2016
YORK FOOTBALL YEARBOOK
FOOTBALL 2016 Welcome back for our 49th season of football at York University! The 2016 season promises to be an exciting one as we continue to build on this past season. Last year head coach Warren Craney and his staff put a significant emphasis on recruiting some of the best football players in the country and they were rewarded with four OUA all-rookie team members and the 2015 rookie of the year in Jesse Amankwaa, York’s first recipient of the award since 1996. This year we are looking forward to watching these players continue to get better on the football field alongside another tremendous recruiting class. In addition to the new crop of players, the off-season was a big one for the program. Kyle Quinlan was hired as our new offensive coordinator and brings with him a remarkable football background, and this summer Warren guided Team Canada to a gold medal at the U19 world championships in China. We kick off the season with a big game against the Waterloo Warriors on opening weekend, and the highlight of our home schedule will come in Week 5 when we welcome the Carleton Ravens for our annual Homecoming game. Our home slate also includes games against the Windsor Lancers in Week 2 and the McMaster Marauders in Week 8. The key game in our road schedule comes in Week 4 when we head downtown to face the rival Toronto Varsity Blues in the 47th Red & Blue Bowl. The Lions will also visit Laurier on Labour Day weekend, Ottawa on Thanksgiving weekend and Guelph to close out the year. 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. I encourage you to 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 studentathletes for a successful 2016 season!
Jennifer Myers Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation
GENERAL INFO 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. Mamdouh Shoukri ADMINISTRATION Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation: Jennifer Myers Director, Business Development: Duke Dickson Associate Director, Athletics: Gillian McCullough Manager, Varsity Athletics: Bart Zemanek Manager, Facilities Administration: Meagan Heath Manager, Sport Injury Clinic: Cindy Hughes Manager, Marketing & Events: Tricia Wyles Senior Development Officer, Athletics: Bruce Logan 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, Promotions & Game Day Experience: Janelle Emanuel 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: Cindy Hughes Supervisor, Sport Injury Clinic: Tracy Meloche Supervisor, Outdoor Sports: James Gardiner 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
2016 SCHEDULE PRESEASON
HOMECOMING
vs. SHERBROOKE VERT ET OR
WEEK 5 vs. CARLETON RAVENS
Saturday, Aug. 20, 1:00 PM at Stade de l’UdeS, Sherbrooke, Que.
Saturday, Sept. 24, 1:00 PM at Alumni Field, Toronto, Ont.
Head coach: David Lessard (5th season) Colours: Green, Gold Home field: Stade de l’UdeS (3,350) 2015 result: Did not play 2015 record: 5-3 (3rd RSEQ, Semifinalist)
Head coach: Steve Sumarah (4th season) Colours: Scarlet, White, Black Home field: Ravens Field (4,500) 2015 result: York 0 at Carleton 52 2015 record: 5-3 (5th OUA, Semifinalist)
HOME OPENER
WEEK 6 - BYE
WEEK 1 vs. WATERLOO WARRIORS Sunday, Aug. 28, 1:00 PM at Alumni Field, Toronto, Ont. Head coach: Chris Bertoia (2nd season) Colours: Black, Gold Home field: Warrior Field (5,400) 2015 result: York 23 at Waterloo 14 2015 record: 0-8 (11th OUA)
WEEK 2 vs. LAURIER GOLDEN HAWKS Monday, Sept. 5, 7:30 PM at University Stadium, Waterloo, Ont. Head coach: Michael Faulds (4th season) Colours: Purple, Gold Home field: University Stadium (6,000) 2015 result: Laurier 38 at York 21 2015 record: 4-4 (6th OUA, Semifinalist)
WEEK 3 vs. WINDSOR LANCERS Saturday, Sept. 10, 1:00 PM at Alumni Field, Toronto, Ont. Head coach: Joe D’Amore (6th season) Colours: Blue, Gold Home field: Alumni Field (10,000) 2015 result: Did not play 2015 record: 2-6 (9th OUA)
47 TH RED AND BLUE BOWL WEEK 4 vs. TORONTO VARSITY BLUES Saturday, Sept. 17, 1:00 PM at Varsity Centre, Toronto, Ont. Head coach: Greg Gary (6th season) Colours: Blue, White Home field: Varsity Stadium (5,000) 2015 result: Toronto 40 at York 3 2015 record: 3-5 (8th OUA)
WEEK 7 vs. OTTAWA GEE-GEES Friday, Oct. 7, 7:00 PM at Gee-Gees Field, Ottawa, Ont. Head coach: Jamie Barresi (4th season) Colours: Garnet, Grey Home field: Gee-Gee’s Field (3,400) 2015 result: Did not play 2015 record: 3-5 (7th OUA)
SENIOR DAY WEEK 8 vs. MCMASTERS MARAUDERS Saturday, Oct. 15, 1:00 PM at Alumni Field, Toronto, Ont. Head coach: Greg Knox (1st season) Colours: Maroon, Grey Home field: Ron Joyce Stadium (6,500) 2015 result: York 10 at McMaster 67 2015 record: 6-2 (3rd OUA, Quarter-finalist)
WEEK 9 vs. GUELPH GRYPHONS Saturday, Oct. 22, 1:00 PM at Alumni Stadium, Guelph, Ont. Head coach: Kevin MacNeill (1st season) Colours: Red, Black, Gold Home field: Alumni Stadium (7,000) 2014 result: Guelph 49 at York 22 2014 record: 7-1 (2nd OUA, Yates Cup champion)
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SEASON OUTLOOK This fall York University Lions head football coach Warren Craney enters his seventh season at the helm of the program and expectations have never been higher for his squad. Craney and his staff reset after a challenging 2014 season and the program took a noticeable step forward last year, posting a victory over Waterloo in Week 5 and finishing the season with a narrow one-point loss to nationally-ranked Queen’s in the finale. The positive results were thanks in large part to a remarkable recruiting class that produced four OUA all-rookie team members. This year’s fortunes will once again rely on those same players and a new crop of rookies who will attempt to make the same impact, and for those reasons a top-six finish is squarely in their sights. “We’ve got a solid foundation and we are looking to make a run at the playoffs,” said Craney about his team’s outlook for 2016. “The recruiting class we brought in last year is far exceeding their expectations as sophomores and they are ready to carry this program on their backs. We followed up that class with some much needed size and talent on the lines this year, as well as another group of talented skill position players who will bring some much needed depth to the line-up.” The sophomore who has taken the biggest leap since first coming to York may be quarterback Brett Hunchak, who comes in as the opening day starting pivot and is fresh off a summer spent at the Calgary Stampeders training camp and he already looks like a player with more than just one year of experience under his belt. He will have plenty of weapons at his disposal, with a backfield that is comprised of reigning OUA rookie of the year Jesse Amankwaa and first-year players Khaliel James and Kayden Johnson, all of whom have national team experience, as well as a group of receivers that includes OUA all-rookie team member Colton Hunchak and fellow sophomore Nikola Kalinic, veterans Ryan Dunaway and Jahmari Bennett and redshirt freshman Alex Daley. “Our offensive skill positions are the strength of this team. I believe we have a top-two quarterback in the OUA, one of the best backfields in the country and a stacked receiving corps. I’d put our running backs up against anybody in the country.” They will play behind a line that is anchored by Chris Kolankowski, who was selected by his hometown Toronto Argonauts in the CFL Draft this past summer, 6-foot-6, 290-pound left tackle Chris Smith and guard Ryan Farr,
YORK LIONS who is healthy again after injuries wiped out most of the last two seasons. In recent years the offence has shown it can move the ball, and this season Craney expects the defence to hold its own when called upon. “Our offence has been carrying the team for the last couple of seasons and we finally have a defence that can answer the call. At our first defensive meeting this year I told them that we are going to be the best group we’ve ever had and I will stand by that. I’m going to coach my tail off and they are going to play.” The Lions already had a strong secondary that counts among the group fifth-year veteran Josh Small and thirdyear players Rees Paterson, Brett Colangelo and Ian Lawrence, who combined for 17 takeaways in 2015. All four of them have returned and will be joined by sophomore Jacob Janke, who lined up at receiver as a rookie but has moved to free safety. “Mark my words, Jacob is going to be an all-star one day. I’ve coached some all-Canadian safeties in the past and he’s every bit as good as anyone I’ve coached.” The defensive line was a weakness for the team last year but it got the biggest boost in the off-season with the addition of top recruits Skye King from Calgary and Jamian Rush from Mississippi. King played under Craney on the junior national team that won the gold medal at the world championships in July, while Rush brings his years of experience playing football in the southern United States north to his new home in Toronto. Behind them is a linebacker group that is led by fifthyear stalwart Nikita Starchenko and will include a trio of supremely talented rookies in Damian Jamieson, Cody Ricottone and Andrew Smith. The Lions are still young and will rely heavily on first- and second-year players, but with such a balanced roster and talent to burn, 2016 is shaping up to be the best yet for Craney and his program. “Last year I said before the season that it was the best football team we’d ever had, and I will say right now that this year we are even better. We are older, bigger and stronger and have remarkable talent across all position groups. We have a bunch of winners on this team, they don’t know any better and that’s all they want to do here.”
Last year I said before the season that it was the best football team we’d ever had, and I will say right now that this year we are even better. WARREN CRANEY - HEAD COACH
FOOTBALL 2016
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. He is also the team’s defensive coordinator. Craney has made a name for himself on the international scene and has been on the Team Canada coaching staff since 2009. This past summer 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 also been a part of the coaching staffs for seven consecutive East West Bowls (2009-15). 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. 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 third-year member of the synchronized swimming team at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio and their son, Noah, is a rookie quarterback with the Vanier College Cheetahs in Montreal, while back home Kennedy is in 12th grade, Ethan is in seventh and Quinn is in senior kindergarten.
YORK LIONS CRANEY GUIDES TEAM CANADA TO WORLD TITLE
WINS GOLD MEDAL IN FINAL EVENT AS NATIONAL TEAM HEAD COACH York University Lions head football coach Warren Craney has been involved with the Canadian junior national team for nearly a decade and this year he retired from the program in style, guiding Team Canada to a world title in his final game as head coach.
Craney led his squad to a huge 24-6 upset victory over the favoured United States in the gold medal final at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) U19 world championships in Harbin, China, in July. After losing 32-14 to the Americans earlier in the tournament, the Canadians rebounded when it mattered most with a strong defensive effort that showed off Craney’s prowess on that side of the ball. He had already previously announced that the tournament would be his final one at the helm of the junior national team.
“It’s really special to be able to retire as world champions, and beating the United States in the manner we beat them is like achieving mecca,” he said about the accomplishment. “They are the gold standard in football and to come back and win the championship after losing to them earlier in the tournament made it even better.”
Craney first joined the national team coaching staff in 2009 as the defensive coordinator and was with the squad in Canton, Ohio, at the inaugural world championships when Canada won the silver medal. He returned to the same role three years later and helped the team upset the Americans for the first time en route to the gold medal in Austin, Texas. He was named the head coach of the program in 2013 and began his tenure with another silver medal at the 2014 world championships, which took place in Kuwait. Along the way he also coached in eight consecutive International Bowls, an annual game in Texas pitting the United States against either Team Canada or a team made up of players from around the world. “It’s beyond special when you get an opportunity to represent your country while doing something you love and I am so proud to have worn the maple leaf all over the world. It is incredibly surreal to have coached football and represented Canada in places like Kuwait and China. I will never forget being out on the practice field each day, and looking around right before blowing the whistle to get things started. In Kuwait, you could see a mosque in the background and hear the prayers happening, and in China you could see the rich history and culture reflected in all the buildings. Every day I would turn to one of my assistants and comment about how lucky we were to be coaching in such exotic locations and I will never forget the experiences I’ve had while with Football Canada.”
FOOTBALL 2016
ASSISTANT COACHES
KYLE QUINLAN
KAMAU PETERSON
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR KQUINLAN@YORKU.CA
ASSOCIATE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR / RECEIVERS
Kyle Quinlan joined the York Lions coaching staff as the offensive coordinator following the 2015 season, returning to the CIS three years after finishing a stellar playing career at
Kamau Peterson has been the associate offensive coordinator and receivers coach for the Lions since 2014, and before that served as a guest coach in 2012 and 2013. He is also the team’s strength and conditioning coach.
He was with the Marauders from 2008-12 and in his final two seasons experienced a run that is among the best the CIS has seen. As the starting quarterback in 2011, he led the Marauders to their first Vanier Cup championship and in that playoff run won three straight game-MVP selections. The following year he had one of the best statistical seasons in CIS football history to win the Hec Crighton Trophy as CIS player of the year, while also leading the Marauders back to the Vanier Cup game. He capped his career by winning the 2013 BLG Award as the CIS male athlete of the year.
He has been part of the Team Canada coaching staff since 2012, working with the receivers for the junior national team and winning two gold medals at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) U19 world championships in 2012 and 2016 and a silver in 2014.
McMaster University.
Quinlan earned a tryout with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) but instead chose to retire as a player and begin coaching. He returned to McMaster as a graduate assistant and spent two summers as the varsity head coach and offensive coordinator of the Hamilton Ironmen Football Club in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). He spent the 2015 season as the head coach at Holland College in Charlottetown, where he led the Hurricanes to the Moosehead Cup title as Atlantic Football League (AFL) champions.
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. He is now the founder and CEO of Playmaker U (playmakeru. ca), which runs training camps for children in Edmonton in a variety of different sports by pairing them up with professional athletes, who provide guidance and coaching.
RYAN KARHUT SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR KARHUT@YORKU.CA
Ryan Karhut was named the program’s special teams coordinator ahead of the 2015 season. He brings to York more than 26 years of experience in football as a player and a coach. In addition to his work with the Lions he is also the head coach of the York Region Lions in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL), a role he took over in 2016 before leading them to a 6-2 record. Immediately prior to coming to York, he was the head coach of the Winnipeg Rifles in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) for two seasons.
Karhut was a varsity player himself, spending one season at the University of Central Florida in 2004 before an impressive three-year career on the offensive line with the University of Manitoba from 2005-07. While with the Bisons, he was a Canada West all-star in 2005 and, as a team captain, won the Hardy Cup and Vanier Cup in 2007. He was selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the fifth round (39th overall) in the 2007 Canadian Football League (CFL) draft, and spent one season with the Montreal Alouettes in 2008 before retiring as a player. After being hired by York, he was immediately named to the coaching staff for the 2015 East West Bowl, where he worked with the defensive line for the West team.
YORK LIONS TOM NORWELL
ZAK COLANGELO
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH / LINEBACKERS
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). 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).
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. In 2016. he was also named the defensive coordinator of the York Region Lions in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). Colangelo brings to York plenty of coaching experience with local teams, most recently 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.
In addition to coaching with the Lions, he works full time in Tennessee as the president of Remington Industries, a position he has held since 2012.
ROY VENIER KICKERS
Roy Venier joined the Lions coaching staff in 2013, returning to the program where he spent four seasons as a player. He remains the top kicker in York football history. He led the team in scoring in each of his four seasons and was a second-team 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 coach within Toronto.
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YORK LIONS
FOOTBALL 2016
ASSISTANT COACHES
GARFIELD NELSON
MARCELLO LIO
RUNNING BACKS
QUARTERBACKS
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 studentathletes in gaining national and international exposure in football.
IAN SINCLAIR DEFENSIVE LINE
Ian Sinclair joined the Lions coaching staff in 2015 to work mostly with the defensive line. He was a varsity athlete himself from 1997-01, starting at halfback and linebacker in all five seasons for the Mount Allison Mounties. In that time he won the Jewett Cup as Atlantic University Sport (AUS) champions in 1997 and was a three-year team captain. Prior to joining the Mounties, he won a national championship with Team Ontario as a halfback in 1996. Sinclair began his coaching career by working with the linebackers for the Nova Scotia U17 team and since then has been a position coach with multiple high schools in Halifax, including winning three provincial championships with Citadel High School. Most recently, he has served as the defensive coordinator at Blenheim District High School in Chatham-Kent, as well as the secondary coach for the London Beefeaters of the OFC and a defensive consultant for the Chatham-Kent Cougars. Away from the football field, he received his MBA and his J.D. from Dalhousie University and is currently a project lawyer in London, Ont., and Toronto.
Marcello Lio joined the Lions coaching staff in 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. 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. Lio is now head of the Health and Physical Education Department and the head football coach at Villanova College in King City, Ont., a role he has held since 2002 when he arrived at the school to start the program. His team has twice received a Top 10 ranking in the GTA and has graduated many student-athletes to the CIS. 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.
NATHANIEL GRIFFITH RECIEVERS
Nathaniel “Shake” Griffith returns to the Lions coaching staff in 2016 as the receivers coach after previously serving in the same role in 2014. He also held the same position with the York Region Lions in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) in 2015. He spent three seasons with the Lions as a receiver (2010-12) 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. Griffith is also the full time equipment services and stadium attendant in York University’s Athletics & Recreation department.
YORK LIONS SAMIR CHAHINE
BARRY KLIMAS
OFFENSIVE LINE
SCOUT
Samir Chahine joined the York Lions coaching staff in 2016 to work with the offensive line and reunites with head coach Warren Craney, who he previously worked alongside with the junior national team. Chahine was the offensive line coach for Team Canada in 2014, helping the squad to a silvermedal finish at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) U19 world championships. He returns to the CIS after spending five seasons with McGill University from 1993-97. He was a three-time OQIFC all-star and is the only McGill football player to merit CIAU all-Canadian status three times (1995-97). He also competed in track and field for the Redmen, winning four Quebec conference championships in the shot put before graduating with a degree in physical education in 1998. He was inducted into the McGill Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Chahine was a second-round selection (11th overall) by the Edmonton Eskimos in the 1998 Canadian Football League (CFL) draft and spent eight seasons in the league with five different teams before retiring and becoming a high school teacher and football coach at Villanova College in King City, Ont. Additional coaching experience includes serving as the head coach of the Bergamo Lions, a pro team in Italy, in 2008 and one season as the offensive line coach with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in 2009.
Barry Klimas joined the Lions coaching staff in 2010 and has worked with student-athletes on both offence and defence. He now works primarily in recruiting. Prior to joining the Lions he was the receivers and place kickers coach at the High School of Montreal. As a player, he was a receiver and place kicker for the University of Manitoba and Champlain College. He won the Bol D’or in 1987 with Champlain and went to the Canada West final with the Bisons in 1991.
RUSS HOFF OFFENSIVE LINE
Russ Hoff was added to the Lions coaching staff in 2016 to assist mostly in recruiting and also to work with the offensive line, returning to a program where he previously played during his varsity career. Hoff, who also spent time as a player with the Toronto Varsity Blues, has served as a coach and administrator in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) since 2004. From 2004-09 he was first a coach and then organizational president of the Etobicoke Eagles, overseeing a varsity team that reached the conference finals four times and won the varsity championship in 2006. He has since gone on to work with the Metro Toronto Wildcats and, most recently, the GTA Grizzlies. Hoff has been a high school teacher and football coach since 2003. He won the Toronto Bowl championship with Richview Collegiate Institute in 2006 and in 2010 founded the football program at Downsview Secondary School, ultimately leading the team to back-to-back Tier 2 city championships in 2012 and 2013.
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YORK LIONS
PLAYER PROFILE BRETT HUNCHAK
SECOND-YEAR QB TAKES THE REIGNS UNDER CENTRE Brett Hunchak came to York University with plenty of fanfare and there was little doubt he would one day take over the reigns of the Lions football program as its starting quarterback. His opportunity game in Week 4 of his rookie season when he was named the starter and now he enters his second year as the main man under centre. After an illustrious career at Calgary’s Notre Dame High School that included an undefeated season and city and provincial championships in his senior year, the 6-foot3, 188-pound pivot earned a spot on Canada’s junior national team for the 2014 U19 world championships in Kuwait and helped lead the squad to the silver medal. While there, he got to know Lions head coach Warren Craney, also at the helm of Team Canada, and ultimately made the decision to head east for his varsity career along with his younger brother Colton, a receiver.
ies and second- and third-year players who have been working hard day after day to elevate the program to the top of the OUA. As a captain, he and his fellow team leaders have instilled a new culture in everything the players do. “Our off-season mentality changed completely. There are a lot more leaders on the team, guys stepped up in the gym and there’s definitely a professional, focused attitude in the locker room. We have a goal and we are going to reach it. We’ve prepared properly and we are ready. We are going to take it game by game and play by play, and we will surprise some people.” That confidence, both in himself and his teammates, is one of the biggest changes seen in Hunchak from just one year ago. His five games as the starter last season showed him what he still needs to do to be great in the OUA and also gave Lions fans a taste of what is in store in the coming years. The program is in good hands with Hunchak as its starting quarterback and the sky is the limit as to what he can accomplish in his next four years at York.
“Brett is exactly who we thought he was when we recruited him last year,” said Craney. “He already looks like a fifth-year quarterback and with his leadership he has made the York Lions his team. We can’t wait to see what he does on the field this season.” Hunchak showed tremendous promise immediately, including going 3-for-3 with a 55-yard touchdown pass on his first ever drive in the team’s season opener, and four weeks into his rookie season the starting job was his. He finished with 952 yards and a 55.6 completion percentage and showed flashes of brilliance throughout the year, most notably in the season finale against nationally-ranked Queen’s when he went 34-of49 for 381 yards. He made such an impression that he was invited to the Calgary Stampeders training camp this past summer as part of the CIS-CFL quarterback development program and returns to York brimming with knowledge and confidence. “It was a great learning experience,” Hunchak said about training with the pros. “I learned a ton about football from Bo Levi [Mitchell] and Drew [Tate] and some of the other veterans with regards to leadership. I saw firsthand the need to have a professional mentality with everything I do here at York, in football and school, to get where I want to be.” Hunchak epitomizes what so many of the Lions are this year: a young, supremely talented football player looking to make his mark on the game and the league. The line-up is full of rook-
GETTING TO KNOW
IF YOU COULD ONLY EAT ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Steak with asparagus and steamed veggies WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE ABOUT YOUR LIFE?
Ryan Gosling WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU ON A DESERTED ISLAND?
Hammock, slushie machine and a buffet! IF YOU WERE A SUPERHERO, WHAT POWER WOULD YOU HAVE?
The ability to fly
FOOTBALL 2016
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KEY VETS
• 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
JESSE AMANKWAA RB 6’0 206 2nd Year Etobicoke, Ont.
81 • Returns this season after missing each of the last two years with an injury • Previously appeared in four games on the offensive line as a rookie
RYAN FARR
OL 6’3 295 2nd Year Innisfil, Ont.
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• Participated in the 2016 East West Bowl • The team’s deep threat led the Lions in yardsper-catch in 2015 at 22.5 • Returned last year after missing all of 2014 with an injury and was third on the team in receiving yards (248) and tied for third in total receptions (11)
RYAN DUNAWAY REC 6’5 210 3rd Year Burlington, Ont.
• Earned the starting job as a rookie in Week 4 and finished 80-of-143 for 952 yards and two touchdowns • This summer participated in the Calgary Stampeders training camp • Won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2014 U19 world junior championships in Kuwait and also played in back-to-back U19 International Bowls in 2014 and 2015
BRETT HUNCHAK QB 6’3 188 2nd Year Calgary, Alta.
YORK LIONS
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• Played in all eight games in first year and earned OUA all-rookie team honours after posting 32 receptions and 355 receiving yards • Had career highs of 13 catches and 135 yards in Week 8 last year • Won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2014 U19 world junior championships in Kuwait and also played in three straight U19 International Bowls in Dallas (2014-16)
COLTON HUNCHAK REC 6’1 198 2nd Year Calgary, Alta.
• Has appeared in 27 games over four seasons at centre and left guard • Drafted in the sixth round (49th overall) by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2016 CFL Draft and played in two preseason games • Earned the team’s Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year Award last season
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CHRIS KOLANKOWSKI OL 6’2 290 5th Year Etobicoke, Ont.
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• 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 a top kick returner in high school, earning all-American honours and winning a class AA championship
JACOB JANKE
DB 6’2 190 2nd Year Edmonton, Alta.
• Started all 16 games over first two seasons and accumulated 47 tackles, 14 pass breakups, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries • Earned OUA all-rookie team honours and York’s Jeff Johnson Rookie of the Year Award in 2015 • Won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2012 U19 world junior championships
REES PATERSON
DB 5’11 185 3rd Year Sherwood Park, Alta.
FOOTBALL 2016 Here’s to the things we’ll build and the legacies we’ll leave behind. Here’s to the Lions among us, destined to rule.
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YORK LIONS
KEY VETS
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• Started all eight games as a pass rusher on the defensive line last year and finished with 8.5 tackles and one interception • Made the team as a walk-on in 2014 and appeared in seven games as a rookie
MATTHEW SKOKO DB 6’5 230 3rd Year Toronto, Ont.
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• Started all 16 games over the last two years at both tackle positions, including all eight games last year on the left side • Is extremely athletic for a player who stands 6-foot-6 and is 290 lbs.
CHRIS SMITH
OL 6’6 290 3rd Year Brampton, Ont.
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• Has played in 30 games over four seasons at cornerback and safety, compiling 111.5 total tackles, four interceptions and 10 pass break-ups • Participated in the 2015 East West Bowl • Earned the team’s 2014 Frank Cosentino Team MVP Trophy and the 2012 Jeff Johnson Rookie of the Year Award
JOSH SMALL
DB 5’9 190 5th Year Pickering, Ont.
• Started 18 games at linebacker in the last three seasons, accumulating 83 total tackles • Last year finished third on the team with 39 tackles and second with 4.5 tackles for loss • Participated in the 2016 East West Bowl • Earned the team’s 2014 Nobby Wirkowski Defensive MVP Award
NIKITA STARCHENKO LB 6’4 230 5th Year Whitby, Ont.
FOOTBALL 2016
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KEY ROOKIES
• Won the silver medal with Team Canada at the 2014 U19 world junior championships in Kuwait and also represented Canada at the 2014 U19 International Bowl in Texas • Played for Team Ontario at the 2013 Canada Cup • Picked up more than 12,000 all-purpose yards and 67 touchdowns in high school and won Windsor’s male athlete of the year award
KHALIEL JAMES RB 6’0 190 1st Year Toronto, Ont.
• Represented Canada at back-to-back U19 International Bowls in 2014 and 2015 • Played for Team Saskatchewan at the 2013 Canada Cup • Also part of the Lions track and field team and previously won a silver medal in the decathlon at the Canadian junior championships and finished fifth at the junior Pan American championships
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• Earned team most outstanding offensive and defensive player awards while playing for White Oaks H.S. • Won the top linebacker award at York’s high school football camp in 2015 • Spent multiple seasons in the OVFL with the Halton Cowboys and Mississauga Warriors
DAMIAN JAMIESON LB 6’2 210 1st Year Oakville, Ont.
• Won the gold medal with Team Canada at the 2016 U19 world junior championships in China and also represented Canada at the 2016 U19 International Bowl in Texas • Played alongside Colton Hunchak at Notre Dame H.S. and won back-toback provincial championships in 2013 and 2014
KAYDEN JOHNSON RB 6’3 195 1st Year Kerrobert, Sask.
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SKYE KING
DL 6’3 285 1st Year Calgary, Alta.
YORK LIONS
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• Participated in the 2015 Ontario Prospect Challenge as a member of Team Halton-Peel’s varsity squad • Played high school football at Assumption C.S.S. and also played for the Burlington Stampeders and Halton Cowboys
BEN PHELPS
OL 6’4 310 1st Year Burlington, Ont.
• Won the silver medal with Team Canada at the 2014 U19 world junior championships in Kuwait and also represented Canada at the 2014 International Bowl in Texas • Spent the last three seasons playing defensive end with CEGEP Edouard-Montpetit
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ROSSINI SANDJONG-DJABOME DL 6’2 225 1st Year Longueuil, Que.
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• Appeared in seven games at Southwest Mississippi Community College last season • Was a three-year member of the varsity team at Terry H.S. and set a career high with 58 tackles in 10 games in final season
JAMIAN RUSH
DL 6’2 305 1st Year Jackson, Miss.
• 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 • Earned LOSSA MVP honours in grade 11 while with Donald A. Wilson H.S.
ANDREW SMITH LB 5’7 210 1st Year Whitby, Ont.
FOOTBALL 2016
#LIONPRIDE
ATHLETICS & RECREATION WEAR THE BEST Visit the Pride Shop to purchase your official Lions merchandise in the lobby of the Tait McKenzie Centre! Check out our new & exciting 2016/17 selection.
LION PRIDE UNITE 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 yulions@yorku.ca for details.
STAY ACTIVE, BE HEALTHY Diverse programming to meet your interests and needs. Take advantage of opportunities based on your time, skills and personal development goals. • Group drop-in fitness classes in Beat Kik, BOSU ABT, Core Circuit, Shread and more • Instructional classes in aquatics, cycling, dance, fitness, martial arts, pilates, and yoga
• Personal Training • Casual Recreation • Intramurals • Sport Clubs
yorkulions.ca/recreation
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Wear RED at select games and you could win!
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YORK LIONS
THE PLAYERS 40 Airgama ABAYA
Jordan ADAMS
25 Adam ADEBOBOYE
90 Jeffrey ADUBOFUOR
15 Steven AICHELE
DB • 5’11 • 173 • 2nd Year
FB • 6’0 • 205 • 1st Year
REC • 5’9 • 175 • 4th Year
DL • 6’4 • 250 • 1st Year
QB • 6’5 • 205 • 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.
Kinesiology & Health Science Toronto, Ont. C.W. Jefferys C.I.
Law & Society Waterloo, Ont. Canisius H.S.
45 Layton AITKEN
28 Jesse AMANKWAA
Daniel AMOAKO
Mohammed ANIMASHAWUN
34 Aaron ATWELL
RB • 5’8 • 205 • 2nd Year
RB • 6’0 • 206 • 2nd Year
DB • 5’11 • 164 • 1st Year
DB • 5’10 • 150 • 1st Year
DB • 6’0 • 170 • 3rd Year
Communications Studies Ottawa, Ont. St. Patrick’s H.S. / Holland College
Health & Society Etobicoke, Ont. Michael Power/St. Joseph C.S.S.
Financial & Business Economics Ajax, Ont. Notre Dame C.S.S.
Health Sciences Brampton, Ont. Fletcher’s Meadow S.S.
Sociology North York, Ont. C.W. Jefferys C.I. / University of Windsor
99 Cole AUSTEN
66 Preston BAIRD
Matthew BECKS
16 Jahmari BENNETT
Shakim BENNETT
DL • 6’3 • 260 • 4th Year
OL • 6’0 • 270 • 5th Year
LB • 6’1 • 210 • 1st Year
REC • 6’0 • 193 • 5th Year
DB • 5’10 • 175 • 3rd Year
Business & Society Barrie, Ont. Bear Creek S.S.
Children’s Studies Markham, Ont. Markham District H.S.
Law Ajax, Ont. St. Mary C.S.S.
Religious Studies Mississauga, Ont. Our Lady of Mount Carmel S.S. / StFX
Economics Burlington, Ont. Corpus Christi C.S.S.
Brandon BETTENCOURT
65 Luke BORSELLA
53 Alexei BRAZEAU
42 Isaiah BROWN
94 Nathaneal CAMERON
LB • 5’10 • 220 • 1st Year
OL • 6’0 • 275 • 1st Year
LB • 6’2 • 220 • 2nd Year
DB • 5’11 • 175 • 2nd Year
Dl • 6’3 • 227 • 2nd Year
Health Studies Stoney Creek, Ont. Bishop Ryan C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Toronto, Ont. Burnhamthorpe C.I.
Administrative Studies Sturgeon Falls, Ont. E.S.C. Franco-Cite
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Orlando, Fla. Orlando Christian Prep
Communication Studies Scarborough, Ont. Sir WIlfrid Laurier C.I.
FOOTBALL 2016
95 Pasquale CASALE
26 Emanuel CHAREST
THE PLAYERS 87 Quinn CHARLES
97 Jeffrey CHEN
88 Devyn CHENIER
DL • 6’1 • 220 • 2nd Year
RB • 5’7 • 160 • 1st Year
REC • 5’10 • 175 • 1st Year
DL • 6’0 • 270 • 1st Year
REC • 5’7 • 190 • 2nd Year
Sociology Mississauga, Ont. St. Marcellinus S.S.
French Studies Edmunston, N.B. Cite Des Jeunes A.M.-Sormany
Disaster & Emergency Management Toronto, Ont. Downsview S.S.
Nursing Toronto, Ont. Northern S.S.
Political Science Thunder Bay, Ont. Sir Winston Churchill C.V.I.
23 Brett COLANGELO
70 Elijah CONTRARES
85 Alex DALEY
36 Dona DANHOUNDO
67 Anthony DiNARDO
DB • 5’9 • 180 • 3rd Year
OL • 6’3 • 330 • 1st Year
REC • 6’0 • 187 • 1st Year
LB • 6’1 • 223 • 1st Year
OL • 6’1 • 275 • 3rd Year
Psychology Oakville, Ont. St. Ignatius of Loyola S.S.
Work & Labour Studies Toronto, Ont. Central Technical School
Communications Studies Etobicoke, Ont. Thistletown C.I.
Business & Society Cotonou, Benin Christian Brothers College
Business & Society King City, Ont. King City S.S.
56 Ryan DOWNIE
81 Ryan DUNAWAY
75 Ryan FARR
68 Sean FORD
33 Mitchell FRASER
LB • 6’2 • 225 • 1st Year
REC • 6’5 • 210 • 3rd Year
OL • 6’3 • 295 • 2nd Year
OL • 6’4 • 290 • 2nd Year
FB • 5’10 • 185 • 4th Year
Psychology Brampton, Ont. Heart Lake S.S.
Business & Society Burlington, Ont. Northeastern H.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Innisfil, Ont. Nantyr Shores S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Etobicoke, Ont. Richview C.I.
Business Economics Newmarket, Ont. Huron Heights S.S.
79 Jackson HAIME
24 Brandon HATZES
82 Kadeem HEMMINGS
31 Meeshak HUDAK
12 Brett HUNCHAK
OL • 6’3 • 300 • 1st Year
DB • 6’1 • 195 • 3rd Year
REC • 5’7 • 160 • 1st Year
DB • 6’2 • 215 • 2nd Year
QB • 6’3 • 188 • 2nd Year
Canadian Studies Winnipeg, Man. Kelvin H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Whitby, Ont. Donald A. Wilson S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Mississauga, Ont. St. Francis Xavier C.S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Beaumont, Alta. Archbishop Jordan C.H.S.
Psychology Calgary, Alta. Notre Dame H.S.
YORK LIONS
5 Colton HUNCHAK
1
Khaliel JAMES
30 Damian JAMIESON
7 Jacob JANKE
92 Reid JEFFS
REC • 6’1 • 198 • 2nd Year
RB • 6’0 • 190 • 1st Year
LB • 6’2 • 210 • 1st Year
DB • 6’2 • 190 • 2nd Year
DL • 6’3 • 265 • 2nd Year
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Calgary, Alta. Notre Dame H.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Toronto, Ont. Catholic Central H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Oakville, Ont. White Oaks S.S.
Financial & Business Economics Edmonton Alta. Glacier H.S.
Health & Society Mississauga, Ont. Port Credit S.S.
Justin JOHNSON
21 Kayden JOHNSON
Sekou KABA
Brinder KAILE
84 Nikola KALINIC
REC • 5’11 • 175 • 1st Year
RB • 6’3 • 195 • 1st Year
DB • 5’9 • 178 • 1st Year
DB • 6’0 • 185 • 1st Year
REC • 6’6 • 245 • 2nd Year
Communications Studies Toronto, Ont. Father Henry Car C.S.S.
Sociology Kerrobert, Sask. Lutheran C.B.I. / University of Saskatchewan
Business Toronto, Ont. Martingrove C.I.
Kinesiology & Health Science Everett, Wash. Mariner H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Toronto, Ont. Silverthorn C.I.
19 Eric KIMMERLY
55 Skye KING
Milan KLIPINA
62 Chris KOLANKOWSKI
11
Matt KRASON
QB • 5’11 • 200 • 2nd Year
DL • 6’3 • 285 • 1st Year
DB • 5’11 • 175 • 1st Year
OL • 6’2 • 290 • 5th Year
QB • 6’4 • 220 • 1st Year
Sociology Oshawa, Ont. Msgr. Paul Dwyer S.S.
Health Studies Calgary, Alta. Notre Dame H.S.
Psychology East York, Ont. Leaside S.S.
Law & Society Etobicoke, Ont. Michael Power/St. Joseph C.S.S.
Communications Studies Brantford, Ont. North Park C.I.
17 Jonathan LANDRY
37 Malik LANGSTON
35 Enzo LARICCIA
29 Ian LAWRENCE
63 Evan LECHLITNER
REC • 6’1 • 205 • 2nd Year
DB • 6’1 • 180 • 3rd Year
K • 5’9 • 175 • 1st Year
DB • 6’0 • 180 • 3rd Year
OL • 6’4 • 295 • 1st Year
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.
Business & Society North Bay, Ont. Widdifield S.S.
FOOTBALL 2016
54 Dalton LISSO
91 Steven LONGO
THE PLAYERS 76 Colin MacDONALD
14 Harrison MANCUSO
51 Emerson MORASSUTTI
LB • 6’2 • 270 • 3rd Year
DL • 6’3 • 250 • 1st Year
OL • 6’4 • 270 • 1st Year
QB • 6’3 • 190 • 1st Year
LB • 6’1 • 215 • 5th Year
Disaster & Emergency Management Caledon, Ont. Robert F. Hall C.S.S.
Business & Society Toronto, Ont. Chaminade College School
History / Education Thornhill, Ont. Lorne Park S.S.
Business & Society Newmarket, Ont. Huron Heights S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Aurora, Ont. Dr. G.W. Williams S.S.
83 Chris MOTE
41 Nick NAYLOR
Timi OLADIPO
Nick ORTON
96 Jared OTT
REC • 6’2 • 185 • 1st Year
K • 5’11 • 180 • 5th Year
DB • 6’0 • 208 • 1st Year
DB • 5’7 • 160 • 1st Year
DL • 6’0 • 215 • 1st Year
Kinesiology & Health Science Canfield, Ont. South Lincoln H.S.
Environmental Studies Abbotsford, B.C. W.J. Mouat H.S.
Social Science Brampton, Ont. Ascension of our Lord H.S.
Psychology North Bay, Ont. West Ferris S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Winnipeg, Man. Vincent Massey H.S.
27 DJPANOS
50 Jamieson PAPPAS
9 Rees PATERSON
77 Ben PHELPS
44 Ross POLITO
LB • 6’0 • 200 • 2nd Year
LB • 6’2 • 220 • 2nd Year
DB • 5’11 • 185 • 3rd Year
OL • 6’4 • 310 • 1st Year
DB • 5’11 • 185 • 1st Year
Environmental Studies Mississauga, Ont. Port Credit S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Waterloo, Ont. Resurrection C.S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Sherwood Park, Alta. Archbishop Jordan C.H.S.
Criminology Burlington, Ont. Assumption C.S.S.
Political Science Ottawa, Ont. Sacred Heart S.S.
60 Scott POWERS
Matthew PRUSIN
43 Gautham RAJENDRA
86 Vincent REALE
13 Jayden REID
OL • 6’0 • 270 • 1st Year
DL • 6’1 • 215 • 1st Year
FB • 5’11 • 220 • 1st Year
REC • 5’10 • 170 • 2nd Year
QB • 6’0 • 180 • 1st Year
Criminology Dunnville, Ont. Lakeshore C.H.S.
Environmental Studies Pickering, Ont. Vankleek Hill H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Markham, Ont. Markham District H.S.
Law & Society Oakville, Ont. St. Ignatius of Loyola S.S.
Criminology Kensington, P.E.I. Three Oaks Senior H.S.
YORK LIONS
80 Quinn REILLY
Stephen REYES
52 Cody RICOTTONE
18 Joey RICOTTONE
Xavier ROGERS
REC • 6’3 • 230 • 3rd Year
DB • 5’9 • 185 • 1st Year
LB • 6’1 • 225 • 1st Year
REC • 6’3 • 205 • 3rd Year
DB • 6’0 • 168 • 2nd Year
Business Economics Grimsby, Ont. Blessed Trinity C.S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Toronto, Ont. Michael Power/St. Joseph C.S.S.
Business & Society Hamilton, Ont. Lakewood H.S.
Professional Writing Hamilton, Ont. Westdale S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Brampton, Ont. Cardinal Leger S.S.
49 Michael RUNOWSKI
93 Jamian RUSH
Alex 8 Rossini SANDJONG-DJABOME 72 SCHWASS
98 Matthew SKOKO
LB • 6’2 • 225 • 5th Year
DL • 6’2 • 305 • 1st Year
DL • 6’2 • 225 • 1st Year
OL • 6’6 • 350 • 1st Year
DL • 6’5 • 230 • 3rd Year
Schulich School of Business Burlington, Ont. Lester B. Pearson H.S.
Biology Jackson, Miss. Terry H.S.
Business Economics Longueuil, Que. CEGEP Edouard-Montpetit
Psychology Toronto, Ont. Royal St. Georges College
Environmental Studies Toronto, Ont. Martingrove C.I.
4 Josh SMALL
3 Andrew SMITH
59 Christopher SMITH
2 Nikita STARCHENKO
Kadeem THOMAS
DB • 5’9 • 190 • 5th Year
LB • 5’7 • 210 • 1st Year
OL • 6’6 • 290 • 3rd Year
LB • 6’4 • 230 • 5th Year
DB • 5’6 • 175 • 1st Year
Sociology Pickering, Ont. Pickering H.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Whitby, Ont. IMG Academy
Business & Society Brampton, Ont. St. Thomas Aquinas C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Whitby, Ont. Donald A. Wilson S.S.
Business & Society Toronto, Ont. Central Technical School
58 Stewart VAN DER MADE
89 Nick VOCI
69 Najeeb WAHAB
22 Majeed ZABSONRE
LB • 6’0 • 220 • 1st Year
REC • 6’2 • 215 • 1st Year
OL • 6’3 • 280 • 3rd Year
REC • 6’2 • 170 • 1st Year
Urban Studies St. George, Ont. Our Lady of Lourdes C.H.S.
Psychology Mississauga, Ont. St. Joan of Arc C.H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Aurora, Ont. Dr. G.W. Williams S.S.
Urban Studies Stouffville, Ont. St. Brother Andre C.H.S.
FOOTBALL 2016
2015 AWARD WINNERS
LIONS WIN OUA AND CIS MAJOR AWARDS
Several York Lions football team members capped off the 2015 season by bringing home some hardware thanks to their tremendous accomplishments on and off the field.
NORWELL WINS GINO FRACAS AWARD Assistant head coach Tom Norwell was honoured with the prestigious Gino Fracas Award as the CIS assistant coach of the year and he was also named the OUA volunteer coach of the year. He has been at York since 2010 and has been a valuable asset to the coaching staff since his arrival even while working full time in Tennessee, where he was hired as president of Remington Industries in 2012. Throughout each football season since then, he flies into Toronto on Thursdays in time for that night’s practice, and then stays to coach the game on the weekend and help with corrections on Sunday before flying back to Tennessee for another work week. He also plans his vacation time around Lions training camp so he can be on site each year for the first weeks of practice, and during the off-season he is available for weekly meetings by phone and makes a point to fly to Toronto whenever top-level recruits visit campus so that he can participate in the process. Norwell is the first York coach to be honoured with the award.
AMANKWAA HONOURED AS OUA’S TOP ROOKIE Jesse Amankwaa became York’s first recipient of the OUA rookie of the year award since fellow running back Jeff Johnson received the honour in 1996. He is the fifth player in program history to be named the OUA’s top rookie, joining Andre Batson (1993), Peter Floro (1991) and Tino Iacono (1981). Amankwaa appeared in all eight games for the Lions this season and finished second in the OUA in rushes with 137, while his 689 yards placed him sixth in the conference. Only former OUA MVP Dillon Campbell ran the ball more often this season than Amankwaa did in his rookie year. The 6-foot-0, 216-pound running back averaged 86.1 yards per game and finished inside the top 10 with four TDs. He announced his arrival into the league in Week 4 against the Waterloo Warriors. He made the most of his first career start at tailback, putting up 131 yards on 24 rushes and scoring the first two touchdowns of his career. The health and society student-athlete saved his best game for last with a season-high 31 rushes for 182 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a near-upset of No. 10 Queen’s.
QUARTET OF LIONS NAMED TO OUA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM Amankwaa was also named to the OUA all-rookie team alongside receivers Colton Hunchak and Nathaniel Pinto, and linebacker Jakob Butler. It marked the first time since 2013 the Lions have had more than one representative on the team.
YORK LIONS
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)
JESSE AMANKWAA – Jeff Johnson Rookie of the Year and Leonard Jean-Pierre W21 Offensive MVP Trophy MEESHAK HUDAK – Tom Arnott Yeoman of the Year Award for Hard Work and Character CHRIS KOLANKOWSKI – Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year Award HUSSEIN HAZIME – Frank Cosentino MVP Trophy JORDYN MOORE – York Lions Warrior Award MITCHELL FRASER – Andre Durie Special Teams Award SCOTT NOIVO – York Lions Warrior Award (not pictured)
JAKOB BUTLER – Nobby Wirkowski Defensive MVP Trophy SEAN FORD – Gridiron Scholar Award for Academic Excellence
FOOTBALL 2016 OFFENCE
RECORD BOOK DEFENCE
CAREER POINTS 218 Rob Venier 160 Andre Batson 158 Mike Boyd 150 Andre Durie 132 Jeff Johnson 119 Nick Naylor 119 Sergio Capobianco 102 Joe Pariselli 102 Geroge Ganas 102 Brian Nugent
1996-97, 1999, 2001 1993-97 1981-84 2003-05 1996-99 20131979-80, 1982 1981, 1983-85 1981-84 1998-01
CAREER TACKLES 220 Steven Reading 220 Hussein Hazime 122 Patrick Russell 111.5 Josh Small 108.5 James Tuck 100.5 Theo Feroiu 90 David Mills 88 Ricky Foley 79.5 Emerson Morassutti 77.5 Robin Legault
2007-11 2011-15 2008-12 20122010-13 2006-10 2006-08 2003-05 20112003-07
CAREER PASSING YARDS 5324 Billy Barbosa 4379 Bart Zemanek 4259 Mike Foster 3929 Tino Iacono 3755 Myles Gibbon 3719 Parry Apostolopoulos 3046 Marcello Lio 2719 Adam Karlsson 2458 Gerry Verge 2144 Nick Coutu
1998-02 2002-06 1976-80 1981-85 2012-13 1990-94 1991-93, 1995-96 1986-87, 1991 1971-74 2008-11
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
1999-03 1998-02 1992-96 2000-04 1993-97 1986-87 1976-79 1971-73 1981-85 1981-85
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 975 Jonelle Tolbert
1993-97 2009-13 1971-73 1998-01 1972-75 1990-94 1993-97 2002-06 1979-82 2006, 2010-12
Active players in bold
SPECIAL TEAMS 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
CAREER KICKOFF RETURN YARDS 1444 Andre Batson 982 Paul Hilario 906 Clinton John 818 Joe Pariselli 796 Neil Palgarno 776 Jeff Johnson 699 P.J. Edgeworth 566 Greg McDonald 544 Paul Forbes 534 Bill Hatanaka
1993-97 1989-92 2000-04 1981-85 1980-82 1996-99 1990-94 1987-88 1971-74 1972-75
YORK LIONS
FORMER PLAYERS IN THE CFL JAMAL CAMPBELL
JAMES TUCK
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
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 2015 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.
ANDRE DURIE TORONTO ARGONAUTS Andre Durie (2003-05) is the greatest running back ever to don a York jersey. He holds numerous school records, including most rushing yards in a single season (1367 in 2004) and most touchdowns both in one game (six) and one season (16). His career average of 9.1 yards per carry is three more than any other player in the program’s history, and throughout his career he was twice an OUA all-star as well as a CIS first-team all-Canadian in 2004. He has since made a name for himself with the Argos as a standout receiver. He scored the final touchdown in the Grey Cup in 2012 and in 2011, he was named the recipient of the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award, which is given to a CFL player who best demonstrates the attributes that have always defined Canada’s veterans: strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contribution to Canadian communities.
RICKY FOLEY TORONTO ARGONAUTS 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 Roughriders the following season and in 2015 was traded back to his hometown Argos.
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 after a tremendous performance at the Toronto regional combine, which earned him an invitation to the CFL’s national combine in April. He was selected in the fourth round (31st overall) by the Montreal Alouettes in 2014 and in 2016 was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to play on special teams and at fullback.
FORMER PLAYERS DRAFTED INTO / PLAYED IN THE CFL Andre Batson
Ricardo Hudson
Rob Palmer
Mike Benevides
Les Huggins
Robin Panzer
Donovan Brown
Peter Janiuk
Frank Paradiso
Jamal Campbell
Leonard Jean-
Joe Pariselli
Andre Clarke
Pierre
Jerry Philip
Dave D’Onofrio
Eric Jensen
George Psofimis
Steve Delzotto
Jeff Johnson
Mike Raymond
Andre Durie
Mike Joyce
John Reid
Ricky Foley
Doug Kitts
Warren Robinson
Anthony Forgione
Chris Kolankowski (current)
Darryl Sampson
Sean Foudy Neil Fraser George Ganas Devon Hanson Bob Harding John Harris Bill Hatanaka Frank Hoffmann Mark Hopkins Mark Houlder
Dirk Leers Rick Lococo Craig Lorimer Dave Maganja Joe Marchildon Dennis Mavrin Peter Muketo Brian Nugent John O’Brien
Eric Sanderson Paul Sheridan Steve Shubat Rick Slipetz James Tuck Doug Ward Nord Williams Trevor Williams Jamie Williamson
FOOTBALL 2016 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 part-time 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.
JOIN THE PRIDE 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 student-athletes, 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 high-performance 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. 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
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.
CONGRATULATIONS TOM & JESSE ON YOUR 2015 MAJOR AWARDS! TOM NORWELL
JESSE AMANKWAA
GINO FRACAS AWARD RECIPIENT AS CIS ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR, FIRST IN YORK HISTORY
OUA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, FIRST FROM YORK SINCE 1996