Spaling and Galea named UOIT Athletes of the Year

Men's Hockey captain Nathan Spaling (Drayton, Ontario) and women's rowing/squash standout Shannon Galea (Oshawa, Ontario) have been named the 2010-2011 University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Athletes of the Year. The awards were presented at UOIT's fifth annual Athletic Banquet on March 31 at the General W. Sikorski Polish Veterans Association Hall in Oshawa as student-athletes, coaches and contributors were honoured for their outstanding accomplishments throughout the varsity sports season.

"What a great honour for two outstanding and deserving individuals," said Ken Babcock, UOIT athletic director. "To be named the overall athlete of the year is an unbelievable accomplishment that shows their hard work and dedication to UOIT athletics."

A fourth-year Criminology student, Spaling becomes the first UOIT athlete to win back-to-back Male Athlete of the Year Awards.

Spaling was named the third captain in UOIT history and was the Ridgebacks top scorer this season with 26 points, leading the Ridgebacks back to the postseason. He is UOIT's all-time leading scorer with 91 career points and has played in every game in Ridgebacks men's hockey history. He was also an all-academic and leadership award winner with the men's hockey team.

His season was topped off with his nomination for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Randy Gregg award which is presented annually given to the player who best exhibits outstanding achievement in hockey, academics and community involvement.

Spaling also was awarded the James-Baun Cup for the second straight year, along with first-time recipient women's hockey assistant captain Jill Morillo (Whitby, Ontario). The award was presented by Toronto Maple Leafs legend Bobby Baun. The James-Baun Cup is presented to a student-athlete on the men's and women's hockey teams who show commitment, dedication, perseverance, academic responsibility, leadership and is a great teammate in the pursuit of excellence.

Galea, a first-year Education student was recognized as the UOIT Female Athlete of the Year. Galea was a member of the Ridgebacks women's novice eight crew which went on to win the first Ontario University Athletics (OUA) medal in UOIT's rowing program history, earning bronze at the provincial championship. Leading up to the OUA championship, the women's novice eight crew won gold medals at the University of Guelph and Brock University Invitationals.

Galea didn't only excel at rowing, as she became the first student to represent UOIT at the OUA Squash Championship in March. She was also the women's rowing top GPA award winner and was selected as UOIT's representative for the OUA Woman of Influence Award. Her extracurricular activities on campus include her involvement on the Ridgebacks rowing executive and co-ordinator of the extramural women's flag football team.

Rower Lauren Dares (Whitby, Ontario) was the recipient of the inaugural Rob Millikin Award, which was presented by Christina Millikin, daughter of UOIT's founding rowing head coach Rob Millikin who passed away earlier this year. The award was created in Rob's honour and is awarded to the varsity athlete who best exemplifies and displays academic success, passion and heart. The award will be presented annually as part of the rowing program.

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