Josh Oakes from STU Men’s Soccer made Tommies history this season by being named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year.

Oakes, originally from Kitchener, ON, had a season for the ages, leading the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association in scoring with 13 goals in 12 regular season games as the Tommies completed a third straight unbeaten regular season with a 10-0-2 (W-L-T) record. Defensively, Oakes contributed to nine shutouts on the season as the Tommies outscored opponents 49-7 overall.

“It’s incredible that somebody from centre back led the league in goals,” said STU Tommies Soccer Head Coach John-Ryan Morrison. “Thirteen goals in 12 games is an incredible record. He’s more than deserving of player of the year and national player of the year. He’s in the right place at the right time; he’s aggressive in the 18-yard box, and he loves to score.”

Oakes credits his team for his success.

“They found me,” he said. “Most of my goals were headers on set pieces, and I was there at the right time.”

Oakes, who studies Criminology and Criminal Justice at STU, keeps his skills fresh throughout the Tommies’ off-season. He’s played the last two outdoor summer seasons with FC Berlin, a Buffalo, NY-based team in the United Premier Soccer League, where he and former Tommies star Brett Springer are teammates.

CCAA Player of the Year

Oakes was awarded the Player of the Year title at the CCAA Championships in Windsor, ON, where he became the first Tommie—in any sport—to receive the title.

Oakes said as he stood onstage as part of the All-Canadian Team, he could hardly believe it when his name was announced as Player of the Year.

“It was shocking, honestly. I wish all my teammates and my family could have been there.”

Becoming a Tommie

Coming out of high school, Oakes caught the attention of a dozen schools in Canada and the US. He made only one visit—to STU.

“I saw how the city was, the teammates, the culture—I really enjoyed it. I went home and said, ‘Mom, I’m going here. Good program, good school, good soccer.’”

Oakes said his mother, Jennifer, has been a constant support and inspiration for him to be his best.

“She supports me in everything I do. She took me to soccer games in Toronto, an hour away on a Thursday night, and took me to practices. She’s awesome.”

Keeping Up the Momentum

The Tommies have gone unbeaten through three regular seasons, 30-6 overall. In his first season, Oakes was the team’s Rookie of the Year. He’s been an ACAA All-Star all three years, capping it off with the ACAA Most Valuable Player Award this season and, of course, the CCAA Player of the Year.

The Tommies will host the national championship tournament next year on the turf at the Grant-Harvey Centre, November 6–9, 2024.

Oakes said he’d like to wrap up his career with a medal on home turf.

“That would be the icing on the cake.”