FOOTBALL
2018 YEARBOOK
GENERAL Welcome back to another exciting season of York University football! In 2017 we celebrated the 50th season of football at York and the 51st season in 2018 is poised to be another thrilling ride. From the time Grey Cup-winning quarterback Nobby Wirkowski established the program in 1968 to the current team under the leadership of head coach Warren Craney, football has anchored the fall sports landscape at York and provided countless memories for our students, faculty and staff. We look forward to seeing all of our York community members filling the stands at Alumni Field once again this season. Under Coach Craney’s guidance, the Lions had a productive off-season adding talented players to both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The addition of the 2018 recruiting class combined with the return of some of the most talented players this program has ever seen, has the Lions primed to make a splash this season in the OUA standings. Coach Craney also made some changes to his coaching staff in the offseason adding recruiting coordinator and tight end coach Matt Deans and offensive line coach Matt Sewell to our Lions family. Matt Deans is a former Lions wide receiver who was on the roster for five seasons from 2010-14, while Matt Sewell is a former Vanier Cup champion with the McMaster Marauders who also played three seasons in the CFL. Both of them bring excellent knowledge and experience to the coaching staff and I am looking forward to seeing them beside Coach Craney on the sidelines. Our home schedule features an exciting slate of games and will kick-off in Week 1 against the Queen’s Gaels in one of the first games on the OUA schedule this season. Our next home date will be a Friday night frosh week game against the Windsor Lancers in Week 3, followed by our annual Homecoming weekend game against the Waterloo Warriors in Week 6. Our Homecoming festivities are always a highlight of the season and will feature prize giveaways and special attractions for all the students and returning alumni in attendance. Our last home game of the 2018 season will take place on Senior Day in Week 8 against the Carleton Ravens, where we will honour the graduating class of players on the field before the game. Senior Day is always an exciting and rewarding experience for all of our students, coaches, and parents and is one of my personal highlights every season. Our Lions players will also be sporting a new look this season as we’ve recently launched a new Lions logo that will take us into the next era of athletics and recreation at York. We think our new logo is a powerful new look that will resonate with our students and York community members and I can’t wait for our football team to debut the new logo on their helmets in Week 1. 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 2018 season!
Jennifer Myers Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation
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YORK LIONS
INFO
QUICK FACTS Name: York University Location: Toronto, Ontario Founded: 1959 Enrolment: 55,000 Nickname: Lions Colours: Red & White Field: Alumni Field Capacity: 5,000 Conference: Ontario University Athletics (OUA) President & Vice Chancellor: Dr. Rhonda Lenton ADMINISTRATION Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation: Jennifer Myers Director, Business Development: Duke Dickson Associate Director, Athletics: Gillian McCullough Manager, Varsity Athletics – High Performance & Alumni Engagement: Bart Zemanek Manager, Varsity Athletics – Leadership & Community Outreach: Hailey Milligan-Jones Manager, Facilities Administration: Jonathan Cevallos Manager, Sport Medicine: Andrea Prieur Manager, Marketing, Communications & Corporate Sponsorships: Tricia Wyles Manager, Event Operations: Michael Bianchi Senior Development Officer, Athletics: Rahim Dharamsi SUPPORT STAFF Coordinator, Equipment Services: Geoff Carson Representative, Equipment Services: Nathaniel Griffith Coordinator, Athlete Services: Katie Robinson Administrative Coordinator: Lillian Chan Coordinator, Sport Information: Frank Christie Coordinator, Promotions & Game Day Experience: Kim Servinis Digital Media Assistant: Mike Dahiroc Coordinator, Facility Operations: Manny Troitino MEDICAL STAFF Assistant Manager, Sport Injury Clinic: Tracy Meloche Supervisor, Outdoor Sports and Head Football Therapist: Brittney Enright-Blount Orthopedic Surgeons: Dr. Rick Zarnett, Dr. Jacqueline Auguste 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
2018
AUG. 26
SEP. 3
SEP. 7
SEP. 15
SCHEDULE
SEP. 22
SEP. 29
OCT. 12
OCT. 20
WEEK 1 - Sun. Aug. 26, 1pm vs. QUEEN’S GAELS HOME OPENER Head coach: Pat Sheahan (18th season) Colours: Blue, Red, Gold Home field: Richardson Stadium (10,258) 2017 result: York 34 at Queen’s 52 2017 record: 4-4 (6th OUA, Quarterfinalist)
WEEK 3 - Fri. Sep. 7, 6pm vs. WINDSOR LANCERS FROSH FEST Head coach: Joe D’Amore (8th season) Colours: Blue, Gold Home field: Alumni Field (10,000) 2017 result: York 27 at Windsor 43 2017 record: 1-7 (9th OUA)
WEEK 5 - Sat. Sep. 22, 1pm at OTTAWA GEE-GEES Head coach: Jamie Barresi (6th season) Colours: Garnet, Grey Home field: Gee-Gees Field (3,400) 2017 result: Ottawa 26 at York 17 2017 record: 5-3 (4th OUA, Quarterfinalist)
WEEK 7 - BYE
WEEK 2 - Mon. Sep. 3, 1pm at GUELPH GRYPHONS Head coach: Todd Galloway (1st season) Colours: Red, Black, Gold Home field: Alumni Stadium (8,500) 2017 result: Did not play 2017 record: 5-3 (5th OUA, Semifinalist)
WEEK 4 - Sat. Sep. 15, 1pm at WESTERN MUSTANGS Head coach: Greg Marshall (12th season) Colours: Purple, White Home field: TD Stadium (8,000) 2017 result: Western 66 at York 3 2017 record: 8-0 (1st OUA, Yates Cup champions)
WEEK 6 - Sat. Sep. 29, 5pm vs. WATERLOO WARRIORS HOMECOMING Head coach: Chris Bertoia (4th season) Colours: Black, Gold Home field: Warrior Field (5,700) 2017 result: York 8 at Waterloo 52 2017 record: 4-4 (7th OUA)
WEEK 9 - Sat. Oct. 20, 1pm at TORONTO VARSITY BLUES Head coach: Greg Marshall (1st season) Colours: Blue, White Home field: Varsity Stadium (5,000) 2017 result: Toronto 16 at York 41 2017 record: 1-7 (11th OUA)
WEEK 8 - Fri. Oct. 12, 1pm vs. CARLETON RAVENS SENIOR DAY Head coach: Steve Sumarah (6th season) Colours: Scarlet, White, Black Home field: MNP Park (3,500) 2017 result: Did not play 2017 record: 3-5 (8th OUA)
2018 FOOTBALL
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OUTLOOK
Heading into the 2018 season, head coach Warren Craney believes this team’s roster is the best one he’s assembled during his tenure at York. A talented offensive unit with veteran players who are entering their upper years in the program will be joined this season by another strong recruiting class. This combination has the Lions ready to prove themselves against the top teams in the OUA this year. “This is a team that, with the weapons we have on offense, we need to be a playoff team,” says Craney. “We have the talent up and down the lineup to make it to the playoffs. We’re coming off a 1-7 season and our expectations are that we are going to flip that record completely on its head.” After a tough early schedule last season and injuries to key players throughout the roster, the Lions got off to a slow start in the standings and were unable to recover. They played much better during the second half of the season and Craney hopes the work they’ve done in training camp will result in them coming out of the gates strong and carrying that momentum throughout the year. “Training camp has been fantastic,” says the coach when asked how the team has fared during the pre-season. “We had four really good days to begin camp at York and then jumped on a bus and spent six days in Montreal, which is something we’ve never done before. The trip was a great opportunity for us to bond as a family which was my biggest goal, and I think we really grew as a team and now we can’t wait for the season to begin.” The strength of the Lions squad this year will once again be their proficient offense. They will be led by fourth-year quarterback Brett Hunchak, who enters the season ready to re-write the York record books. He is currently ranked second all-time in passing yards (4,832), fourth in touchdown passes (23), second in completions (385) and fourth in attempts (644). A productive 2018 season could see him break all of those records and become the most decorated York quarterback in team history. Hunchak will have no shortage of offensive weapons to work with this year, led by his brother Colton Hunchak. The younger Hunchak had a frustrating 2017 season that saw him miss the first five games of the year after being sidelined by an injury in the pre-season. He returned to the lineup for Week 6 and immediately began filling the stat sheet, picking up 29 catches for 329 receiving yards and six touchdowns in just three games played. With health no longer a concern, Hunchak enters the season as one of the top receiving threats in all of U SPORTS. He will be joined by speedy receivers Alex Daley and Kadeem Hemmings as two more deep threats on the Lions roster. Daley started six games for the Lions last season and picked up 25 catches for 329 yards and two touchdowns, while Hemmings finished third in the OUA in all-purpose yards (1,181). Tight end Nikola Kalinic, who was named an OUA second-team all-star for the first time last season, also returns to the Lions lineup for his fourth season with the team and is an important and versatile piece in Craney’s offense.
The backfield will be led by reigning York male athlete of the year Kayden Johnson. The dual sport athlete who also stars on the Lions track & field team has averaged 5.4 yards per carry over the last two seasons and will be counted on the carry a heavy load out of the backfield this season. The Lions offensive line figures to be a strength of the team this season, despite losing senior Chris Smith who was drafted by the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders last year. Fifth-year lineman Anthony Dinardo returns and will play a key role as the most-senior member of the unit. He’ll be joined by second-year players Chavaughn Barrett and Aarmin Purewal, who both impressed in their rookie seasons, and first-year Caleb Palmateer who projects to be an effective OUA player in his university career. Craney expects the offense to pick up where it left off last season. “Right now we’re built as an offensive football team,” says Craney on his team’s strengths. “Most of our weapons are on offense and I believe we have one of the best quarterbacks in the country on our team in Brett Hunchak. We also have a lot of talent on our offensive line, a ton of skill at the receiver position, and the reigning 60m U SPORTS hurdles champion as our starting running back. We’re going to be a handful to deal with on offense this season.” On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions will be looking to improve off of last year’s performance in defensive coordinator Sammy Okpro’s second year with the team. Okpro has some talented returning players to work with, including defensive back Jacob Janke who has battled the injury bug over the last two seasons but enters the season in full health and looking to lead the Lions young secondary. He will be joined in the secondary by a trio of impressive second-year players in Kadeem Thomas, Desi Dixon, and OUA all-rookie team member Daniel Logalle. Fifth-year senior Brett Colangelo will also be counted on to provide leadership for the young Lions secondary as he enters his final year with the team. The Lions defensive line features stand out Rossini Sandjong-Djabome, who was named an OUA second-team all-star last season after being named to the all-rookie team in 2016. Fellow third-year linemen Reid Jeffs and Jamian Rush will also be important members of the defensive line with two years of OUA play now under their belts, and rookie Dylan Benn is a high-ceiling player who has the potential to step into the lineup and contribute this season. Behind the defensive line, the linebackers are led by senior Ian Lawrence who paced the team last season with 45.5 total tackles. Lawrence will be joined by veterans Alexei Brazeau and Damian Jamieson, who combined for 37.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season and will be relied on heavily this season to steady the linebacking corps. With a deep and powerful offense and an improving defense the Lions are ready to push for the playoffs this season and turn a few heads around the league in the process.
“
THIS IS A TEAM THAT, WITH THE WEAPONS WE HAVE ON OFFENCE, WE NEED TO BE A PLAYOFF TEAM
WARREN
CRANEY ON EXPECTATIONS
2018 FOOTBALL
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YORK LIONS
HEAD
coach WARREN CRANEY 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).
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 while back home Kennedy is a student at York, Ethan is in ninth grade and Quinn is in grade two. The coach won’t be the only Craney on the Lions roster this season, as son Noah joins the team for his rookie season at the quarterback position.
He was also part of the coaching staff 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.
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ASSISTANT KAMAU PETERSON
SAMMY OKPRO
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.
Sammy Okpro was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Lions in 2017 and was reunited with head coach Warren Craney, under whom he played for four years at Concordia University.
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
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.
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 all-star team and earned MVP honours in the gold medal game.
MARCELLO LIO
Matthew Sewell joins the Lions staff this season to coach the offensive line. Sewell recently retired from a pro career that saw him play three seasons in the CFL. He was drafted in the first round, eighth overall by the Toronto Argonauts in 2013 and played two years with the club starting in 2014 before being traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the 2016 season. Sewell was also signed to contract by the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and was a part of their off-season practice squad in 2013.
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.
Sewell spent his university career with the McMaster Marauders and played five seasons with the school, helping them win the 47th Vanier Cup in 2011.
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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.
MATT SEWELL OFFENSIVE LINE
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DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
QUARTERBACKS
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 studentathletes 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.
coaches BARRY KLIMAS RUNNING BACKS
Barry Klimas re-joins the Lions coaching staff this season. He previously coached with the Lions from 2010-16 and has worked with student-athletes on both offence and defence. 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.
MATT DEANS
RECRUITING COORDINATOR / TIGHT ENDS Matt Deans returns to the York campus this season as the recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach for the Lions football team. Deans was with the Lions as a wide receiver from 2010-14 and graduated with a history degree and minor in political science. Deans comes to the team with a strong résume of coaching experience that includes stints as offensive coordinator with the OVFL’s Etobicoke Eagles from 2011-14 and Newmarket Bucs in 2015. He was also the wide receivers’ coach at Maxmilian Kolbe H.S. from 2016-17 and graduated with a master’s degree in coaching from Ohio University in 2017.
NATHANIEL GRIFFITH
ROY VENIER
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).
Roy Venier joined the Lions coaching staff in 2013, returning to the program where he spent four seasons as a player.
OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT
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.
KICKERS
He remains the top kicker 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.
TOM NORWELL
STEFANO CONTE
Tom Norwell has been the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for the York football program since 2010.
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.
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH
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).
DEFENSIVE LINE
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.
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).
2018 FOOTBALL
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ASSISTANT JOSH SMALL
AARON WOLSKI
Former Lion Josh Small joins the staff this season as the DB coach. Small played in 38 of 40 possible games in his Lions career recording 153.5 total tackles, four sacks and five interceptions. He participated in the 2015 East West Bowl was named the team’s Frank Cosentino MVP Trophy award recipient in 2014, as well as the Jeff Johnson Rookie of the Year in 2012. He finished his five-year career with the Lions after the 2016 season.
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.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Small participated in football and track and field at Pickering H.S. and was team captain of both his high school and club football teams. He comes from an athletic family as his uncles Anthony Small (University of Nebraska) and Chris Howell (Illinois State University) were both varsity track and field athletes in the NCAA.
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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.
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2018 FOOTBALL
11
PLAYER In a lineup of seven Ontario University Athletics (OUA) athletes, Kayden Johnson stands out from the ranks at the University of Windsor’s Can Am Meet. Standing at 6-foot-3, his presence is felt at the sprinting blocks. The athletes take their marks, and with the start gun, Johnson bursts out ahead of the other runners, his long hair flying behind him as he breezes the 60 metres to the finish line. He takes the gold medal in a time of 8.21 seconds. That’s the winter version of Kayden Johnson. The fall version, the one who straps on the pads and mans the backfield for the Lions, is one of the most important players on the Lions football roster. The dual-sport star has rushed for 759 yards over two seasons with Lions, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. He’s also caught 16 passes out of the backfield for 226 yards and added another touchdown. Johnson has found a balance and achieved the type of success in two sports that few athletes in York history have managed to pull off. Even before his university career began, Johnson has balanced both football and track at an elite level — even throwing basketball into the mix before narrowing his focus in high school. On the football side, he represented Canada in back-to-back U19 International Bowls and represented his home province Saskatchewan in the Football Canada Cup. In track, he placed fifth in the decathlon at the Pan American junior championships wearing the Canadian uniform. So, naturally, when university came calling — initially with the Saskatchewan Huskies — Johnson committed to both varsity programs. In 2015, he made the move to his current home at York University, joining both the track & field and football teams at the Toronto campus. Since then, he has been a staple on both teams. Last track & field season, Johnson established himself as one of the best hurdlers in
PROFILE
the country, winning OUA and U SPORTS gold medals in the 60m hurdles and three times recording a time under eight seconds, the only hurdler to accomplish this feat even once last year. How does he make two varsity sports work? For some, two programs may seem like a hard balance. But for Johnson, it’s all he’s ever known. “I’ve never done just one sport, so doing multiple sports is all I know and I love it and I have big dreams in both sports — I’d like to go as far as I can in both,” said Johnson. The sports even benefit one another. As Johnson explains, the power, strength and speed from football benefit his hurdling. On the other hand, the speed he gains in track benefits his position as a running back on the football team. The cross training has paid off big time for Johnson, who was named York’s male athlete for 2017-18 adding another accomplishment to his already stacked resume.
But, being a dual-sport athlete also comes with some challenges, which Johnson admits. The social aspect of competing in two seasons can be tough, he says, especially when considering his teammates on the gridiron. “During the season I see (the football team) all the time, but during track season I don’t see them as much,” he explains. “It’s just about me making the effort to stay connected with them.” As if that wasn’t enough, he is the only Lions varsity athlete who is majoring in theatre — a program that comes with the added workload of performances and rehearsals. To date, he has been in several plays on campus including Moss Park and Angels in America. Johnson does benefit from the flexibility of the theatre program though, as he is able to switch around his rehearsals when he is competing or training. That said, the Lion isn’t fazed by his to-do list; in fact, all three passions still feature in his career goals going forward. “I’d definitely like to play professional football — CFL or NFL — and then I’d like to be an Olympic hurdler as well,” Johnson says, adding he also wants to pursue an acting career in film or television. Big dreams, and all still a possibility. The 2019 CFL draft may be his first opportunity to knock one of them off the list too.
12
YORK LIONS
KEY
VETS
64 CHAVAUGHN
BARRETT
• Appeared in four games last year before an injury cut short his rookie season • 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
67 ANTHONY
DINARDO
• Has appeared in 30 games with the Lions over his first four seasons on the offensive line and started 26 • Named the recipient of the team’s Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year award last season • Starred on the football team at King City S.S. in high school and earned York Region all-star honours in 2012 and was named the team’s top lineman that same year.
85 ALEX
DALEY
• Started six games at receiver in 2017 and ranked fourth on the team in total receptions (25) and tied for second in receiving yards (329) • Scored two touchdowns, one against Toronto and one against Queen’s. Also had nine kick returns for 136 yards and 18 punt returns for 163 yards last season • Ranked fourth in the OUA and fifth in U SPORTS in all-purpose yards (1,156) in rookie season
12 BRETT
HUNCHAK
• Ranked fifth in the OUA in passing yards with 1795, fourth in completions (149) and attempts (245) last season. Also threw nine touchdown passes. • Ran for 215 yards on 34 rushes and added a pair of rushing touchdowns, one each against Laurier and Windsor. • Currently ranked second all-time in passing yards (4,832), fourth in touchdown passes (23), second in completions (385) and fourth in attempts (644) in York history. • Earned York’s Leonard Jean-Pierre W21 Offensive MVP Award in 2016 • Participated in the Calgary training camp as part of the CIS-CFL quarterback development program in 2016 and joined Edmonton for the same program in 2017
2018 FOOTBALL
13
KEY
5 COLTON
HUNCHAK
• Started only three games last year after missing the first five with an injury sustained in the pre-season • Amassed 29 catches for 329 receiving yards, averages of 9.6 and 109.7 per game. Tied for second in OUA with six touchdowns, including three against Queen’s and two against Laurier, tied for the second most in a season in York history • OUA West second-team all-star in 2016 and an OUA all-rookie team in 2015 • Earned the team’s Leonard Jean-Pierre W21 Offensive MVP trophy in 2017 and York’s Frank Cosentino Team MVP Award in 2016
21 KAYDEN
JOHNSON
• Played in all eight games at running back last season and had 56 rushes for 270 yards, including 11 carries for 124 yards against Queen’s in his best game of the season • Tied for fifth in the OUA in yards per rush (5.8) and was 10th in total rushes (85) and rushing yards (489) in 2016 • Represented Canada at back-to-back U19 International Bowls in 2014 and 2015 • Also a member of the Lions track and field team, winning U SPORTS and OUA gold medals in the 60m hurdles last season
14
YORK LIONS
30 DAMIAN
JAMIESON
• Appeared in seven games and started four at linebacker last season • Ranked eighth on the team with 19 total tackles, including four for a loss of 21 yards. Also had 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. • Played in seven games as a rookie linebacker in 2016 and recorded 5.5 tackles, one forced fumble, two pass break-ups and one block • Earned York’s Andre Durie Special Teams MVP Trophy
92 REID
JEFFS
• Played in all eight games on the defensive line last season and recorded five tackles and one pass break-up. • Appeared in all eight games as a rookie defensive lineman in 2015. Recorded 12 tackles on the season and finished third on the Lions in sacks (two). Also finished tied for third in tackles for loss (four) and third in lost yards (21).
VETS
84 NIKOLA
KALINIC
74 AARMIN
PUREWAL
• Named an OUA second-team all-star for the first time last season. Started all eight games at tight end and recorded seven catches for 58 yards • Earned the team’s Andre Durie Special Teams MVP Award • Has played in all 24 games during his time at York, recording 26 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns over his career • Represented Canada at the 2016 U19 International Bowl in Texas.
• Started all eight games on the offensive line at right tackle in first season with the Lions. • 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
8 ROSSINI
32 KADEEM
SANDJONG-DJABOME • Started all eight games at defensive end last season and earned OUA second-team all-star honours for the first time • Ranked third in the OUA in tackles for loss (12) for an OUA-leading 68 yards lost and tied for ninth in the OUA with four sacks. Also ranked second on the team and 21st in the OUA with 37 tackles and added two fumble recoveries and two pass break-ups • Earned the team’s Nobby Wirkowski Defensive MVP Award. • Earned OUA all-rookie team honours in 2016
THOMAS
• Played in six games as a rookie defensive back • Spent some time as a returner and had five punt returns for 112 yards, including a thrilling 50-yard touchdown against Carleton • Recorded 12 tackles, including one tackle for loss
2018 FOOTBALL
15
KEY VANIER COLLEGE ROOKIES
JARRETT
DARNEL
NOAH
2 CRANEY
10 • Dangerous running back with athleticism and breakaway speed • Spent two years at Vanier College in CEGEP and rushed for 738 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Also caught five passes for 41 yards out of the backfield. • Named OVFL all-star in 2015 • Former member of Team Ontario
• Quarterback with a lot of potential and a strong throwing arm • Played at Vanier College in CEGEP the last two seasons and helped lead them to a 7-2 regular season record in 2017. Threw for 700 yards and five touchdowns last year • Team MVP with the York Region Lions of the OVFL in 2017 • Suited up for Team Central Varsity at the Ontario prospects challenge in 2016 • Son of head coach Warren Craney
16
YORK LIONS
MATT
DYLAN
22 DEAN
98 BENN • Starred with both the Pickering Dolphins and Oshawa Hawkeyes of OPFL • Played his high school football with the Donald A. Wilson Gators in Whitby
• Athletic and tough linebacker who will make an immediate impact • Won back-to-back LOSSA gold medals with the Paul Dwyer Saints in 2015 and 2016 and won the OFSAA Eastern Bowl title in 2015 • Won team defensive MVP in 2013 and was named offensive MVP last season
recruits BRANDON
GAETANO
3 OWUSU
24 MINTO • Skilled defensive back who’s skills should translate well in the OUA • Played with the Edmonton Huskies of the CJFL from 2014-17 • Recorded 42 tackles in 25 career games with the Huskies. Also picked off five passes in his four years with the team, including an interception return for a touchdown in 2016 • Selected for Alberta provincial football team in 2013
• Four-time high school champion and was captain of his team for three years from grade 10-12 • Competed in two OFSAA Bowls and was named team MVP twice in his high school career • Spent three years with the Etobicoke Eagles of the OVFL and won a championship with them in 2017.
CALEB
66 PALMATEER
• Talented offensive lineman who’s played at centre and guard • Played with the Ottawa Sooners of the CJFL from 2016-18 • Competed at Ontario prospect challenge in 2013
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YORKULIONS.CA/IAMALION 2018 FOOTBALL
17
2017
AWARD WINNERS
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: Ian Lawrence Rossini Sandjong-Djabome Tom Arnott Yeoman of the Year Award for Hard Work and Character Nobby Wirkowski Defensive MVP Trophy Alexei Brazeau Colton Hunchak Iron Lion Award Leonard Jean-Pierre W21 Offensive MVP Trophy Jamian Rush Anthony Dinardo Study Hall Award Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year Award Jeffrey Chen Nikola Kalinic Gridiron Scholar Award for Academic Excellence Andre Durie Special Teams Award Adam Adeboboye Daniel Loggale 2011OUA3875x4625COL.pdf 8/12/11 9:35:16 AM Frank Cosentino MVP Trophy / York Lions Warrior Award Jeff Johnson Rookie of the Year
18
YORK LIONS
ROSTER
70 Malachi ADLAM
Ayden AMESTOY
20 Daniel AMOAKO
54 Mohammed ANIMASHAWUN
18 Gabriel APPIAH-KUBI
OL • 6’4 • 225 • 1st Year
RB • 5’6 • 150 • 1st Year
DB • 5’11 • 175 • 2nd Year
DB • 5’10 • 160 • 1st Year
REC • 5’11 • 155 • 1st Year
Communication Studies Brampton, Ont. St. Roch C.S.S.
Communication Studies Burlington, Ont. Lester B. Pearson H.S
Financial & Business Economics Ajax, Ont. Notre Dame C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Brampton, Ont. Fletcher’s Meadow S.S.
Interdisciplinary Social Science Brampton, Ont. St. Roch C.S.S
Nicholas BAKER
64 Chavaughn BARRETT
50 Andrew BATMAN
98 Dylan BENN
Lesean BETTON
REC • 6’0 • 195 • 1st Year
OL • 6’4 • 315 • 2nd Year
LB • 6’2 • 200 • 1st Year
DL • 6’4 • 270 • 1st Year
REC • 6’0 • 170 • 1st Year
Health Management Scarborough, Ont. Don Mills C.I.
Criminology Brantford, Ont. Assumption C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Superior Heights C.V.S.
Law & Society Ajax, Ont. Donald A. Wilson S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Brampton, Ont. St. Roch C.S.S.
55 Kwadwo BOAHEN
65 Luke BORSELLA
53 Alexei BRAZEAU
42 Isaiah BROWN
76 Brandon BUMSTEAD
DL • 6’1 • 275
OL • 6’0 • 285 • 3rd Year
LB • 6’2 • 220 • 4th Year
DB • 5’11 • 175 • 3rd Year
OL • 6’4 • 300 • 1st Year
Political Science Calgary, Alta. Bishop McNally
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
Information Technology Beeton, Ont. Banting Memorial H.S.
91 Greg CAMPBELL JR.
90 Mack CHAPMAN
27 D’Andre CLARKE-BASTIEN
23 Brett COLANGELO
41 Marcus COLANGELO
DL • 6’4 • 250 • 1st Year
DL • 6’2 • 240 • 3rd Year
RB • 5’9 • 185 • 1st Year
DB • 5’9 • 180 • 5th Year
DB • 5’6 • 165 • 2nd Year
Kinesiology & Health Science Welland, Ont. Canada Prep Academy
Social Science Almonte, Ont. Almonte District H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Scarborough, Ont. Sir Wilfrid Laurier C.I.
Social Science Oakville, Ont. St. Ignatius of Loyola S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Mississauga, Ont. Our Lady of Mount Carmel S.S.
2018 FOOTBALL
19
ROSTER
2 Noah CRANEY
85 Alex DALEY
22 Matt DEAN
Bryan DEANS
60 Noah DIMATTEO
QB • 6’1 • 175 • 1st Year
REC • 6’0 • 185 • 3rd Year
LB • 6’2 • 205 • 1st Year
RB • 6’1 • 215 • 2nd Year
OL • 6’0 • 255 • 1st Year
Undecided Newmarket, Ont. Vanier College
Communication Studies Etobicoke, Ont. Thistletown C.I.
Business & Society Ajax, Ont. Paul Dwyer C.H.S.
Undecided Brampton, Ont. Deluth H.S. / Simon Fraser University
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Maple, Ont. St. Joan of Arc C.H.S.
94 Daniel DWYER
28 Talik EHOUMAN
62 San ELIBUYUK
67 Anthony DINARDO
4 Desi DIXON
OL • 6’1 • 275 • 5th Year
DB • 6’2 • 185 • 2nd Year
DT • 6’4 • 265 • 1st Year
DB • 5’9 • 165 • 2nd Year
OL • 6’2 • 255 • 1st Year
Business & Society King City, Ont. King City S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science San Diego, Calif. Morse H.S.
Geography Hamilton, Ont. St. Jean Brebeuf C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Markham, Ont. St. Brother Andre C.H.S.
Economics King City, Ont. King City S.S.
49 Joshua FERUSI
Levi FIELDS
80 James GARRISH
51 Philippe GIROUARD
Joseph GRAHAM
LB • 5’10 • 230 • 1st Year
WR • 5’9 • 170
REC • 6’0 • 170 • 1st Year
LB • 6’0 • 190 • 2nd Year
REC • 6’6 • 180 • 1st Year
Children’s Studies Welland, Ont. Blessed Trinity C.S.S.
Undecided Houston, Tex. Cypress Falls H.S.
Education Canfield, Ont. Cayuga S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Newmarket, Ont. Huron Heights S.S.
Business & Society Vaughan, Ont. Maple H.S.
96 Jackson HAIME
81 Luther HAKUNAVANHU
58 Duane HENRY
12 Brett HUNCHAK
OL • 6’3 • 320 • 3rd Year
REC • 6’4 • 195 • 2nd Year
REC • 5’7 • 160 • 2nd Year
DL • 6’3 • 246
QB • 6’4 • 195 • 4th Year
Canadian Studies Winnipeg, Man. Kelvin H.S.
Commerce Edmonton, Alta. McNally H.S.
Psychology Mississauga, Ont. St. Francis Xavier C.S.S.
Psychology Shelburne, Ont. Robert F. Hall C.S.S.
Interdisciplinary Social Science Calgary, Alta. Notre Dame H.S.
20 YORK LIONS
6 Kadeem HEMMINGS
ROSTER
5 Colton HUNCHAK
7 Jacob JANKE
HUXTER-SEARS 97 Logan
30 Damian JAMIESON
REC • 6’2 • 195 • 4th Year
DT • 6’3 • 280 • 1st Year
LB • 6’2 • 215 • 3rd Year
DB • 6’2 • 200 • 3rd Year
RB • 5’10 • 175 • 1st Year
Business & Society Calgary, Alta. Notre Dame H.S.
Psychology Ajax, Ont. Pickering H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Oakville, Ont. White Oaks S.S.
Commerce Edmonton, Alta. Glacier H.S.
Health Studies Pickering, Ont. Pickering H.S. / Vanier College
92 Reid JEFFS
21 Kayden JOHNSON
84 Nikola KALINIC
87 Dylan KAZDA
19 Eric KIMMERLY
DL • 6’3 • 245 • 3rd Year
RB • 6’3 • 220 • 4th Year
REC • 6’2 • 245 • 4th Year
REC • 6’1 • 220 • 1st Year
REC • 5’11 • 195 • 4th Year
Health & Society Mississauga, Ont. Port Credit S.S.
Sociology Kerrobert, Sask. Lutheran C.B.I. / U of Saskatchewan
Kinesiology & Health Science Toronto, Ont. Silverthorn C.I.
Health Studies Perth, Ont. Notre Dame S.S.
Sociology Oshawa, Ont. Msgr. Paul Dwyer S.S.
69 Dawson LADOUCEUR
37 Malik LANGSTON
29 Ian LAWRENCE
OL • 6’1 • 220 • 1st Year
DB • 6’1 • 180 • 5th Year
DB • 6’0 • 180 • 5th Year
DB • 6’3 • 175 • 2nd Year
Commerce Kitchener, Ont. St. Mary’s H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Brampton, Ont. St. Augustine S.S.
Environmental Studies Paris, Ont. Paris District H.S.
Business & Society Edmonton, Alta. W.P. Wagner H.S.
33 Mitchell MACKETT
14 Harrison MANCUSO
DB • 6’4 • 195 • 1st Year
QB • 6’3 • 195 • 3rd Year
K • 6’0 • 190 • 2nd Year
DE • 6’1 • 245 • 1st Year
REC • 6’3 • 195 • 1st Year
International Development Studies Thunder Bay, Ont. St. Ignatius H.S.
Business & Society Newmarket, Ont. Huron Heights S.S.
Cognitive Science London, Ont. John Paul II C.H.S.
Undecided Toronto, Ont. Salisbury H.S.
Business & Society Nobleton, Ont. King City S.S.
1
Daniel LOGGALE
15 Dante 52 Tevin MASTROGIUSEPPE MCCARTY
10 Darnel JARRETT
Bobby LOWE Health Studies York, Ont. Chaminade College School
88 Josh MENNA 2018 FOOTBALL
21
ROSTER
24 Gaetano MINTO
MOTE 83 Chris
56 Kevin MUSAI
Alexander OLAY
86 Alfred OLAY
DB • 6’1 • 205 • 1st Year
REC • 6’2 • 190 • 2nd Year
LB • 6’0 • 215 • 2nd Year
RB • 5’5 • 160 • 1st Year
REC • 5’8 • 150 • 1st Year
Undecided Athabasca, Alta. Edwin Parr C.H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Canfield, Ont. South Lincoln H.S.
Financial & Business Economics Cleveland, Ohio Lakewood H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Courtice, Ont. Holy Trinity C.S.S.
Engineering Courtice, Ont. Holy Trinity C.S.S.
Jordan OLIVIA
57 Jared OTT
3 Brandon OWUSU
66 Caleb PALMEETER
9 Rees PATERSON
LB • 6’0 • 215 • 2nd Year
DB • 5’9 • 175 • 1st Year
OL • 6’2 • 290
DB • 5’11 • 185 • 5th Year
Political Science Vaughan, Ont.
Kinesiology & Health Science Winnipeg, Man. Vincent Massey H.S.
Law & Society Toronto, Ont. Michael Power H.S.
Geography & Urban Studies Nepean, Ont. South Carleton H.S.
Sociology Sherwood Park, Alta. Archbishop Jordan C.H.S.
72 Giovanni PITOCCO
74 Aarmin Purewal
13 Alex PURVIS
61 Chase QUEWEZANCE
43 Gautham RAJENDRA
OL • 6’1 • 245 • 1st Year
OL • 6’5 • 285 • 2nd Year
QB • 6’3 • 170 • 1st Year
OL • 6’4 • 265
FB • 5’11 • 200 • 2nd Year
Business & Society Toronto, Ont. Chaminade College School
History Victoria, B.C. Mount Douglas S.S.
Professional Writing Toronto, Ont. Birchmount Park C.I.
Undecided Edmonton, Alta. Ross Sheppard H.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Markham, Ont. Markham District H.S.
11
25 Joey RICOTTONE
Rasheed ROBINSON
95 Ruben RODRIGUEZ
31 Xavier ROGERS
REC • 5’11 • 175 • 4th Year
REC • 6’3 • 205 • 4th Year
LB • 5’10 • 208 • 1st Year
DE • 6’2 • 235 • 1st Year
DB • 6’1 • 170 • 3rd Year
Law & Society Oakville, Ont. St. Ignatius of Loyola S.S.
Professional Writing Hamilton, Ont. Westdale S.S.
Business & Society Edmonton, Alta. Holy Trinity C.S.S.
Undecided San Diego, Calif. Our lady of Lourdes C.H.S.
Business & Society Brampton, Ont. Cardinal Leger S.S.
Vincent REALE
22 YORK LIONS
ROSTER
59 David ROSIC
RUCKER 35 Brady
68 Robert RUDDERHAM
93 Jamian RUSH
8 Rossini SANDJONG-DJABOME
DL • 6’1 • 190 • 1st Year
DB • 6’2 • 195 • 1st Year
OL • 6’3 • 300 • 1st Year
DL • 6’2 • 305 • 4th Year
DE • 6’2 • 235 • 3rd Year
FInancial & Business Economics Toronto, Ont. Michael Power St. Joseph H.S.
Psychology Brantford, Ont. St. John’s College
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Brampton, Ont. St. Thomas Aquinas S.S.
Biology Jackson, Missi. Terry H.S.
Business Economics Longueuil, Que. CEGEP Edouard-Montpetit
75 Kyle SMITH
34 David SPENCE
26 Brando STONE
40 Terrell THEBERGE
36 Jaden THOMAS
OL • 6’0 • 300 • 1st Year
RB • 5’6 • 175 • 1st Year
RB • 6’1 • 190 • 1st Year
DB • 5’10 • 160 • 1st Year
DB • 5’10 • 190 • 1st Year
Kinesiology & Health Science Brampton, Ont. Notre Dame S.S.
Actuarial Science Mississauga, Ont. St. Marcellinus S.S.
Criminology Mississauga, Ont. St. Marcellinus S.S.
Psychology Toronto, Ont. Birchmount Park C.I.
Psychology Oshawa, Ont. Monsignor John Pereyma C.S.S.
32 Kadeem THOMAS
16 Matt VASSOS
89 Nick VOCI
82 Derek-Christopher WILLIAMS
Denis ZAINAL
DB • 5’8 • 175 • 2nd Year
DB • 5’8 • 160 • 1st Year
REC • 6’2 • 215 • 2nd Year
REC • 6’3 • 195
LB • 1st Year
Business & Society Toronto, Ont. Central Technical School
Kinesiology & Health Science Aurora, Ont. St. Maximilian Kolbe C.H.S.
Psychology Mississauga, Ont. St. Joan of Arc C.H.S.
Anthropology San Diego, Calif. Mt. Carmel H.S.
Law & Society Mississauga, Ont.
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Pantone Solid Coated 199 C Pantone Solid Coated 5255 C
2018 FOOTBALL
23
record OFFENCE 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 1998-02 4832 Brett Hunchak 20154379 Bart Zemanek 2002-06 4259 Mike Foster 1976-80 3929 Tino Iacono 1981-85 3755 Myles Gibbon 2012-13 3719 Parry Apostolopoulos 1990-94 3046 Marcello Lio 1991-93, 1995-96 2719 Adam Karlsson 1986-87, 1991 2458 Gerry Verge 1971-74 CAREER RUSHING YARDS 3358 Jeff Johnson 1996-99 2406 Andre Durie 2003-05 1698 Joe Pariselli 1981-85 1614 Terry Douglas 1983-86 1513 Leonard Jean-Pierre 1993-95 1490 Neil Denton 1990-93 1196 George Ganas 1981-84, 1986 1195 Jesse Amankwaa 2015-17 1192 Keith Vassalo 1978-80 1149 Bryan Wheatle 2001-05 CAREER RECEIVING YARDS 2186 Andre Batson 1993-97 1708 Will Austin 2009-13 1615 Steve Ince 1971-73 1609 Brian Nugent 1998-01 1545 Adam Adeboboye 2013-17 1359 Bill Hatanaka 1972-75 1272 Colton Hunchak 20151264 P.J. Edgeworth 1990-94 1225 Remzi Veli 1993-97 1214 Ricardo Hudson 2002-06
Active players in bold
24 YORK LIONS
book
DEFENCE
SPECIAL TEAMS
CAREER TACKLES * Tracked since 2002 221 Hussein Hazime 2011-15 220 Steven Reading 2007-11 153.5 Josh Small 2012-16 127.5 Emerson Morassutti 2011-14, 2016 123.5 Michael Runowski 2012-16 122 Patrick Russell 2008-12 118 Brett Colangelo 2014118 Ian Lawrence 2014108.5 James Tuck 2010-13 100.5 Theo Feroiu 2006-10
CAREER KICKOFF RETURN YARDS 1444 Andre Batson 1993-97 982 Paul Hilario 1989-92 906 Clinton John 2000-04 818 Joe Pariselli 1981-85 796 Neil Palgarno 1980-82 792 Alex Daley 2016776 Jeff Johnson 1996-99 733 Jahmari Bennett 2014-16 699 P.J. Edgeworth 1990-94 640 Kadeem Hemmings 2017-
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
CAREER PUNT RETURN YARDS 1460 Andre Batson 1993-97 813 Clinton John 2000-04 811 Greg McDonald 1987-88 721 Neil Maki 1999-03 696 Paul Forbes 1971-74 661 Tom Kapantrias 1986-88 512 Doug Pepper 1970-72 439 Domenic Cugliari 1983-85 427 Andre Durie 2003-05 414 Bill Hatanaka 1972-75
1999-03 1998-02 1992-96 2000-04 1993-97 1986-87 1976-79 1971-73 1981-85 1981-85
FORMER
PLAYERS IN THE CFL
JAMAL CAMPBELL TORONTO ARGONAUTS
JAMES TUCK EDMONTON ESKIMOS
CHRIS KOLANKOWSKI TORONTO ARGONAUTS
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 in 2016 and is now in his third season with the team.
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. He split 2017 between the Toronto Argonauts (four games) and the Edmonton Eskimos (seven games). He has appeared in more than 40 games in his career and re-signed with Edmonton for the 2018 season before an injury during mini-camp sidelined him for the year.
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, earned a spot on the roster, and was on the field for final snap of the game when the Argos won the 2017 Grey Cup. He’s back in 2018 with the Argos for his sophomore season with the team.
FORMER YORK FOOTBALL PLAYERS DRAFTED INTO / PLAYED IN THE CFL Andre Batson John Harris Rick Lococo Mike Benevides Bill Hatanaka Craig Lorimer Donovan Brown Frank Hoffmann Dave Maganja Jamal Campbell Mark Hopkins Joe Marchildon Andre Clarke Mark Houlder Dennis Mavrin Dave D’Onofrio Ricardo Hudson Peter Muketo Steve Delzotto Les Huggins Brian Nugent Andre Durie Peter Janiuk John O’Brien Ricky Foley Leonard Jean-Pierre Rob Palmer Anthony Forgione Eric Jensen Robin Panzer Sean Foudy Jeff Johnson Frank Paradiso Neil Fraser Mike Joyce Joe Pariselli George Ganas Doug Kitts Jerry Philip Devon Hanson Chris Kolankowski George Psofimis Bob Harding Dirk Leers Mike Raymond
John Reid Warren Robinson Darryl Sampson Eric Sanderson Paul Sheridan Steve Shubat Rick Slipetz Chris Smith James Tuck Doug Ward Nord Williams Trevor Williams Jamie Williamson
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JOIN THE 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 U SPORTS. 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 300,000 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. Tentanda Via: The way must be tried.
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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. Firstyear 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.
PRIDE 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.
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 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. SPORT INJURY CLINIC 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.
Athletic Scholarships 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. 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.
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
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