Record 33 Tommies Named CCAA National Scholars
Thirty-three St. Thomas University Tommies were named CCAA National Scholars for the 2022-23 academic year – a new record number.
The CCAA National Scholar Award recognizes the outstanding academic accomplishments of student-athletes. To be recognized, a student-athlete must achieve honours standing at their institution in the current academic year.
Madison Ball (women’s volleyball) and Matthew Oprea (men’s soccer) were two of the student athletes to be recognized. Both students admit it can be challenging to find a balance between academics and athletics. “It takes hard work, discipline and good time-management skills and I have a lot of respect for all student athletes,” Ball says. “You make sacrifices to succeed as both a student and an athlete.”
Ball spends an upwards of 15 hours a week at practices or workouts, 15 hours in classes, many hours doing homework and studying for those courses, and then attends games every weekend. “It feels like you have two full-time jobs,” she says.” “But it's also very rewarding and I’m appreciative to have the opportunity to be able to play the sport I love with the best teammates.” "It is important to me to be recognized as a CCAA National Scholar as it highlights the hard work and dedication I’ve put into being both a full-time student and athlete,” Oprea says.
“I have faced many adversities with balancing academics and athletics but have been able to succeed in both aspects."
Eric Moffatt, Acting Director of Athletics, congratulated the scholars on this achievement.
“Student athletes juggle many responsibilities,” he says. “They’re students first, but we still expect them to give it their all on the field, trails, or court. They are also ambassadors who represent the university when they are wearing their uniform. Balancing all these responsibilities and being named a CCAA National Scholar is a huge achievement, and we are very proud of our Tommies.”
With the addition of this year’s 33 award recipients, the Tommies have now had 404 CCAA National Scholar awards since 2004-05.
CCAA National Scholars for 2022-23
Luke Ewen, Soccer
Nikolas Landry, Soccer
Matteo Neves, Soccer
Chidubem Nkoloagu, Soccer
Matthew Oprea, Soccer
Nicholas Reis, Soccer
Brett Springer, Soccer
Sydney Conrad, Soccer
Kaitlynne Benjamin, Soccer
Avery Erb, Soccer
Olivia Fillmore, Soccer
Jazmyne Lebel, Soccer
Jazmyne McLaughlin, Soccer
Amanda McNally, Soccer
Jayci Peck, Soccer
Ciera Meredith, Soccer
Grace Christie, Basketball
Charlee Connors, Basketball
Emma Connors, Basketball
Emily Owens, Basketball
Kathleen Quinlan, Basketball
Ava Prosser, Basketball
Vanessa Soffee, Basketball
Samantha Stordy, Basketball
Katie Vidito, Basketball
Alex Frederickson, Volleyball
Adam McDougall, Volleyball
Brendan Murphy, Volleyball
Noah Tulk, Volleyball
Madison Ball, Volleyball
Danica Godin, Volleyball
Lauren Moerike, Volleyball
Ethan Nylen, Cross-Country Running