who are step-in players and legitimate CFL prospects, and we are beyond excited to have them here. We also have rookies James Duffey Jr. and Chavaughn Barrett, who are everything we expected of them so far, and a bunch of other young kids to develop. We feel like we are in great shape at this position.” The Lions’ defence remains a work in progress and will have a new leader in defensive coordinator Sammy Okpro. He has plenty of talent to work with across all the positions. The secondary will benefit from the return of Jacob Janke, who went down in the opener last year and missed the rest of the season. Fellow defensive back Ian Lawrence is coming off an East West Bowl appearance and a career year in which he ranked sixth on the team in tackles, and newcomer Desi Dixon brings an abundance of experience from his high school playing days in his hometown of San Diego. The defensive line features two reigning OUA all-rookie team members in Rossini Sandjong-Djabome and Skye King, as well as fourth-year veteran Matthew Skoko. Skoko started his Lions career as a walk-on but has become a fearsome defensive end who recorded a pair of sacks in the East West Bowl earlier this year. Behind them, the linebackers lost more to graduation than any other group but the unit has a handful of players ready to step in right away. The leader is Andrew Smith, who was third in team tackles in his first year last season, and the group also includes Damian Jamieson and Alexei Brazeau, as well as rookie Philippe Girouard, a local product from Newmarket and the York Region Lions. Craney has been touting his team’s progress in recent years and the squad has responded in kind. The next step is the playoffs and he has no doubt his team is ready to battle for a spot. “We have the talent in place at all position groups. Now we need to compete, and we need to face adversity head on and not give up when things get tough. If we can do those things, this is a team that can contend.”
We are an extremely talented, skilled football team and we are ready to challenge for a playoff spot. WARREN CRANEY - HEAD COACH
2017 FOOTBALL
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LIONS GEAR
TICKETS
SUPPORT YOUR LIONS! For your Official York Lions merchandise, visit the Pride Shop, located in the lobby of the Tait McKenzie Centre. Check out our exciting and new 2017-18 selection.
YORK STUDENTS FREE With the presentation of a valid YU-card at the door for all regular-season home games. Adults $10.50 Alumni/York Staff $7.50 Seniors (over 55) $7.50 Non-York Students $7.50 Youth (under 13) Free Family Pass $40.00 Prices include taxes and $0.50 service fee. Group rates available for 10 or more paying guests. Email carusso@yorku.ca for details.
yorkulions.ca/tickets
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WARREN CRANEY HEAD COACH
WCRANEY@YORKU.CA @YULIONSFOOTBALL Warren Craney joined the Lions football team as head coach in 2010 and is the ninth coach in program history. Craney has made a name for himself on the international scene and has been on the Team Canada coaching staff since 2009. As head coach he led the junior national team to the gold medal at the 2016 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) U19 world championships in Harbin, China, with a dominant 24-6 victory over the United States in the final. The event marked the second-straight time he was the head coach of the junior national team as he also guided the squad to a silver-medal finish in 2014 in Kuwait. His other stints with the U19 team included serving as the defensive coordinator in 2012 and 2009, winning gold and silver medals, respectively, at the world championships, and coaching at seven straight International Bowls in Texas (2010-16). He has been a part of the coaching staff for seven consecutive East West Bowls (2009-15).
Under his guidance on defence, Craney’s student-athletes won four Presidents’ Trophies, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player, and one J.P. Metras Trophy as the top down lineman in the CIS. One of those Presidents’ Trophies winners was Cory Greenwood, who went on to play in the National Football League (NFL) with the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions and is now a starting linebacker with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL). In addition, 13 first-team all-Canadian awards were given to defensive players under his direction. A native of Montreal, Craney joined Concordia’s coaching staff after a three-year stint as the defensive coordinator at Vanier College. Throughout his coaching career, which has spanned nearly two decades, he has also served as a guest coach at the University of Michigan Football School and University of Nebraska in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and with several teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Craney and his wife, Cara, are the proud parents of five children. Their eldest daughter, Madison, is a member of the synchronized swimming team at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio and their son, Noah, is a quarterback with the Vanier College Cheetahs in Montreal, while back home Kennedy is a first-year student at York, Ethan is in eighth grade and Quinn is in grade one.
Craney came to York from Concordia University, where he spent seven seasons as the defensive coordinator and three before that as the defensive line coach. While there, the Stingers were a perennial top 10 team and the defence was at or near the top of all statistical categories in Quebec and Canada.
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ASSISTANT COACHES SAMMY OKPRO DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Sammy Okpro was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Lions in 2017 and, in his new role, is reunited with head coach Warren Craney, under whom he played for four years at Concordia University. Okpro comes to York from the Edmonton Huskies in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL), where he was the defensive coordinator since 2015 and, before that, spent two seasons as the defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Huskies had the No. 1-ranked defence in the CJFL in 2016 as the team went from 1-7 to 5-3 in one year. He had a tremendous playing career with the Stingers. In his four seasons he was a three-time U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian and earned RSEQ all-star honours three times (2005-07). He was also the team MVP in his final season, and following that he was selected in the fourth round (25th overall) by the Edmonton Eskimos in the 2008 Canadian Football League (CFL) entry draft. He also represented Canada three times, including winning the silver medal at the 2011 IFAF senior world championships in Austria, where he was named to the first tournament allstar team and earned MVP honours in the gold medal game.
KAMAU PETERSON OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Kamau Peterson took over as the offensive coordinator in 2017 after serving as the associate offensive coordinator and receivers coach for the Lions since 2014, and before that was a guest coach in 2012 and 2013. He is also the team’s strength and conditioning coach. In addition to his role with the Lions, Peterson was part of the Team Canada coaching staff for three years as the receivers coach for the junior national team, winning the gold medal at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) U19 world championships in 2012 and a silver in 2014. Prior to becoming a coach, Peterson had a lengthy playing career of his own. A sixth overall pick of the Calgary Stampeders in the 2001 Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft, he played receiver for four teams over nine seasons in the league. He twice recorded 1,000+ receiving yards in his career and in 2008 was named a CFL West all-star and earned the most outstanding Canadian award while with the Edmonton Eskimos. He won the 89th Grey Cup in 2001 as a rookie with the Stampeders, and also played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Prior to beginning his professional playing career, Peterson was a multi-sport athlete in the NCAA with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats.
JESSE ALEXANDER SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR Jesse Alexander joined the Lions coaching staff in 2017 as the team’s special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. He comes to York with 10 years of coaching experience in U SPORTS with the Laurier Golden Hawks. While there he worked mostly with the linebackers while also assisting on special teams and with the defence. This past season he won his first Yates Cup as a coach with the champion Golden Hawks. Prior to becoming a coach, Alexander had a tremendous playing career with the Golden Hawks. He dressed in 52 consecutive games at linebacker and helped Laurier win back-to-back Yates Cups in 2004 and 2005, as well as the
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Vanier Cup in 2005. He was a two-time OUA all-star and CIS all-Canadian (2004, 2006) and was also honoured as the OUA’s defensive player of the year in 2006. He was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the 39th overall pick in the 2005 Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft. In 2011 he was named to Laurier’s Team of the Century as one of the top 33 players in program history, and that same year he was inducted into the institution’s Hall of Fame. In addition to his coaching experience with the Golden Hawks, Alexander has spent time in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL), most recently as the defensive coordinator for the Cambridge Lions for three seasons (2013-15).
YORK LIONS
TOM NORWELL
ZAK COLANGELO
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH / DEFENSIVE LINE
RECRUITING COORDINATOR / DEFENSIVE BACKS
Tom Norwell has been the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for the York football program since 2010. In 2015 he was the recipient of the Gino Fracas Award as CIS assistant coach of the year and was also named the OUA volunteer coach of the year. Norwell worked with Team Ontario for two years, serving as the defensive line coach in 2011 and the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach in 2012. Prior to joining the coaching staff at York, he spent 10 years as the defensive coordinator at Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School in Aurora, Ont., and has also worked as a guest coach with Concordia University and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Zak Colangelo joined the Lions coaching staff in 2014 as a defensive assistant after a playing career as a linebacker with the Saint Mary’s Huskies. He works primarily with the defensive backs and is now also the team’s recruiting coordinator. He is also the defensive coordinator of the York Region Lions in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). Colangelo has plenty of additional coaching experience with local teams, including as the defensive coordinator for the Halton Cowboys varsity team in 2014. He also served as Halton’s junior varsity head coach in 2013. Prior to coaching the Cowboys, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Loyola Hawks for three seasons (2010-14), helping the junior team win a championship in 2011.
Norwell played linebacker at John Abbott College in Montreal and won the Bol d’Or in 1977. He went on to play as a linebacker with the Calgary Colts in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).
STEFANO CONTE
MIKE DANISCHEWSKY
DEFENSIVE LINE
OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT
Stefano Conte was added to the Lions coaching staff in 2016 to work with the defensive line. He comes to York from Western University, where he spent five seasons playing for the team and was part of its Yates Cup championship in 2013.
Mike Danischewsky was added to the Lions coaching staff in 2017 as an offensive assistant, rejoining a squad he previously coached with from 200103, when he worked with the receivers. He also spent two seasons with the Toronto Varsity Blues in 2012-13.
While living in London, Ont., he coached the defensive line for the London Jr. Mustangs junior varsity squad for three seasons and helped them win the 2014 OVFL championship. He was also the senior defensive line coach at Catholic Central H.S. Prior to heading off to university, he starred for the football team at St. Edmund Campion S.S. in Brampton, Ont., earning defensive lineman of the year and most valuable player awards in his final season and winning the 2011 ROPSSA championship in 2011.
Danischewsky has plenty of coaching experience at many different levels. He’s worked in the CFL with Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg as a guest coach in training camp and on game day, and served as a quarterbacks and receivers coach at Lawrence Park C.I. over two different stints. He spent 10 seasons in the OVFL with the Metro Toronto Wildcats as the offensive coordinator, as well as the head coach for the last three. He also spent seven years working at the National Football League.
2017 FOOTBALL
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NATHANIEL GRIFFITH
MARCELLO LIO
OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT
QUARTERBACKS
Nathaniel “Shake” Griffith returned to the Lions coaching staff in 2016 as an offensive assistant after previously serving in the same role in 2014. He is also the offensive coordinator with the York Region Lions in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL).
Marcello Lio has been the quarterbacks coach for the Lions since 2015, returning to the program where he was a quarterback for five seasons and currently ranks seventh all-time in career passing yards. He also spent one season as the offensive coordinator in 1998.
He spent three seasons with the Lions as a receiver (201012) and was also a team captain. Prior to coming to York he played for the Brampton Bulldogs in the OVFL and at Vanier College in Montreal. He also served as a receivers coach for the Bulldogs for two seasons.
After graduating from York with a degree in kinesiology and health science, he played four years in Germany and Italy and in his last stop in Bergamo, quarterbacked the Lions to both Italian and European championships.
Griffith is also the full-time equipment services and stadium Lio is now head of the Health and Physical Education attendant in York University’s Athletics & Recreation Department and the head football coach at Villanova department. College in King City, Ont., a role he has held since 2002. In 2006, he took a sabbatical from Villanova to serve as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Bergamo, winning the Italian league championship. He was the quarterbacks coach for the Canadian junior national team that won the silver medal at the 2014 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) U19 world championships in Kuwait. He also runs multiple quarterback development camps throughout the GTA.
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YORK LIONS YORK LIONS
JORDYN MOORE OFFENSIVE LINE Jordyn Moore returns to the Lions in 2017 as an assistant coach working with the offensive line, one year after finishing his career with the program. In five years with the Lions (2011-15), he appeared in all but one regularseason game on the offensive line and blossomed into one of the team captains. He participated in the 2014 East West Bowl, was a recipient of the Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year Award in 2013 and the Jeff Johnson Rookie of the Year Award in 2011. He capped his career by being honoured with the York Lions Warrior Award.
AARON WOLSKI
VIDEO COORDINATOR Aaron Wolski joined the York coaching staff as the video coordinator in 2016. He is a former varsity athlete himself, playing one season at linebacker for the Western Mustangs before an accident ended his playing career. He began coaching with the Ottawa East Generals in 2009 and was their linebackers coach, and since then he has served as the defensive line coach for the St. Maximillian Kolbe Mustangs varsity team and in a variety of roles with the OVFL’s York Region Lions. He was also the defensive line coach for the ACG all-star game showcase in 2014.
ROY VENIER KICKERS
GARFIELD NELSON
Roy Venier joined the Lions coaching staff in 2013, returning to the program where he spent four seasons as a player.
RUNNING BACKS Garfield Nelson joined the Lions coaching staff in 2014. He has also worked with the Etobicoke Eagles in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and with Chaminade College School, helping the Gryphons win TDCAA senior championships in 2008 and 2010. He played two seasons at Butte College, winning a conference championship in 2000 and earning second-team all-conference honours twice. He is also the director and head recruiter for Off the Block Football, an organization dedicated to assisting student-athletes in gaining national and international exposure in football.
He remains one of the top kickers in York football history. He led the team in scoring in each of his four seasons and was a secondteam OUA all-star in 2001. He holds the York record for the longest field goal (53 yards) and is tied for the most field goals made in a game (5-for-5). He is also the program’s all-time points leader, with 218. Venier has spent time at the Ray Guy Kicking Academy, developing both kicking and coaching skills, and he is an active kicking coaching within Toronto.
VINCE HAMILTON DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT
NICK SAPONE LINEBACKERS Nick Sapone joined the Lions coaching staff in 2017 to begin his coaching career by working with the linebackers. He is reunited at York with Jesse Alexander, who was his position coach at Wilfrid Laurier University. Sapone spent four seasons with the Golden Hawks (200912), playing in 36 straight games at linebacker and recording more than 100 tackles in his career. Prior to heading to Waterloo, Ont., he played at Vanier College in Montreal and won back-to-back Bol d’Or championships in 2006 and 2007.
2017 FOOTBALL
SUPPORT STAFF MARTINA ALAIMO STUDY HALL COORDINATOR BRITTNEY ENRIGHT-BLOUNT HEAD ATHLETIC THERAPIST VALERIE CHUONG HEAD STUDENT THERAPIST MAKSYM FEDAK ASSISSTANT STUDENT THERAPIST ANGELA KOUADIO ASSISTANT STUDENT THERAPIST BILLY NGUYEN ASSISTANT STUDENT THERAPIST GIANLUCA PERFETTI ASSISTANT STUDENT THERAPIST ELIZABETH SUNG ASSISTANT STUDENT THERAPIST LAURA CLINTON ASSISTANT THERAPIST 11
PLAYER PROFILE ADAM ADEBOBOYE The York Lions had a breakout season on offence in 2016 and perhaps no one was a bigger surprise on that unit than veteran receiver Adam Adeboboye. The diminutive pass-catcher – he stands just 5-foot8 – set new career highs in every major statistical category and asserted himself as one of the best in the OUA. He finished the season ranked seventh in total receptions (41) and 10th in receiving yards (553), numbers that were better than his previous three seasons combined. He also recorded the first two touchdowns of his career, including a 66-yard score in a win over Windsor as part of an 11-catch, 216-yard performance.
“York gave me the opportunity to play football while I earned by degree. Not a lot of other schools were interested in me because of my size. I’m so happy I came here, I’ve enjoyed every moment and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” He has come a long way since first joining the Lions in 2012 from Northern S.S., and he now has one more season to prove once again what he is capable of. He will graduate with his degree in kinesiology and health science in the spring and, for now, is focused on seeing where his football career will take him before deciding what he wants to do professionally. Adeboboye has risen above expectations many times throughout his football career and it would surprise no one to see him back in action with a CFL team next season when his playing days at York are done.
Known as “Bobo” to his teammates and coaches, Adeboboye makes up for his lack of size with his heart and work ethic, and he was awarded the team’s prestigious Tom Arnott Yeoman of the Year Award for Hard Work and Character at the conclusion of the season. “My parents always wanted our family to work hard,” he says about what he’s best known for. “My work ethic is something they instilled in me and it has carried me a long way. I was happy with how last year went, it was more of a relief to finally see myself come to that level. I knew I had it in me and it felt really good to be able to show it to everyone else.” His breakout campaign turned heads in the professional ranks. He earned an invite to the CFL’s Ontario regional combine, where his numbers were impressive enough for him to be one of five participants selected to for the national showcase in Regina. The draft did not go as he’d hoped, but he is using that as motivation for this year and beyond. “I want to build on what I accomplished last year. I’m focusing on each game as it comes and taking things day-by-day and making sure I’m the best I can be on the field so that if there’s an opportunity for a team to pick me up, I am giving them no chance to say no. I want to show everyone I can be successful at the next level.” It’s not the first time Adeboboye’s size has limited his opportunities. He picked up the sport in high school at the encouragement of his father, who thought it would be a great place to make friends at a new school, and used his natural athletic ability and speed to shine on the gridiron. But he was off the radar of most U SPORTS institutions and chose to stay close to home and come to York.
12
GETTING TO KNOW
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD? I eat a lot of candy! Sour candy is the best. IF YOU WEREN’T PLAYING FOOTBALL, WHAT SPORT WOULD YOU PLAY? I would say basketball but I don’t have the size for that! So I’d probably run track. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE NFL TEAM? Minnesota Vikings WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER OF ALL-TIME? Chad Ochocinco because he’s such an entertainer and he plays with a lot of passion. PRE-GAME ROUTINE? I like to walk around the field one time before doing anything else.
YORK LIONS
KEY VETS
28
• Returns this season after missing most of last year with an injury • Named the 2015 OUA rookie of the year, York’s first recipient since 1996, and a member of the OUA all-rookie team • Finished second in the OUA in rushing attempts (137) and sixth in rushing yards (689), and scored four TDs • Represented Canada at the 2016 U19 International Bowl
• Ranked fourth in the OUA and fifth in U SPORTS in all-purpose yards (1,156) • Led the OUA in total kick return yards (656) and tied for seventh in punt return yards (230) • Ranked third on the team in total receptions (23) and receiving yards (270)
JESSE AMANKWAA RB 6’0 205 3rd Year Etobicoke, Ont.
85
• Started seven games on the offensive line at guard last year, successfully returning after missing two years with an injury
75
RYAN FARR
OL 6’3 295 3rd Year Innisfil, Ont.
2017 FOOTBALL
12
ALEX DALEY
REC 6’0 187 2nd Year Etobicoke, Ont.
• Last year finished fourth in the OUA in passing yards (2,085), the highest single-season total in York history • Was also fourth in passing touchdowns (12) and completions (156) and seventh in completion percentage (60.9) • Named the CIS and OUA offensive player of the week after Week 1 and received the OUA award again in Week 3 • Earned York’s Leonard JeanPierre W21 Offensive MVP Award • Participated in the Calgary training camp as part of the CISCFL quarterback development program in 2016 and joined Edmonton for the same program in 2017 • Won a silver medal as the starting quarterback for Team Canada at the 2014 U19 world junior championships in Kuwait
BRETT HUNCHAK QB 6’4 195 3rd Year Calgary, Alta.
13
5
• OUA West second-team all-star one year after being an OUA all-rookie team member • Ranked third in the OUA in receiving touchdowns (five), sixth in total receptions (43) and seventh in receiving yards (588), the fourthmost single season receiving yards in York history • Earned York’s Frank Cosentino Team MVP Award • Won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2014 U19 world junior championships in Kuwait
COLTON HUNCHAK REC 6’1 195 3rd Year Calgary, Alta.
• Returns to the line-up after missing all of last year with an injury • Will start at defensive back this season after previously playing at receiver • Represented Canada at back-to-back U19 International Bowls in 2015 and 2016 • Was an all-American kick returner and Class AA state champion in high school
7 14
30
• Played in seven games as a rookie linebacker • Recorded 5.5 tackles, one forced fumble, two pass break-ups and one block • Earned York’s Andre Durie Special Teams MVP Trophy
DAMIAN JAMIESON LB 6’2 215 2nd Year Oakville, Ont.
• Tied for fifth in the OUA in yards per rush (5.8) and was 10th in total rushes (85) and rushing yards (489) • Represented Canada at back-to-back U19 International Bowls in 2014 and 2015 • Also a member of the Lions track and field team, winning an OUA silver medal and finishing fifth at the U SPORTS championships in the heptathlon last year and earning OUA second-team all-star honours
JACOB JANKE
DB 6’2 200 2nd Year Edmonton, Alta.
21
KAYDEN JOHNSON RB 6’3 220 3rd Year Kerrobert, Sask.
YORK LIONS
• Participated in the 2017 East West Bowl • Has played in all 24 games in his career and last year ranked sixth on the team with 32 tackles • For his career, has 72.5 tackles, six interceptions and nine pass break-ups
29
• Earned OUA all-rookie team honours • Ranked first among rookies in the OUA in total sacks (five) and tackles for loss (seven), putting him sixth and ninth, respectively, among all players • Tied for seventh on the Lions in total tackles (30) • Won the silver medal with Team Canada at the 2014 U19 world junior championships in Kuwait
IAN LAWRENCE DB 6’0 180 4th Year Paris, Ont.
98
8
ROSSINI SANDJONG-DJABOME DE 6’2 235 2nd Year Longueuil, Que.
• Participated in the 2017 East West Bowl, where he recorded two sacks • Appeared in 15 games over the last two seasons as a pass rusher • Last year ranked ninth on the team in total tackles (21) and also had one sack, one fumble recover and one pass break-up
MATT SKOKO
DL 6’5 235 4th Year Toronto, Ont.
2017 FOOTBALL
3
• Started all eight games as a first-year linebacker and ranked second on the team with 42 total tackles • Also had two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass break-up • Earned York’s inaugural Study Hall Award • Spent one season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he led the team in tackles and was selected as an all-state and all-Southwest all-star at linebacker
ANDREW SMITH LB 5’7 210 3rd Year Whitby, Ont.
15
KEY ROOKIES • Won BCSSAA and CWOSSAA championships in grade 11with Assumption College School • Named offensive lineman of the year in grade 12 • Also played for the Brantford Bisons in the OVFL
64
CHAVAUGHN BARRETT OL 6’4 315 1st Year Brantford, Ont.
44
• Won a state championship with Morse H.S. in San Diego • Named the defensive MVP in his third year and co-team MVP in fourth year • Spent one season playing on a 7-on-7 club team
4 16
• Starred at linebacker at Robert Bateman S.S., earning defensive MVP and team MVP honours • Earned conference and provincial all-star awards in high school
DAWSON DAVIS
LB 6’0 210 1st Year Abbotsford, B.C.
• Won three straight city championships and two Northern championships with Bev Facey H.S. • Two-time senior offensive lineman of the year • Selected to the U18 Alberta team for the inaugural North American championships in Orlando in 2017
DESI DIXON
DB 6’2 185 1st Year San Diego, Calif.
62
JAMES DUFFEY JR. OL 6’2 330 1st Year Leduc, Alta.
YORK LIONS
• Won back-to-back York Region championships with Huron Heights • Two-time all-star in high school and the team’s defensive MVP in 2015 • Spent the last two seasons with the York Region Lions in the OVFL
51
PHILIPPE GIROUARD LB 6’0 190 1st Year Newmarket, Ont.
• Western Conference and provincial all-star in 2014 in high school • Spent two seasons with the Westshore Rebels in the CJFL • Earned the team’s most outstanding lineman award in 2015 and was a BCFC all-star in 2016
74
• Earned football team MVP award at McNally H.S. • Spent the last two seasons with Edmonton Wildcats in the CJFL and was the team’s leading receiver in 2016
81
AARMIN PUREWAL OL 6’5 285 1st Year Victoria, B.C.
2017 FOOTBALL
66
LUTHER HAKUNAVANHU REC 6’4 195 1st Year Edmonton, Alta.
• Won three straight Alberta Tier I provincial championships with Notre Dame H.S. • Spent one season with the Calgary Hilltoppers, earning Calgary Division I all-star honours and the team’s lineman of the year award • Played for the Calgary Colts in the CJFL this past year
LANE RAPOSO
OL 6’4 285 1st Year Calgary, Alta.
17
2016 AWARD WINNERS FOOTBALL TEAM HANDS OUT ANNUAL AWARDS
Each year the football team honours its top student-athletes with the greatest achievements both on and off the field. Last year’s winners included: (left to right)
MICHAEL RUNOWSKI – York Lions Warrior Award ANDREW SMITH – Study Hall Award DJ PANOS – Gridiron Scholar Award for Academic Excellence
DAMIAN JAMIESON – Andre Durie Special Teams Award BRETT HUNCHAK – Leonard Jean-Pierre W21 Offensive MVP Trophy
COLTON HUNCHAK – Frank Cosentino MVP Trophy
ROSSINI SANDJONG-DJABOME – Jeff Johnson Rookie of the Year and Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year Award
JOSH SMALL – Nobby Wirkowski Defensive MVP Trophy ADAM ADEBOBOYE – Tom Arnott Yeoman of the Year Award for Hard Work and Character CHRIS KOLANKOWSKI – York Lions Warrior Award 2011OUA3875x4625COL.pdf 9:35:16 AM MITCHELL FRASER – York Lions 8/12/11 Warrior Award EMERSON MORASSUTTI – York Lions Warrior Award
THE PLAYERS
40 Airgama ABAYA
27 Jordan ADAMS
25 Adam ADEBOBOYE
70 Malachi ADLAM
95 Muhammad ALI
DB • 5’11 • 175 • 3rd Year
FB • 6’0 • 210 • 1st Year
REC • 5’9 • 175 • 5th Year
OL • 6’4 • 225 • 1st Year
DL • 6’2 • 220 • 1st Year
Kinesiology & Health Science Oakville, Ont. St. Ignatius of Loyola S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Burlington, Ont. Notre Dame C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Toronto, Ont. Northern S.S.
Communication Studies Brampton, Ont. St. Roch C.S.S.
Communication Studies Burlington, Ont. Robert Bateman H.S.
20 Daniel AMOAKO
Mohammed ANIMASHAWUN
Gabriel APPIAH-KUBI
6 Jesse AMANKWAA
Terrell ALLERT LB • 5’11 • 215 • 1st Year
RB • 6’0 • 205 • 3rd Year
DB • 5’11 • 175 • 1st Year
DB • 5’10 • 160 • 1st Year
REC • 5’11 • 155 • 1st Year
Business & Society Toronto, Ont. Central Technical School
Health & Society Etobicoke, Ont. Michael Power/St. Joseph C.S.S.
Financial & Business Economics Ajax, Ont. Notre Dame C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Brampton, Ont. Fletcher’s Meadow S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Brampton, Ont. St. Roch C.S.S.
34 Aaron ATWELL
Nicholas BAKER
64 Chavaughn BARRETT
Andrew BATMAN
Genesis BEDIAKO
DB • 6’0 • 170 • 4th Year
REC • 6’0 • 210 • 1st Year
OL • 6’4 • 315 • 1st Year
LB • 6’2 • 200 • 1st Year
RB • 5’11 • 165 • 1st Year
Sociology North York, Ont. C.W. Jefferys C.I. / University of Windsor
Health Studies Toronto, Ont. Don Mills C.I.
Criminology Brantford, Ont. Assumption C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Superior Heights C.V.S.
Economics Brampton, Ont. St. Roch C.S.S.
Shakim BENNETT
Lesean BETTON
65 Luke BORSELLA
53 Alexei BRAZEAU
42 Isaiah BROWN
DB • 5’10 • 180 • 3rd Year
DB • 6’0 • 170 • 1st Year
OL • 6’0 • 285 • 2nd Year
LB • 6’2 • 220 • 3rd Year
DB • 5’11 • 175 • 2nd Year
Economics Burlington, Ont. Corpus Christi C.S.S.
Sociology Brampton, Ont. St. Roch C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Toronto, Ont. Burnhamthorpe C.I.
Administrative Studies Sturgeon Falls, Ont. E.S.C. Franco-Cité
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Orlando, Fla. Orlando Christian Prep
2017 FOOTBALL
19
THE PLAYERS
Sheldon BROWN
94 Nathaneal CAMERON
90 Mack CHAPMAN
26 Emanuel CHAREST
97 Jeffrey CHEN
LB • 6’3 • 205 • 1st Year
DL • 6’3 • 235 • 3rd Year
DL • 6’2 • 240 • 2nd Year
RB • 5’7 • 170 • 1st Year
DL • 6’0 • 270 • 2nd Year
Psychology Keswick, Ont. Keswick H.S.
Communication Studies Scarborough, Ont. Sir Wilfrid Laurier C.I. / Simon Fraser University
Social Science Almonte, Ont. Almonte District H.S.
French Studies Edmunston, N.B. Cite Des Jeunes A.M.-Sormany / Bishop’s University
Nursing Toronto, Ont. Northern S.S.
23 Brett COLANGELO
41 Marcus COLANGELO
Bryce COVELLO
85 Alex DALEY
36 Dona DANHOUNDO
DB • 5’9 • 180 • 4th Year
DB • 5’6 • 165 • 1st Year
QB • 6’3 • 200 • 1st Year
REC • 6’0 • 187 • 2nd Year
DL • 6’1 • 245 • 2nd Year
Social Science Oakville, Ont. St. Ignatius of Loyola S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Mississauga, Ont. Our Lady of Mount Carmel S.S.
Commerce Thunder Bay, Ont. St. Ignatius H.S.
Communication Studies Etobicoke, Ont. Thistletown C.I.
Business & Society Cotonou, Benin
44 Dawson DAVIS
60 Noah DiMATTEO
67 Anthony DiNARDO
4 Desi DIXON
Christian Brothers College / University of Manitoba
62 James DUFFEY JR.
LB • 6’0 • 210 • 1st Year
OL • 6’0 • 255 • 1st Year
OL • 6’1 • 275 • 4th Year
DB • 6’2 • 185 • 1st Year
OL • 6’2 • 330 • 1st Year
Kinesiology & Health Science Abbotsford, B.C. Robert Bateman S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Maple, Ont. St. Joan of Arc C.H.S.
Business & Society King City, Ont. King City S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science San Diego, Calif. Morse H.S.
History Leduc, Alta. Bev Facey Community H.S.
28 Talik EHOUMAN
75 Ryan FARR
33 Matthan FRANCIS
82 Connor GARDINER
James GARRISH
DB • 5’9 • 165 • 1st Year
OL • 6’3 • 295 • 3rd Year
DB • 6’1 • 180 • 1st Year
REC • 6’2 • 185 • 1st Year
REC • 6’0 • 170 • 1st Year
Kinesiology & Health Science Markham, Ont. St. Brother Andre C.H.S.
Business Economics Innisfil, Ont. Nantyr Shores S.S.
Communication Studies Brampton, Ont. St. Roch C.S.S.
Business Economics Cambridge, Ont. Jacob Hespeler S.S. / Carleton University
Education Cayuga, Ont. Cayuga S.S.
20
YORK LIONS
51 Philippe GIROUARD
76 Jackson HAIME
81 Luther HAKUNAVANHU
24 Brandon HATZES
87 Kadeem HEMMINGS
LB • 6’0 • 190 • 1st Year Kinesiology & Health Science Newmarket, Ont Huron Heights S.S.
OL • 6’3 • 320 • 2nd Year
REC • 6’4 • 195 • 1st Year
DB • 6’2 • 200 • 4th Year
REC • 5’7 • 160 • 1st Year
Canadian Studies Winnipeg, Man. Kelvin H.S.
Commerce Edmonton, Alta. McNally H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Whitby, Ont. Donald A. Wilson S.S.
Psychology Mississauga, Ont. St. Francis Xavier C.S.
12 Brett HUNCHAK
5 Colton HUNCHAK
30 Damian JAMIESON
7 Jacob JANKE
92 Reid JEFFS
QB • 6’4 • 195 • 3rd Year
REC • 6’1 • 195 • 3rd Year
LB • 6’2 • 215 • 2nd Year
DB • 6’2 • 200 • 2nd Year
DL • 6’3 • 245 • 3rd Year
Psychology Calgary, Alta. Notre Dame H.S.
Business & Society Calgary, Alta. Notre Dame H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Oakville, Ont. White Oaks S.S.
Commerce Edmonton, Alta. Glacier H.S.
Health & Society Mississauga, Ont. Port Credit S.S.
21 Kayden JOHNSON
Brinder KAILE
84 Nikola KALINIC
19 Eric KIMMERLY
55 Skye KING
RB • 6’3 • 220 • 3rd Year
DB • 6’1 • 195 • 1st Year
REC • 6’6 • 245 • 3rd Year
REC • 5’11 • 195 • 3rd Year
DL • 6’3 • 270 • 2nd Year
Sociology Kerrobert, Sask. Lutheran C.B.I. / University of Saskatchewan
Kinesiology & Health Science Everett, Wash. Mariner H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Toronto, Ont. Silverthorn C.I.
Sociology Oshawa, Ont. Msgr. Paul Dwyer S.S.
Health Studies Calgary, Alta. Notre Dame H.S.
11
17 Jonathan LANDRY
37 Malik LANGSTON
35 Enzo LARICCIA
29 Ian LAWRENCE
QB • 6’4 • 210 • 2nd Year
REC • 6’1 • 215 • 3rd Year
DB • 6’1 • 180 • 4th Year
K • 5’9 • 180 • 1st Year
DB • 6’0 • 180 • 4th Year
Communcations Studies Brantford, Ont. North Park C.I.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Sudbury, Ont. College Notre-Dame
Kinesiology & Health Science Brampton, Ont. St. Augustine S.S.
Criminology Port Colborne, Ont. Lakeshore C.H.S.
Environmental Studies Paris, Ont. Paris District H.S.
Matt KRASON
2017 FOOTBALL
21
THE PLAYERS
63 Chase LEMPERES
61 Nicholas LICHACZ
54 Dalton LISSO
1
Daniel LOGGALE
Carlton MAKINI
OL • 6’2 • 260 • 1st Year
OL • 6’2 • 290 • 1st Year
DL • 6’2 • 270 • 4th Year
DB • 6’3 • 175 • 1st Year
DB • 6’0 • 183 • 1st Year
Physics & Astronomy Abbotsford, B.C. Abbotsford Senior S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Etobicoke, Ont. Michael Power/St. Joseph C.S.S.
Disaster & Emergency Management Caledon, Ont. Robert F. Hall C.S.S.
Business Economics Edmonton, Alta. W.P. Wagner H.S.
Information Technology London, Ont. Mother Teresa C.S.S.
14 Harrison MANCUSO
83 Chris MOTE 15 Dante MASTROGIUSEPPE
56 Kevin MUSAI
Timi OLADIPO
QB • 6’3 • 195 • 1st Year
K • 6’0 • 190 • 1st Year
REC • 6’2 • 190 • 1st Year
LB • 6’0 • 215 • 1st Year
DB • 6’0 • 208 • 1st Year
Business & Society Newmarket, Ont. Huron Heights S.S.
Cognitive Science London, Ont. John Paul II C.H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Canfield, Ont. South Lincoln H.S.
Financial & Business Economics Cleveland, Ohio Lakewood H.S.
Social Science Brampton, Ont. Ascension of our Lord H.S.
Alexander OLAY
57 Jared OTT
77 Ben PHELPS
91 Matthew PRUSIN
9 Rees PATERSON
RB • 5’5 • 160 • 1st Year
LB • 6’0 • 215 • 1st Year
DB • 5’11 • 185 • 4th Year
OL • 6’4 • 310 • 2nd Year
DL • 6’1 • 225 • 1st Year
Kinesiology & Health Science Courtice, Ont. Holy Trinity C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Winnipeg, Man. Vincent Massey H.S.
Sociology Sherwood Park, Alta. Archbishop Jordan C.H.S.
Criminology Burlington, Ont. Assumption C.S.S.
Environmental Studies Pickering, Ont. Vankleek Hill H.S.
74 Aarmin PUREWAL
Alex PURVIS
43 Gautham RAJENDRA
66 Lane RAPOSO
86 Vincent REALE
OL • 6’5 • 285 • 1st Year
QB • 6’3 • 170 • 1st Year
FB • 5’11 • 200 • 1st Year
OL • 6’4 • 285 • 1st Year
REC • 5’11 • 175 • 3rd Year
History Victoria, B.C. Mount Douglas S.S.
Professional Writing Toronto, Ont. Birchmount Park C.I.
Kinesiology & Health Science Markham, Ont. Markham District H.S.
Business & Society Calgary, Alta. Notre Dame H.S.
Law & Society Oakville, Ont. St. Ignatius of Loyola S.S.
22
YORK LIONS
13 Jayden REID
18 Joey RICOTTONE
31 Xavier ROGERS
68 Robert RUDDERHAM
93 Jamian RUSH
QB • 6’0 • 180 • 1st Year
REC • 6’3 • 205 • 4th Year
DB • 6’1 • 168 • 2nd Year
OL • 6’3 • 300 • 1st Year
DL • 6’2 • 305 • 2nd Year
Criminology Kensington, P.E.I. Three Oaks Senior H.S.
Professional Writing Hamilton, Ont. Westdale S.S.
Business & Society Brampton, Ont. Cardinal Leger S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Brampton, Ont. St. Thomas Aquinas S.S.
Biology Jackson, Missi. Terry H.S.
96 Mustafa SAGBILGE
8 Rossini 98 Matthew SANDJONG-DJABOME SKOKO
3 Andrew SMITH
59 Christopher SMITH
DL • 6’1 • 310 • 2nd Year
DE • 6’2 • 235 • 2nd Year
DL • 6’5 • 235 • 4th Year
LB • 5’7 • 210 • 3rd Year
OL • 6’6 • 290 • 4th Year
Sociology Toronto, Ont. Central Technical School
Business Economics Longueuil, Que. CEGEP Edouard-Montpetit
Environmental Studies Toronto, Ont. Martingrove C.I.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Whitby, Ont. IMG Academy
History Brampton, Ont. St. Thomas Aquinas C.S.S.
Terrell THEBERGE
32 Kadeem THOMAS
89 Nick VOCI
22 Majeed ZABSONRE
DB • 5’10 • 158 • 1st Year
DB • 5’6 • 175 • 2nd Year
REC • 6’2 • 215 • 1st Year
REC • 6’2 • 170 • 1st Year
Psychology Toronto, Ont. Birchmount Park C.I.
Business & Society Toronto, Ont. Central Technical School
Psychology Mississauga, Ont. St. Joan of Arc C.H.S.
Urban Studies Stouffville, Ont. St. Brother Andre C.H.S.
2017 FOOTBALL
23
RECORD BOOK OFFENCE
DEFENCE
CAREER POINTS 218 Roy Venier 162 Nick Naylor 160 Andre Batson 158 Mike Boyd 150 Andre Durie 132 Jeff Johnson 119 Sergio Capobianco 102 Joe Pariselli 102 Geroge Ganas 102 Brian Nugent
1996-97, 1999, 2001 2013-16 1993-97 1981-84 2003-05 1996-99 1979-80, 1982 1981, 1983-85 1981-84 1998-01
CAREER PASSING YARDS 5324 Billy Barbosa 4379 Bart Zemanek 4259 Mike Foster 3929 Tino Iacono 3755 Myles Gibbon 3719 Parry Apostolopoulos 3046 Marcello Lio 3037 Brett Hunchak 2719 Adam Karlsson 2458 Gerry Verge
1998-02 2002-06 1976-80 1981-85 2012-13 1990-94 1991-93, 1995-96 20151986-87, 1991 1971-74
CAREER RUSHING YARDS 3358 Jeff Johnson 2406 Andre Durie 1698 Joe Pariselli 1614 Terry Douglas 1513 Leonard Jean-Pierre 1490 Neil Denton 1196 George Ganas 1192 Keith Vassalo 1149 Bryan Wheatle 1099 Pearce Akpata
1996-99 2003-05 1981-85 1983-86 1993-95 1990-93 1981-84, 1986 1978-80 2001-05 2002-06
CAREER RECIEVING YARDS 2186 Andre Batson 1708 Will Austin 1615 Steve Ince 1609 Brian Nugent 1359 Bill Hatanaka 1264 P.J. Edgeworth 1225 Remzi Veli 1214 Ricardo Hudson 1115 Brian Gifford 1056 Adam Adeboboye
1993-97 2009-13 1971-73 1998-01 1972-75 1990-94 1993-97 2002-06 1979-82 2013-
CAREER TACKLES 221 Hussein Hazime 220 Steven Reading 153.5 Josh Small 127.5 Emerson Morassutti 123.5 Michael Runowski 122 Patrick Russell 108.5 James Tuck 100.5 Theo Feroiu 90 David Mills 88 Nikita Starchenko 88 Ricky Foley CAREER INTERCEPTIONS 16 Neil Maki 11 Dennis Mavrin 10 John Cripps 10 Clinton John 10 Rich Robinson 9 Jamie Williamson 8 Brian Bird 7 Robert Cole 7 Norbie Wirkowski 7 Domenic Cugliari
*Tracked since 2002
2011-15 2007-11 2012-16 2011-14, 2016 2012-16 2008-12 2010-13 2006-10 2006-08 2013-16 2003-05
1999-03 1998-02 1992-96 2000-04 1993-97 1986-87 1976-79 1971-73 1981-85 1981-85
SPECIAL TEAMS CAREER KICKOFF RETURN YARDS 1444 Andre Batson 982 Paul Hilario 906 Clinton John 818 Joe Pariselli 796 Neil Palgarno 776 Jeff Johnson 733 Jahmari Bennett 699 P.J. Edgeworth 656 Alex Daley 566 Greg McDonald
1993-97 1989-92 2000-04 1981-85 1980-82 1996-99 2014-16 1990-94 20161987-88
CAREER PUNT RETURN YARDS 1460 Andre Batson 813 Clinton John 811 Greg McDonald 721 Neil Maki 696 Paul Forbes 661 Tom Kapantrias 512 Doug Pepper 439 Domenic Cugliari 427 Andre Durie 414 Bill Hatanaka
1993-97 2000-04 1987-88 1999-03 1971-74 1986-88 1970-72 1983-85 2003-05 1972-75
Active players in bold
24
YORK LIONS
FORMER PLAYERS IN THE CFL JAMAL CAMPBELL
RICKY FOLEY
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
B.C. LIONS
Jamal Campbell (2011-15) capped off his Lions career in 2015, starting all eight games and playing primarily at right tackle. He converted to the offensive line after spending his first two years with the Lions on the defensive side of the ball, and was named to the CIS East West Bowl in 2015. He was drafted by his hometown Argos in the third round (22nd overall) in the 2016 CFL Draft. At an athletic 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, Campbell has the physical tools necessary to become a dominant lineman in the CFL and made the Argos opening day roster after completing his first CFL training camp last year and is now in his second season with the team.
JAMES TUCK
Ricky Foley (2003-05) began his football career at York and put up three remarkable seasons. He earned OUA all-star honours twice and was a CIS second-team all-Canadian in 2004. He became the second-highest York player ever drafted in the CFL, going fourth overall to the B.C. Lions in 2006, and went on to win the 2009 Most Outstanding Canadian Award while a member of the Lions. He landed with the Toronto Argonauts in 2010 and was the recipient of the 2012 Grey Cup’s Most Outstanding Canadian Award. He won his second straight ring with the Saskatchewan Roughriders the following season and in 2015 was traded back to his hometown Argos. Foley spent another two years with Toronto and recently resigned with the Lions. He has played in more than 180 games over 12 seasons in the league.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS James Tuck (2010-13) spent four seasons with the Lions, the first two as a linebacker before switching to defensive end for the final two, and earned the team’s Nobby Wirkowski Defensive MVP Trophy in each of the last two seasons. He moved up the draft charts in the spring of 2013 after a tremendous performance at the Toronto regional combine, which earned him an invitation to the CFL’s national combine that April. He was selected in the fourth round (31st overall) by the Montreal Alouettes in 2014 and spent parts of three seasons there and one in Winnipeg before signing with the Argos, where he is a fullback and plays on special teams. He has appeared in more than 30 games in his career.
CHRIS KOLANKOWSKI TORONTO ARGONAUTS Chris Kolankowski (2012-16) finished his fifth and final season with the Lions last year. Following his fourth year with the program he was drafted in the sixth round (49th overall) by his hometown Toronto Argonauts in 2016 and then came back to the Lions for his final season, appearing in seven games on the offensive line at centre. Throughout his career he played in 34 games at centre and guard and earned three team awards: the Tom Arnott Yeoman of the Year Award for Hard Work and Character in 2013, the Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year Award in 2015 and the York Lions Warrior Award in 2016. He went back to training camp with the Argos in 2017 and earned a spot on the roster.
2017 FOOTBALL
FORMER PLAYERS DRAFTED INTO / PLAYED IN THE CFL Andre Batson
Ricardo Hudson
Robin Panzer
Mike Benevides
Les Huggins
Frank Paradiso
Donovan Brown
Peter Janiuk
Joe Pariselli
Jamal Campbell
Leonard Jean-
Jerry Philip
Andre Clarke
Pierre
George Psofimis
Dave D’Onofrio
Eric Jensen
Mike Raymond
Steve Delzotto
Jeff Johnson
John Reid
Andre Durie
Mike Joyce
Warren Robinson
Ricky Foley
Doug Kitts
Darryl Sampson
Anthony Forgione
Chris Kolankowski
Eric Sanderson
Sean Foudy
Dirk Leers
Paul Sheridan
Neil Fraser
Rick Lococo
Steve Shubat
George Ganas
Craig Lorimer
Rick Slipetz
Devon Hanson
Dave Maganja
James Tuck
Bob Harding
Joe Marchildon
Doug Ward
John Harris
Dennis Mavrin
Nord Williams
Bill Hatanaka
Peter Muketo
Trevor Williams
Frank Hoffmann
Brian Nugent
Jamie Williamson
Mark Hopkins
John O’Brien
Mark Houlder
Rob Palmer
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JOIN THE PRIDE York University’s student-athletes have been competing against rival institutions on the Canadian sport scene for over 40 years. Provincial and national team titles, combined with numerous athletes and coaches who have participated on many of Canada’s national teams, attest to the success of York’s varsity program. Since the inception of organized sport competition in 1965, York has won 173 provincial banners and 36 national titles. Athletics & Recreation offers 19 varsity sport teams that compete in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). The varsity sport teams are guided by a tremendous coaching staff that is composed of NCCP certified professionals, many of whom also hold leadership positions in provincial and national sport organizations and are experts in their field of coaching. The staff includes more than 100 dedicated full-time and parttime coaches.
YORK UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1959 and today Canada’s third largest university, York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. Our unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that set us apart. York is the institution of choice for 46,400+ undergraduate students and 5,900+ grad students, and has a network of more than 295,000 alumni worldwide. Through cross-discipline programming, innovative course design, diverse experiential learning and a supportive community environment, our students get the education they need to have big ideas and endless career opportunities.
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TENTANDA VIA: THE WAY MUST BE TRIED. ACADEMIC SUPPORT At York we understand that academic and financial support are significant keys to success at the university level and we have a number of programs in place to provide all the support necessary for student-athletes to thrive.
PROVIDING ATHLETES WITH WINNING STRATEGIES (PAWS) Athletics & Recreation has placed the highest priority on supporting its student-athletes in all facets of university life, focusing specifically on helping foster success in the classroom. The PAWS Program provides tutoring across multiple subjects for all students, mentoring from senior studentathletes, academic advising through our academic services coordinator and many of our faculty, and access to our vast network of alumni.
NAVIGATING YOUR FIRST YEAR All first-year student-athletes are matched with senior athlete mentors that will traverse the entire first year with the incoming student-athlete. Mentors will meet with their mentee once a week and will be a constant resource in all aspects of York life. First-year students will also undertake a program that focuses on skills crucial to success at the university level, including reading, writing, and time and stress management. All student-athletes are given a personalized, in-depth York-specific academic and athletic orientation over the course of their first year. At York, we pride ourselves on making sure no first-year students fall through the cracks.
YORK LIONS
FINANCIAL SUPPORT York University is committed to helping students with demonstrated financial need meet the direct education costs associated with university studies (tuition, books and mandatory course fees). Financial assistance can be provided from a variety of sources including OSAP, scholarships, bursaries, private awards and employment.
ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS
closely with the athletic therapy group on rehabilitating injured players. All Lions have access to the varsity strength and conditioning centre, which is for the exclusive use of our student-athletes. Training here allows you to work in a high-performance environment where all equipment and programming is selected with the needs of the high-performance athlete in mind.
Athletics & Recreation understands the importance of providing Athletic Financial Awards (AFAs) to entering student-athletes and has developed a number of awards, valued at $22,500 each ($4,500 per year up to five years). These awards are given annually to elite student-athletes that have achieved an 80% entering average and maintain a 6.0 grade point average.
SPORT INJURY CLINIC
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
In addition to sport medicine physicians, York employs a large variety of specialists including an orthopedic surgeon, dentist, neurosurgeon, radiologist, cardiologist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, osteopath, pedorthist and a mental health specialist. The team brings to York experience at multiple Olympic Games and world championships, as well as with professional and amateur athletes in a variety of sports.
York University is one of only a handful of institutions in Canada that has two dedicated strength and conditioning coaches for its student-athletes. The Lions work closely with strength and conditioning staff, who create programs based on the needs of the athlete and coaches on highperformance lifts and movements. Team and individual workouts are available and education on all aspects of strength and conditioning is provided, including proper warm-ups and cool-downs, plyometrics, power, energy systems development, strength and flexibility.
The Gorman/Shore Sport Injury Clinic features a full staff of athletic therapists and team doctors with significant experience in the medical field, and many of the doctors are recognized as some of the top experts in the country in their specific fields.
The sport injury clinic is a teaching clinic, with students from the Athletic Therapy Certificate Program doing their clinical placements under the direct supervision of the clinic manager and supervisor. Because of this, most medical care for student-athletes is free of charge. Each Lions varsity team is assigned at least one student athletic therapist who spends the entire season with the team and attends all practices and games. Lions student-athletes also have access to a fully-equipped clinic for all of their treatment needs.
Programs are created for both in-season and off-season workouts. Every training session is designed for the needs of the athlete and individual sport. The training phase and focus changes throughout the year and are based on the competition schedule and off-season periodization program. The staff provides our student-athletes with all of the tools necessary to become stronger, faster and more powerful. The strength and conditioning coaches also work
2017 FOOTBALL
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