University of Manitoba Bisons The Magazine

JAYDEN MCKOY

U of M’s outstanding scholar-athlete ready

for another season of challenges.

Swimmer Kimberly Moors Golfer Devon Schade

Hockey star Alanna Sharman And more...

INSIDE:

THE MAGAZINE

2015 -16 SEASON

Alumni

Visit umanitoba.ca/alumni to:

GAME ON!RECONNECT WITH YOUR ALMA MATER

Keep on top of the latest U of M news, sports, events and alumni stories.

STAY INFORMED

Learn about bene� ts and services exclusive to U of M alumni.

TAKEADVANTAGE

Explore a variety of lifelong learning opportunities, from public lecture series to degree credit courses.

CONTINUELEARNING

8.375 x 10.875”4c.125”Dec 3, 2013

ALM-00-072C.C.C.R.Bison Sports Magazine

2015-16 SEASON | UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA BISONS 3

GREETINGS

Welcome to the University of Manitoba and thank you for supporting Bison Sports. Our student athletes are among the top in the country, demonstrating leadership in sport, academics

and community engagement. In fact, our athletes consistently earn the U of M a top 10 ranking among Canada’s universities for pro-

ducing the most Academic All-Canadians (athletes who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher). Our Bison teams have won 42 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championships, and the Bison men’s football team has more alumni on the rosters of professional sports teams than any other CIS team.

Our outstanding athletes continue to give us their very best, and we are proud to offer them some of the most advanced facilities in the country in which to train and compete. We remain committed to providing them with an outstanding student experience as they shape their futures through lessons in teamwork, goal setting and time management. When we invest in their success, we see a return on and off campus.

I look forward to another outstanding season and thank all of the coaches, athletes, volunteers and everyone who empowers our Bison athletes to take their place front and centre.

Dr. David T. BarnardPresident and Vice-ChancellorUniversity of Manitoba

The 2015-16 season will provide a rich and rewarding experience for our Bison student athletes and the entire University of Manitoba community and, of course, the fans.

The landscape of interuniversity sport at the University of Manitoba has changed dramatically over the past couple of years. We have a new spectacular home for our football program. More recently, our athletes have begun their strength and conditioning programs in an equally impressive High Performance Training Room in the new Active living Centre. Thanks to the upcoming Canada Games (Summer 2017) University Stadium is undergoing renovations that will make it the premier track and field venue in Mani-toba. While new and enhanced training and competition venues are certainly important, the heart of Bi-son Sports remains with the human element. Nationally and internationally recognized coaches, support staff and legions of volunteers support student athletes at the University of Manitoba. Thanks to everyone for your commitment to sporting excellence and academic integrity at this University.

Finally, I must acknowledge the community leadership that Bison athletes and coaches demonstrate throughout the year. While training, competing and studying Bisons give back to the community through a wide variety of charitable activities. Although these acts of giving rarely receive the amount of atten-tion that Championships bring, they are certainly evidence that Bison Sports continues to cultivate a new generation of excellent young women and men. Go Bisons!

Dr. Douglas BrownDean, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation ManagementUniversity of Manitoba

Welcome and thank you for being a part of what is shaping up to be a great year in Bison Sports. Our coaches have successfully recruited some of the best talent from Manitoba, across Canada, and beyond. With the opening of the Active Living Centre our student athletes have moved from the Gritty Grotto to a state-of-the-art training facility, second to none in Canada.

We are pleased to provide our first Bison Sports magazine highlighting some of our terrific student athletes across our 9 sports and 15 teams. There are many wonderful student-athletes at U of M from different backgrounds and all with very different stories to share; these are but a few. I hope you will find them as inspiring as I do.

Our Bison teams compete at the highest level of amateur sport in our country and provide great enter-tainment for you, our fans. Please join me on the U of M campus as often as you can as we cheer on our Bisons in their quest to be the best in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). Go Bisons!

Coleen DufresneAthletic Director, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation ManagementUniversity of Manitoba

This magazine is the official sports magazine of the University of Mani-toba Bisons. This publication is edited by Scott Taylor, written by Scott Taylor and Mike Still and is designed by Ken Waterman. This magazine is published by Bison Sports at the University of Manitoba.

Any opinions expressed belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily express the views of the magazine, the publishers or the University of Manitoba. All published work is edited for accuracy, style, and clarity.

PUBLISHERS AND ADVISORS

Coleen DufresneCatherine-Grace PetersRoxanne PerryChris Zuk

EDITOR

Scott Taylor

REPORTERS/WRITERS

Mike StillScott Taylor

DESIGN

Ken Waterman

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jeff Miller/100 Acre Woods PhotographyTara Miller/100 Acre Woods PhotographyIan McCauslandJason HalsteadMike Latschislaw - Cover PhotoAdam Dolman

All Images are the property of Bison Sports at the University of Manitoba

CREDITS

4 UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA BISONS | 2015-16 SEASON

Contents

FOOTBALL Brian Dobie ...................................................... 6 Jayden McKoy ................................................. 7 David Onyemata ...........................................8-9 Bisons in the CFL .......................................10-11WOMEN’S SOCCER Bruna Mavignier ............................................ 12 Vanessa Martinez Lagunas ............................ 13

MEN’S HOCKEY Jordan DePape ..........................................14-15 Shaq Merasty ................................................. 16

WOMEN’S HOCKEY Rachel Dyck .................................................... 17 Alanna Sharman .......................................18-19MEN’S VOLLEYBALL ...........................................20-21BISONS SCHEDULE .............................................24-25WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Caleigh Dobie ................................................. 26 Ken Bentley .................................................... 27MEN’S BASKETBALL .................................................... Joseph Medrano ............................................ 28 Justus Alleyn ................................................. 29WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ............................................. Michele Hynes ..........................................30-31ALUMNI ........................................................................... Israel Idonije .................................................. 34 Desiree Scott ................................................. 36SWIMMING ...................................................................... Kimberly Moors .........................................38-39 Dillon Perron .................................................. 41TRACK & FIELD ...................................................42-43CROSS COUNTRY ........................................................ Rebekah Sass ................................................. 45GOLF Devon Schade ................................................ 46

HOST HOTEL AND PROUD SPONSOR OF

BISON SPORTS

BEST WESTERN PLUSPembina Inn & Suites1714 PEMBINA HWY. WINNIPEG


FOOTBALL

f you were to take a look at the University of Manitoba Bisons football roster, one

thing would quickly pop out: The number of recruits from outside the province of Mani-toba. As an example, in 2014, there were more than 30 and that number will continue to grow in the coming years.

When Brian Dobie was hired as head coach in 1996, the Bisons Vanier Cup drought had reached a whopping 26 years, and he knew more had to be done. One of the ways he began to turn things in the right direction for the herd was by recruiting right across the country.

“When I got hired here back in the mid-90s, there was very little national recruiting being done, and nobody was recruiting across the country,” Dobie said. “Myself and Blake Nill (who was at St. Mary’s at the time, now with UBC) started going national in a big way at about the same time.”

“That’s what turned our program and Blake’s around. There aren’t enough CIS-calibre players in Manitoba lone. We needed to recruit nationally.”

This year, Dobie has done a terrific job here at home. He has recruited a handful of the best high school players in Manitoba from 2014 including Derek Dufault (Dakota), Cassidy Obijiaku (Brandon Vincent Massey), Randy Sanderson (Sisler), Zack Williams (Winnipeg Rifles), Ethan Diakow (Oak Park) and Jared Lazarenko (Murdoch).

However, the province in which Dobie has had the most success, historically, is British Columbia. Among the early players he was able to recruit were three former Grey Cup winners, in Will Loftus (safety, Montreal), Jamie Boreham (kicker, Saskatchewan), and

Rob Stewart (lineman, Toronto/ Saskatchewan).

“You could just keep listing these B.C. guys that were star players for us in the CIS, and helped take us to our first Vanier,” explained Dobie. “Once that happened, the ball was rolling.”

One of the strongest tools Dobie has now, especially with his B.C recruits, is their ability to convince former teammates to join them in the ‘Peg.

“Certainly one of the most powerful tools you have in recruiting is players that come from areas—or even specifically from programs—in which you’re recruiting, either locally or on a national level,” commented Dobie.

“A great example is Mount Douglas guys (a powerhouse high school football team in B.C). We’ve got, I think, at least three who are all out of Mount Douglas.”

While word of mouth is critical, and having the best football facilities of any CIS school at Invetors Group Field hasn’t hurt, Dobie still goes above and beyond in his recruitment of players.

The dedication Dobie has shown in the recruitment process is evident, and it has helped the Bisons assemble one of the most well rounded, and dangerous teams in the entire CIS.

While other teams have now begun to mimic what Dobie and Nill started 20 years ago, they will always be remembered as the pioneers.

Coach Dobie takes his show on the road I

Photos by Jeff Miller

FOOTBALL

Jayden McKoy:

The kid has arrived


I f he’s not the best football player ever produced by the Winnipeg High School Football League – and he might be -- Jayden

McKoy could unmistakably be the smartest.Fact is, by the time he’s finished at the U of M, McKoy could very well be

the most gifted player in Bison history. And considering there are 11 former Bisons in the CFL this season, that’s saying a lot.

Last season, officially his first with the Bisons, he was 20th in the entire CIS with 36 solo tackles. He was second in interceptions with five, first with a fumble recovery for a touchdown and 31st in total tackles with 40. He became the team’s starting safety and this year is expected to be an All-Canadian prospect. And yet he’s still not reached his 21st birthday.

Although he is only 5-foot-11 (maybe) and although he weighs only 170 pounds (maybe), the19-year-old Engineering student can play safety, quarterback, runningback, receiver and even return kicks and punts. The kid has skills.

“He’s a unique kid,” said Bison head football coach Brian Dobie. “He’s such a great person. He was not only one of the top basketball players in the prov-ince and was recruited here to play basketball by our coach Kirby Schepp, but he was the very best football player to graduate from high school in Manitoba in 2014. And he also came out with a grade point average in the top 97 per cent. He is a leader and he has incredible integrity. He’s a very special student athlete.”

A star with the Miles Macdonnell Collegiate Buckeyes, he was the 2012 Winnipeg High School Football League’s (WHSFL) Most Outstanding Offensive Player, a member of the 2012 Potter Triple A All-Division Team and the winner of the 2012 WHSFL Harry Hood Memorial Award Winner, an honor that’s given to the top player who shows academic achievement and school citizenship and also demonstrates fair play.

He also played in the 2012 Potter Division’s ANAVETS Triple A Bowl championship game and was named Player of the Game despite a loss to St. Paul’s.

McKoy, who played quarterback for the Buckeyes, was also a wide receiver with the Manitoba under-18 provincial team that went to the Football Canada Cup in London, Ont. last summer. Not surprisingly, he was a tournament all-star.

However, what sets him apart is the fact he is not just a great athlete, he is also a tremendous student. His goal is to become an astrophysicist although he’s currently an engineering student. In fact, when not playing football or basketball, he likes to “read about physics or listen to physics podcasts.”

When coaches say they like a player because of his skills and his character, they often just hope they’re getting as much character as skill. When it comes to Jayden McKoy, Coach Dobie knows, that he’s not only getting the fastest, most skilled safety in the country, he’s getting a young man whose character can’t be questioned.

Dobie also knows that he probably has the smartest football player in the country. Not a bad combination.


FOOTBALL

David Onyemata:

You can’t miss watching the man you can’t miss

Photos by Jeff Miller, Jason Halstead and James Carey Lauder


FOOTBALL


niversity of Manitoba Bison head coach Brian Dobie believes nose tackle David Onyemata could

be “The Next One.” First there was Israel Idonije and now there is another: A huge defensive

lineman who will definitely make a great CFL player, but he very well might be the next Bison defender to

make it to The League.“We feel David is a can’t-miss CFL

player who has a very legitimate chance to be an NFL player,” said

Dobie with a straight face. “His off-season program is off the charts. This year, I guarantee, he’ll be one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the nation.“He has worked so hard on the

field to learn the game. For a couple of years he was getting by on size

and power and his athleticism and I mean athleticism. This guy is an athlete. Yeah, he’s huge and powerful, but he’s also

an athlete. He is amazingly quick and he has NFL feet. Now he just needs to take

a more cerebral approach to the game and he’s doing that.”Dobie will never forget the day David

Onyemata showed up at his office door. It was as if God himself had sent Dobie the heir to Israel

Idonije.“There was a knock on my door and when I opened it, I

saw this 6-foot-5, 320-pound monster standing in front of me and immediately said, ‘I hope you’re a football player,’” Dobie laughed. “I can’t tell you how heartbroken I was when

he said, ‘I’ve never played football in my life.’ But then he said he wanted to learn and that intrigued me.”

It’s amazing how things turn out. A year later, when the University of Manitoba Bisons took on the Calgary Dinosaurs in the 77th Hardy Cup Game at McMahon Stadium, a great big kid, a kid who had never played a down of football in his life when he showed up at Dobie’s door, was suddenly thrust into the CIS spotlight. Not surprisingly, people took notice.

“When he showed up, he was obviously big and I knew immediately he was a foreign student,” Dobie said. “We talked for a while and I sensed right away that this was a great kid, with a great heart who would put everything he had into learning the game.

“So I made him a deal. I told him that kids just don’t show up at the CIS level and play football. That just doesn’t happen. But I also knew that when we recruited Izzy (Idonije), he’d had only one year of football experience

playing stand-up rush end in a rural small-school nine-man league in Brandon. I believed David could learn.

“But I also wasn’t in a position to spend a lot of time teaching him the game. So this is the deal I made. I said, ‘You will be invited out to practice. You will not play in games. We will have a coach or an injured player or a red-shirt player start teaching you what you need you know to be a defensive lineman. You will attend every practice and you will work hard in school. If you miss a practice, that’s it. I’m not going to waste my time or anyone else’s time teach-ing you the game if you’re not going to show up everyday. Deal?’ He nodded and said we had a deal. I never expected anything to come of this experiment. To say I have been pleasantly surprised with David’s progress would be a gross understatement.

“All I can say to you is this: He’s special. He’s a really special young man. I truly believe that he will be drafted and

will easily play in the CFL and maybe, just maybe, follow Izzy to the NFL.”

Really? This is a young man who did not show up in Canada until May of 2011.

“I came from Lagos, Nigeria just to go to school,” Onyemata said. “I just wanted to leave home to go to school and take economics. And I wanted to learn to play football. Without Coach Dobie I would never have had the chance.”

Onyemata’s father is a successful Nigerian businessman. As a high school student in Nigeria, he played soccer and basketball. The only time he ever saw a North American football game came at those rare moments when the NFL was shown back home in Lagos.

“He’s special,” Dobie said. “His future is unlimited. He can be as great as he wants to be and he hasn’t shown us anything that doesn’t make me think he might be the most successful football player ever to come out of our program.”

BISONS IN THE CFL

Bison Football:

A hotbed for future CFL starsThe University of Manitoba Bison football program is now a hotbed when it comes to the development of professional football talent. There are now 11 former Bisons (an increase from six in 2013) on CFL rosters. There is a message here: Go Bison and go pro.


homas Miles had a pretty good univer-sity football career.

In fact, the University of Manitoba Bison star linebacker had such a great CIS career that he was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 Canadian Football League draft by the Toronto Argonauts.

Then he went ahead and made the Argos. His former teammate at the U of M, three-time All-Canadian Anthony Coombs, was a first-

round draft pick of the Argos in 2014 and he, too, made Toronto’s regular season Canadian Football League roster last year.

Miles and Coombs were two players who exploded onto the scene while members of the Bisons and both have said often that their experience at the U of M prepared them for the rigors of professional football.

Meanwhile, in 2015, Nic Demski was selected in the first round of the CFL draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. A former three-time All-Canadian, it was not surpising to anyone that he made the Riders.

Fact is, in this 2015 CFL season, there are 11 former Bisons on CFL rosters. That’s an increase from six in 2013 and nine in 2014.

And these guys just aren’t ON rosters. Fact is, many of them are CFL stars. Edmonton Eskimos nose tackle Eddie Steele is one of

the most dominant defensive players in the CFL. Former Bison safety, Teague Sherman, is a starter with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Winnipeg defensive end Louis Richardson is in his fourth season in the CFL while Edmonton defensive lineman Don Oramasionwu is in his seventh. And Coombs is developing into one of the most dangerous slotbacks in the league. He also plays on one of the CFL’s best teams.

Like Miles and Coombs, Teague Sherman is

a player who realized, while playing for coach Brian Dobie at the U of M, that he might one day play football professionally. In fact, Sherman recalls the moment clearly. His “wake up call” came directly from Dobie himself.

“I definitely loved playing at the U of M, but I wish I knew then, what I know now,” Sherman said recently. “When I arrived at the U of M, I didn’t really know what it took to be a CIS player nor a professional player. If I’d known going in how much work it took to realize my dream of playing pro football, I’d have done things a lot differently.

“As it turned out, after my third year Coach Dobie and Coach Pierre (defensive coordinator Stan) came to me and said that if I didn’t improve, my spot on the team might not be there in my fourth year. Coach Dobie

T


Thomas Miles

BISONS IN THE CFL

Bison Football:

A hotbed for future CFL stars

said that if I didn’t start to work harder I could throw away my dreams of playing pro ball. It was the wake up call I wish I’d had a couple of years earlier.”

Thanks to that wake up call, Teague Sherman got the work done. In fact, he did the work so well, the

Winnipeg Blue Bombers came a calling and offered him a free agent contract.

After five solid seasons at the U of M – and one major wake up call

from the head coach -- Teague Sherman is now living his football dream.

“Signing the contract with the Bombers was just overwhelming,”

Sherman said. “It’s something I’ve thought of and hoped for since the day I started playing football. When my pen hit the paper it was suddenly real. It’s hard for me to explain. Kind of mind-

blowing. But it never would have happened without Coach

Dobie and the Bisons. I owe it all to my career at the U of M -- and that

wake up call.”

2015 -16SEASON | UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA BISONS 11

Anthony Coombs

Nic Demski

Teague Sherman

WOMEN’S SOCCER

I love that we get everything we need to be a successful team. Things such as psychology sessions, nutritional sessions, athletic therapy, a great strength and conditioning room, and great coaches.

Brazilian Bruna Mavignier was a perfect fit for the Bisons

ast season, Bruna Mavignier helped make history for her head coach. By committing to the University of Manitoba

Bison women’s soccer program for the 2014-15 campaign, the Brazilian-born-and-raised Ma-vignier became the first international player to join the squad during Coach Vanessa Martinez-Lagunas’s tenure.

While Mavignier’s mere recruitment was intriguing, her background, and how she came to be a part of a team on the cold Canadian prairie are even more interesting.

Before attending Manitoba, the then 21-year old had actually never played the game of soccer. She grew up at the club and high school level playing futsal, a variant of association football, which is played mainly indoors, and on a far smaller field.

Mavignier thrived playing futsal. In 2012, she produced six goals in four games with Taça Brasil U-20 (Brazil Cup under-20). From 2008-10, she was also the captain of her high school team.

During the off-season, in preparation for 2014-15, Mavignier decided it was time to try the Canadian game, and personally reached out to Martinez-Lagunas, for a shot to become a Bison.

“Before coming to Winnipeg for the first time, I searched on the Bison women’s soccer website for coach Vanessa’s email,” Mavignier said.

“I sent her an email asking if I could do a tryout for the team. I did well in the tryout, and then I joined the team.”

Fate worked out perfectly in Manitoba’s favour, as Mavignier transitioned effortlessly to the larger, outdoor game. It ended up being a perfect fit for both parties.

Not only did Mavignier impress in her rookie season, she flat out dominated, scoring a team

leading eight goals, and providing a much-needed spark to a young Manitoba squad which had trouble finding the back of the net the previous year.

While things are definitely different from

Brazil (the weather being one thing Mavignier was quick to mention), the Brazilian sensation is enjoying her time with The Herd, and should be in for yet another strong year. With a full season under her cap, and a more experienced group around her, there is no telling how good she – and the Bisons -- will be.

“I love that we get everything we need to be a successful team,” Mavignier said. “Things such as psychology sessions, nutritional sessions, athletic therapy, a great strength and

conditioning room, and great coaches.”There is no question that the love is reciprocal.

Obviously, Martinez-Lagunas and the rest of her squad are pleased that Mavignier went online and found the found the University of Manitoba women’s soccer program last year.


L

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Manitoba’s international head coachVanessa Martinez Lagunas has a wealth of energy and experience, and her players are buying in.

I t’s hard to find someone as enthusiastic about soccer as the U of M’s women’s head coach, Vanessa Martinez Lagunas. Of course, when you

consider nothing, other than her history in the game, that’s no surprise. For one thing, Martinez Lagunas is from The Toluca, Mexico. She was a

member of Mexican women’s national team from 1999-2004 and also competed for her country at the 2001 Summer Universiade, in Beijing.

At the university level, she played for her home country until 2002, before transferring to the University of Texas, where she was a member of the Longhorns from 2002-04. While at Texas, Martinez Lagunas was on the Big 12 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll in both 2002 and 2003.

In 2007, Martinez Lagunas continued her soccer journey, travelling to Germany to play for a number of teams, including FC Bayern Munich (2007-08), Lepziger Fussball Club 07 (2008-09), and FC Lokomotive Leipzig (2009-11).

Perhaps the most important thing Matinez Lagunas ever did, however, was to take coaching courses through the U.S. Soccer Federation while she was a player.

“For me I think that was key for my development as a coach, and also my development as a player,” she said, “because when you start understanding the game as a coach, you become a better player automatically.”

Due to her extensive playing experience, Martinez Lagunas has been able to relate to the struggles her players face, both on and off the field because she’s been there herself. When she was hired as head coach of the Bisons for the 2013 season, the positive relationship she had with her players was immediate and evident.

“I think it’s very helpful because you have been in those shoes,” she said. “So you know exactly what the demands are, and then you try and be empathic with the players.

“When they know that you have been there, you have more credibility, and I think that’s the value of it.”

While Martinez Lagunas is entering just her third season with the Bisons, her impact has already been felt throughout the program.

The Bisons immediately bolstered one of the youngest teams in the conference when Martinez Lagunas was hired, but time and experience have also helped. Manitoba went from a one-win campaign in 2013-14, to a four-win season last year, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

With another year under her belt and a number of returning players, 2015-16 could be a breakout season for The Herd.

“Our goal for the upcoming season is to improve the record from last year, and also try to make it to the playoffs,” Martinez Lagunas said. “Those are the two main goals, and we’re going to work really hard to reach them.”


MEN’S HOCKEY

ordan DePape’s statistics speak volumes about his skill, but it’s his hockey journey that’s even more impressive.

DePape, who will be entering his third season at the U of M this year, first laced up the skates at age four and has been hooked ever since. When pressed, he’ll credit his brother Ryan, who is four years older, for getting him out onto the ice in the first place.

“He was my older brother, so I always looked up to him and he was a role model,” DePape said. “I just wanted to do anything he did.”

As the years progressed, young Jordan quickly began to make a name for himself.

“I obviously just fell in love with the game,” he said. “And year by year I finally made my way into junior, and had a pretty successful career there. Now I’m here with the Bisons and it’s a great place to be.”

By his own admission, his success started the age of 14 when the Brandon Wheat Kings drafted him into the WHL. At 16, he continued his momentum, being named the Manitoba Junior Hockey League rookie of the year, after an impressive 85-point campaign with the old Winnipeg Saints.

The 2008-09 season quickly became a memorable one for DePape. Along with his top rookie selection, he was also named captain of Team Canada West for the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The roster featured a number of big names including current St. Louis Blues star Jaden Schwartz.

In 2009-10, DePape made his WHL debut with Brandon. He would however, spend the majority of his four seasons in the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers, after being traded by Brandon 22 games into his rookie year. DePape made his name known very quickly, posting 78 points in his first two years in Kamloops.

In 2011, after impressing with the Blazers, DePape was offered a free-agent tryout with the returning Winnipeg Jets. The experience was one that he said he will never forget, but shortly after his tryout, life took a turn for the worse.

DePape dislocated his left shoulder early in the 2011-12 WHL season, and then his right shoulder the following year. The second dislocation required surgery and DePape’s NHL dreams were put on hold.

While some players might have called it quits after that, DePape didn’t even entertain the thought. He stayed positive and chose to come to the U of M instead.

“I have developed tremendously as a person and teammate during my time at the University of Manitoba,” DePape said. “Specifically, I have matured

from looking up to head coach Mike Sirant, as well as the older veterans.”

DePape’s mindset is admirable. Despite the terrible shoulder injuries, injuries that derailed his NHL dreams, he’s taken everything in stride, and hasn’t skipped a beat with The Herd.

“I was still able to come back, and play university hockey, and you never know,” said DePape wistfully. “If I have a few successful seasons here with the Bisons, maybe there will be other opportunities elsewhere afterwards.”

There’s no denying DePape’s decision has paid off for The herd. He’s produced over 20 points in both of his seasons with Manitoba, and has been a critical leader on a young team since Day 1.

While his NHL aspirations may be on hold for now, his journey with the Bisons will certainly be something he can look back on with pride.

“I love playing at the U of M because I am part of such a prestigious Bison organization and I have a great coaching staff and great teammates,” DePape said.

“It is also great to have the opportunity to live at home and play hockey in front of my friends and family.”

University of Manitoba Bison star Jordan DePape approaches every practice, every game, every season with one thought in mind: “I might bend, but I’ll never break.”

Jordan DePape:

Staying the course

J


MEN’S HOCKEY

I was still able to come back and play university, and you never know, if I have a few successful seasons here with the Bisons, maybe there will be other opportunities elsewhere afterwards.

- Jordan DePape, Manitoba Bison forward Photos by Jeff Miller

MEN’S HOCKEY

Shaq Merasty:

Shaq expected to be a ‘Great’ CIS hockey player


niversity of Manitoba Bison hockey coach Mike Sirant could not have been happier. The one player that he was depending on to get bigger, faster and

stronger, had a monster summer in the gym.For Sirant, having Shaquille Merasty back

in the lineup is one of the best things that could have possibly happened to

the 2015-16 hockey team.“We’re counting on him,” said Sirant bluntly. “Shaq

was a real strong addition to our team last year. We were expecting Shaq to be a real strong two-way player for us, but for him to bring the offence he brought to our team, it was special. He has as strong a desire as any

player I’ve seen when it comes to scoring goals. He

goes to the net hard and he com-petes hard all the time.

“He’s also a tough player to play against. He’s a big guy who skates well

and is hard to move from in front of the net. He works for everything he gets and

this summer, he worked harder than I could have expected in the gym and on the ice. He’s on

a mission. He wants to have a career year for us.”Merasty had 11 goals (49th in the country) and 12

assists and was plus-eight in all 28 Bison games. As a second-year player, he was Manitoba’s No. 4 scorer

and for a young man who spent the 2012-13 season at tiny Adrian College in Michigan

– setting all sorts of Division III scoring records – his return to Manitoba was a

beautiful thing.“This was really good for me,”

said Merasty, a former star with the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. “I just wasn’t happy at Adrian and I wanted to come home. It was good to be home.”

Merasty himself, has provided Manitoba hockey with one of the game’s great stories. And it starts with his first name: Shaquille.

“It’s a sweet name,” he said. “My dad named me Shaquille and yes, he named me after the basketball player (Shaquille O’Neal). I think it’s a sweet name. But most people – I guess just the people who know me -- don’t call me Shaquille. They just call me Shaq.”

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Merasty started to play the game in Thompson when he was four, when he moved to Minnedosa to live with his grandmother. He finished high school in Minnedosa and was a star with the Manitoba Triple A Midget Hockey League’s Yellowhead Chiefs.

In his final year of midget, Merasty was named to the West Division All-Star Team. He then went on to star with the Portage Terriers of the MJHL. With Merasty in the lineup, the Terriers won two Turnbull Cups and an ANAVET Cup and he was always among the league’s top scorers.

“We expect him to be one of the top players in Canada West this year,” said Sirant matter-of-factly. “We expect him to be among the nation’s leading scor-ers. He has a lot of skill and a lot of size and he could be a great CIS player.”


U


WOMEN’S HOCKEY


W

Athletic success can be defined in a number of different ways. For some, it can come via team wins, for others, it’s attained via individual stats, and for many more, it’s simply improving as a player.

ith University of Manitoba Bison goaltender Rachel Dyck however, it’s safe to say she’s accomplished all of the above. Of course, she’s already

had quite an accomplished career. Dyck started playing organized hockey at age 12 with the Selkirk Wings

Bantam A2 team. She won a championship that year, which was just the start of many career highlights.

In her Grade 9 year at Balmoral Hall, Dyck was named top rookie, and the following season, she was honored as the top goalie in the league. She would later become part of two separate provincial teams, winning a bronze medal at the nationals in 2011, and a silver medal in 2012.

Considering her numerous accomplishments, it wasn’t a surprise that Dyck was heavily recruited coming out of high school. She had a few options in the States, as well as other areas of Canada, but ultimately chose to stay at home, and play for head coach Jon Rempel, and the Bisons in 2013-14.

“At the U of M I was given a shot right off the bat to have a chance to play and travel with the team, which was really important to me,” Dyck said.

“At first, my dream was to play NCAA Division One but thinking back I’m glad I stayed because the caliber is just as intense and the opportunity for me was greater.”

After a year in the system, Dyck earned the starting goaltender’s spot in 2014-15, and was nothing less than stellar. She helped backstop Manitoba to a Canada West final appearance, and was in the top three in every single statistical category. She had a particularly impressive 1.70 GAA.

“It’s always more fun when you’re winning and we did a lot of that last year,” Dyck said. “It gave me and the team a lot of confidence and reassurance that we were doing things right.”

While it’s just about every player’s dream to play NCAA Division 1 hockey, Dyck seems to be just fine with her choice to stay in the province. Based on Manitoba’s recent success, her teammates would surely agree that her decision was a good one.

“I love playing for the Bisons because everyday I’m excited to come to the rink and play the game I love,” Dyck said.

“My team has become my family and they push me to be better and perform better every game and practice. I am very proud to say I play for the Bisons.”

Rachel Dyck:

Winning on all counts

At first, my dream was to play NCAA Division One but thinking back I’m glad I stayed because the caliber is just asintense and the opportunity for me was greater.

- Rachel Dyck, Goalie, Manitoba Bisons


WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Bison forward Alanna Sharman had a monster year in 2014-15. The 19-year-old out of Nelson McIntyre Collegiate became the first Bison female hockey player to be selected as CIS Rookie of the Year since 2009-10. She also won the Canada West scoring title. No wonder she’s always smiling.

Alanna Sharman:

Smart, talented, a true Bison

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

W hen she arrives at the rink every day, Alanna Shar-man likes to bring a smile. That’s not surprising when

one considers that her amazing 2014-15 U of M hockey season was matched only by an obscure CIS player named Hayley Wickenheiser.

OK, just kidding. Wickenheiser is about as big a name as you’ll get in Canadian women’s hockey. Of course, if the 2014-15 season is any indication, 19-year-old Alanna Shar-man might be on her way to her own level of hockey im-mortality.

Sharman became the first Canada West rookie since Wickenheiser to win the conference scoring title. Of course, Wickenheiser was 32 when she won the scoring title and had already won four Olympic gold medals and played men’s pro hockey in Finland. Sharman was 19 and had just finished a year in the Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League with the Winnipeg Avros. She led the conference with 17 goals and 40 points assists in 28 games and became the first Bison player to lead all point scorers in a season.

As a result, she became only the third rookie in the 18-year history of the conference to top Canada West in scor-ing. She also ranked second in the country in assists (23), third in goals (17) and power play markers (7) and fourth in game-winning goals (5), while finishing second in Canada West with a plus-32 rating.

Sharman, who had 15 more points than any other rookie

in Canada West, ended the regular season with a nine-game point streak and had 12 multi-point performances over the 28-game schedule, including a five-point outing (three goals and two assists) against Regina on Jan. 17.

Just for fun, she and teammate Erica Reider were named to the 2014-15 CIS All-Rookie team.

“Alanna has had one of the most memorable rookie sea-sons in recent CIS history,” said Bison head women’s hockey coach Jon Rempel. “Winning both the Canada West and CIS scoring titles as a first year player is a feat that few play-ers ever achieve, let alone a freshman directly out of AAA midget hockey.

“Her scoring exploits this season are a direct result of her hard work, practice habits, humility and love of the game. She makes people around her better, including her team-mates and her coaching staff and our program is extremely fortunate to have her.”

Perhaps what is even more impressive about Sharman is that this Asper School of Business student was also a Schulich Leader

Nominee. She carried a 99 per cent academic average throughout her Grade 12 year at Nelson McIntyre Collegiate and is one of Canada’s best and brightest.

She probably could have left Winnipeg to attend univer-sity anywhere she wanted, but she had some pretty solid reasons for accepting the Bison scholarship offer.

“I got offers elsewhere but not as much as U of M,” she said. “The U of M scouted me the most and I love be-ing at home and I’ve always looked up to Bison athletes. It was an easy choice.”

Last season, the Bisons shocked the hock-ey world and reached the Canada West final, only to lose to the University of Al-berta. Sharman sees a bright future for her team.

“We have a few good recruits coming in and we only graduate three players,” she said. “It will definitely be a different year. Two of our main leadership people are graduating, but I think with the people that are back will come together as a team and we’ll be really com-petitive again.”

She’ll say the same thing about her Rookie of the Year Award and he scoring title. Hock-ey, after all, is a team game and Alanna Sharman loves to be part of the team.

“I don’t really think it was my accomplishment. It was more of a team accom-plishment,” she said modestly. “But it is very cool. I’m re-ally thankful for my team-mates being there. Yeah, it’s a big deal.”

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

here are three specific things that stand out when you attend a University of Manitoba Bison men’s volleyball game at Investors Group

Athletic Centre. The first is the outstanding play out on the court, the second is the passionate fans who fill the stands and the third, and arguably most noticeable, is the energetic, and enthusiastic attitude that the Bison players have towards each other.

The latter of these three elements has to do primarily with chemistry – a chemistry that started far before the CIS level for most of the “Zoons,” as the individuals on the squad are also called.

“I think that’s something that makes U of M a really unique kind of environment in which to play volleyball,” co-captain, and left side hitter Adam DeJonckheere said. “I think we have one player from outside of Manitoba. On a 13-man CIS roster, you won’t find that anywhere else.”

The local connection includes all three co-captains -- DeJonckheere, Kenny Rooney (middle hitter), and Kevin Falconer (left side hitter). DeJonckheere and Falconer were both standouts on the court with St.Paul’s High School while Rooney dominated the high school ranks for Collège Jeanne-Sauvè,

All three athletes were also heavily involved with local club and provincial programs. One of the most important was 204 Volleyball – a club team that has only been around since 2010, but has qualified for nationals seven times.

“All three of us played at 204 Volleyball Club, and Kenny and I played on the same team two years in a row,” Falconer said. “The chemistry that our team had in our U-18 season was huge, and it brought us all the way to a national final. A lot of those guys that were on that team are on the team we’re playing on right now, so it kind of carries forward.”

Seven of the 13 players on last year’s roster spent at least one year with 204, and with no player past his fourth year of eligibility in 2015, the rapport and trust already established amongst the “Zoons” will only become stronger.

“Usually you would have the veterans hold everyone else accountable and know how things go, but in this case, I think it helps that we know each other so well,” Rooney said. “We’re not afraid to hold each other

If one intends to build a CIS powerhouse, it is important to recruit athletes from across the country. But when it comes to Coach Garth Pischke’s U of M Bison men’s volleyball team, home is where the talent is.

The Hometown Herd:Manitoba’s

band of brothers


T

Kenny Rooney


MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Phot

os b

y Je

ff M

iller

I think we have one player from outside of Manitoba. On a 13-man CIS roster, you won’t find that anywhere else.-- Adam DeJonckheere, co-captain/left side hitter, men’s volleyball

accountable, even though we’re the same age and have relatively the same experience.” Manitoba was ranked in the national Top 10 for a large chunk of the 2014 season and despite their early exit

from the Canada West playoffs, this team should be dangerous in 2015. Obviously the three co-captains will lead the way. In 2014, the rangy DeJonckheere had 282 solo kills, while an always fired up Falconer recorded 141, and the

powerhouse in the middle, Rooney, amassed eight solo blocks. Manitoba should also get tremendous production from proven playmakers Alex Strachan (fourth year), Devren

Dear (fourth year), and Luke Herr (fourth year). However, while individual stats are important, winning games is far more critical. This unit shouldn’t have a

problem with either. Being able to understand how particular players react and respond in game situations is also an advantage for this Bison squad.

“On this team, we truly do care about each other,” Rooney said. “Sure there are little fights here and there, like we’re a bunch of brothers really, but we want to win not only for ourselves, but for each other.”

The familial attitude that this team has is a huge part of its success and with at least two more years of eligibility left for a number of the individuals on the squad, the sky is the limit.

After a playoff birth last year, Manitoba is right on track to make a deep push for the conference championship in 2015, something that would be the culmination of years of hard work for this Band of Brothers.

Kevin Falconer

Adam DeJonckheere

Building better Bison athletes

he training space for Bison athletes tucks neatly into a corner of the Active Living Centre. The usual

suspects of pumping iron, like barbells and dumbbells, dominate its roughly 7,300 square-foot expanse. And Olympic-style lifts such as squats or clean and jerks form the bedrock of strength-building routines.

But in a room off to the side you’ll find the unusual: high-tech devices that turn all the players’ reps and regi-mens into meaningful data. The High Performance Centre, or HPC for short, is not your average gym.

Spindly tripods, capped by what look like tennis ball tubes filled with LED lights, lie in wait in a corner—this is the Smart Scan system. When an athlete logs in us-ing a unique wristband, it can record their acceleration along the centre’s 30-metre track or, in the case of a soc-cer player, measure how quickly their head swivels from side-to-side in time with a random sequence of lights.

Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, Bison women’s soccer coach, and today’s tour guide, opens another cabinet to reveal a bank of what look like miniature winches. When attached to a barbell an athlete lifts, they record the weight and speed of the exercise, helping players and coaches track progress and make minute adjustments for optimal benefit. The goal is to build power, which trans-lates into speed and agility—the most important compo-nents of soccer, she says.

Martinez Lagunas says the U of M is the only Canadian university with this suite of technology and equipment—adding that not many NCAA programs south of the border do either. It’s a big help for our athletes,” says Martinez Lagunas.

She’s bringing a new level of objectivity to coaching. Don’t expect her to spout some hackneyed quip like “You gotta give 110 per cent” to inspire her players. The soccer skipper—whose off-field pursuits include completing her PhD in sport science—says a good player must first be a good athlete. Creating the latter is most effective when technology merges with training.

She says fitness tests, aided by the Smart Scan sys-tem, are her “best tools” and uses an example from her team’s recent spring ID camp for returning and prospec-tive players—when Speedy forward Selina Speranza broke the team record for the 30-metre dash—to illus-trate the point.

“That makes a difference,” says Martinez Lagunas,

who arrived at the U of M in 2013. “Those milliseconds of difference, breaking a personal best, a team record—that really motivates players.”

Years of playing university, national and professional-level soccer in her native Mexico and in Europe, along with coaching professional men’s squads in Germany, exposed Martinez Lagunas to the cutting-edge union of sport and technology. She wants to bring all that “know” from the pros to her developing Bison players—one giz-mo and gadget at a time.

Sets of pocket-sized devices cover the desk space of her compact Frank Kennedy office. One, about the size of a pager, slots into the back of a vest that players wear and tracks their acceleration and distance travelled us-ing GPS. Another, strapped around their ribcage, monitors their heart rate. They too provide data to help coaches and training staff tailor each player’s training regimen.

Their efficiency and precision are a boon to athletes, whose long-term training goals might be measured in tenths of a second or centimetres.

Complementing all this tech at the HPC is a dedicated strength and conditioning team led by alumnus—and Martinez Lagunas’s fellow technophile—Matt Barr [BESS/06]. He and his colleagues Shawn Preston and Cole Scheller work primarily with Bison men’s football and women’s soccer to help them with everything from strength and fitness to the nuances of proper footwork and coordination. Barr, who says the new Active Living Centre is “unquestionably the best facility in the country”, is also helping the teams incorporate injury prevention measures into their training.

Tears of the ACL are common in women’s soccer—the Bison squad had three last season—so players like sec-ond-year midfielder Amanda Wong say they are eager to work with Barr to protect their bodies from such traumas. She’s also seeing how training in the HPC is adding to her game-day toolkit.

“Building strength [in my lower body] means I’m able to push someone off the ball or jump higher,” says Wong, who’s been in the strength and conditioning program for about a year.

Barr’s own path into this field was partly in response to the absence of such resources when he played rugby for team Canada. An injury ultimately led to his retirement from the sport but at the same time stoked his interest in

helping better prepare future generations of athletes. The window of their success can be fleeting, so he wants to see them make the most of it.

“[An athlete’s career] is a very short time of their lives,” says Barr. “It’s also quite often the best time of their lives.”

Starting with his arrival in 2012 at the U of M, Barr focused on football—a sport where strength is necessity. His first job, he says, was changing the team culture to one that saw training sessions as mandatory. Players who missed sessions met with the scorn of teammates and repeat offenders got cut.

“[Strength and conditioning] has become a lot more structured and a lot more scientific,” says Barr, 34, who did his master’s at Western before completing a PhD from one of the meccas of strength and conditioning educa-tion: Australia’s Edith Cowan University. “Now, it’s at the point where it’s an essential part of the training that’s incorporated.”

It’s also becoming a useful recruitment tool.Martinez Lagunas says the first thing she did this year

with recruits in her spring camp was take them on a tour of the Active Living Centre, including the HPC, and In-vestors Group Field. “I cannot have better facilities than that,” she says.

On her wish list of acquisitions? A portable spirometer (essentially a backpack an athlete wears to measure their oxygen consumption while exercising). Barr says he would love to have a cloud-based data solution that each player could access before a training session to report how they are feeling, check off areas of their bodies that are sore, and basically give his team more details to help tailor a player’s workout and protect them from injury.

As Martinez Lagunas, fellow coaches and the strength and conditioning team collaborate on athlete develop-ment, she sees even greater integration of sport and science within the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management as another means to take things to another level—for players and researchers alike.

“Our students and researchers can help us make Bison athletes better,” says Martinez Lagunas. “[And in turn] they get that practical experience. When they get out [of school] they are ready to do that type of work.”

JEREMY BROOKS

T


New High Performance Centre is perfect place to train the next generation

of athletes.

2015 SEASON | UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA BISONS 23

WOMEN’S SOCCEROCTOBER 10 - 6:00PM

AT WINNIPEG

VOLLEYBALL FEBRUARY 4

WOMEN – 6:00PMMEN – 7:30PM

AT WINNIPEG

BASKETBALLFEBRUARY 5

WOMEN – 6:00PMMEN – 8:00PM

AT MANITOBA

25TH ANNIVERSARY

#GOBISONS

For additional ticket and schedule information visit:

D U C KWO RT H C H A L L E N G E

vs.

24 UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA BISONS | 2015 SEASON

SWIMMINGDATE COMPETITION LOCATION

Oct. 31-Nov. 1 College Cup Pacific UBC

Nov. 21 Bison Sprint IM Invitational Pan Am Pool

Nov. 27-29 Canada West Championship Vancouver

Dec. 10-13 Prairie Winter Invitational Pan Am PoolJan. 30-31 College Cup Mountain Calgary

Feb. 25-27 2016 CIS Swimming Championships Quebec City

MEN’S HOCKEYDATE VISITOR HOME TIMEOct. 9 Regina Manitoba 7 pmOct. 10 Regina Manitoba 1 pmOct. 16 Manitoba Mount Royal 7 pmOct. 17 Manitoba Mount Royal 2 pmOct. 24 UBC Manitoba 7:30 pmOct. 25 UBC Manitoba 1 pmOct. 30 Manitoba Calgary 7 pmOct. 31 Manitoba Calgary 6 pmNov. 6 Manitoba Alberta 7 pmNov. 7 Manitoba Alberta 6 pmNov. 13 Lethbridge Manitoba 7 pmNov. 14 Lethbridge Manitoba 1 pmNov. 20 Saskatchewan Manitoba 7 pmNov. 21 Saskatchewan Manitoba 4 pmNov. 26 Manitoba Regina 7 pmNov. 27 Manitoba Regina 7 pmJan. 8 Alberta Manitoba 7 pmJan. 9 Alberta Manitoba 4 pm*Jan. 15 Mount Royal Manitoba 7 pmJan. 16 Mount Royal Manitoba 1 pmJan. 22 Manitoba Lethbridge 7 pmJan. 23 Manitoba Lethbridge 1 pmJan. 29 Manitoba Saskatchewan 7 pmJan. 30 Manitoba Saskatchewan 7 pmFeb. 5 Calgary Manitoba 7 pmFeb. 6 Calgary Manitoba 1 pmFeb. 12 Manitoba UBC 7 pmFeb. 13 Manitoba UBC 7 pm

PLAYOFFSFeb. 19-21 Canada West Quarter-Finals (6 @ 3 / 5 @ 4 - Best 2 of 3)

Feb. 26-28 Canada West Semi-Finals (Highest Rank Remaining @ 2 - Best 2 of 3, Lowest Rank Remaining @ 1 - Best 2 of 3)

Mar. 4-6 Canada West Final (Winners @ Highest Rank Remaining - Best 2 of 3)Mar. 17-20 2016 CIS Men’s Hockey Championship - Halifax

WOMEN’S HOCKEYDATE VISITOR HOME TIMEOct. 3 Alberta Manitoba 7:30 pmOct. 4 Alberta Manitoba 1 pmOct. 9 Manitoba Regina 7 pmOct. 10 Manitoba Regina 3 pmOct. 16 Mount Royal Manitoba 7 pmOct. 17 Mount Royal Manitoba 1 pmOct. 23 Manitoba UBC 7 pmOct. 24 Manitoba UBC 2 pmOct. 30 Calgary Manitoba 7 pmOct. 31 Calgary Manitoba 1 pmNov. 13 Manitoba Lethbridge 7 pmNov. 14 Manitoba Lethbridge 1 pmNov. 20 Manitoba Saskatchewan 7 pmNov. 21 Manitoba Saskatchewan 5 pm*Nov. 27 Regina Manitoba 7 pmNov. 28 Regina Manitoba 4 pmJan. 8 Manitoba Alberta 7 pmJan. 9 Manitoba Alberta 2 pmJan. 15 Manitoba Mount Royal 7 pmJan. 16 Manitoba Mount Royal 3 pmJan. 22 Lethbridge Manitoba 7 pmJan. 23 Lethbridge Manitoba 1 pmJan. 29 Saskatchewan Manitoba 7 pmJan. 30 Saskatchewan Manitoba 4 pmFeb. 5 Manitoba Calgary 7 pmFeb. 6 Manitoba Calgary 2 pmFeb. 12 UBC Manitoba 7 pmFeb. 13 UBC Manitoba 1 pm

PLAYOFFSFeb. 19 -21 Canada West Quarter-Finals (6 @ 3 / 5 @ 4 - Best 2 of 3)

Feb. 26-28 Canada West Semi-Finals (Highest Rank Remaining @ 2 - Best 2 of 3, Lowest Rank Remaining @ 1- Best 2 of 3)

Mar. 4-6 Canada West Final (Winners @ Highest Rank Remaining - Best 2 of 3)

Mar. 17-20 2016 CIS Women’s Hockey Championship - Calgary

VOLLEYBALLDATE VISITOR HOME WOMEN MEN*Oct. 16 Saskatchewan Manitoba 7:30 pm 6 pmOct. 17 Saskatchewan Manitoba 7:30 pm 6 pmOct. 23 Manitoba UBC 6 pm 7:30 pmOct. 24 Manitoba UBC 5 pm 6:30 pmOct. 30 MacEwan Manitoba 7:30 pm 6 pmOct. 31 MacEwan Manitoba 4:30 pm 3 pmNov. 6 Mount Royal Manitoba 7:30 pm 6 pmNov. 7 Mount Royal Manitoba 4:30 pm 3 pmNov. 20 Manitoba Alberta 6 pm 7:30 pmNov. 21 Manitoba Alberta 6:30 pm 5 pmNov. 27 Manitoba Regina 6 pm 7:30 pmNov. 28 Manitoba Regina 5 pm 6:30 pmJan. 8 UBC Okanagan Manitoba 7:30 pm 6 pmJan. 9 UBC Okanagan Manitoba 4:30 pm 3 pmJan. 22 Trinity Western Manitoba 7:30 pm 6 pmJan. 23 Trinity Western Manitoba 4:30 pm 3 pmJan. 29 Manitoba Thompson Rivers 6 pm 7:45 pmJan. 30 Manitoba Thompson Rivers 5 pm 6:45 pmFeb. 4 Manitoba Winnipeg 6 pm 7:30 pmFeb. 6 Winnipeg Manitoba 4:30 pm 3 pmFeb. 12 Brandon Manitoba 7:30 pm 6 pmFeb. 13 Brandon Manitoba 4:30 pm 3 pmFeb. 19 Manitoba Calgary 6 pm 7:30 pmFeb. 20 Manitoba Calgary 4 pm 5:30 pm

PLAYOFFS

Feb. 26 -28 Canada West Men & Women Quarter-Finals - (5@4 / 6@3 / 7@2-Best 2 of 3)

Mar. 4-6 Canada West Men’s & Women’s - Final 4 (4 v 1 / 3v2) @ Highest Ranked Remaining

Mar 11-13 2016 CIS Men’s Volleyball Championship - Hamilton2016 CIS Women’s Volleyball Championship - Brandon

FOOTBALL DATE VISITOR HOME TIME

Sep. 4 Manitoba Saskatchewan 7 pm

Sep. 11 Calgary Manitoba 7 pm

Sep. 19 UBC Manitoba 6 pm

Sep. 25 Manitoba Alberta 7 pm

*Oct 2 Regina Manitoba 7 pm

Oct. 17 Manitoba Regina 4 pm

Oct. 23 Alberta Manitoba 7 pm

Oct. 31 Manitoba UBC 1 pm

* Homecoming Game & Spirit Cup

PLAYOFFSNov. 7 Canada West Semi-Finals (4@1 / 3@2)Nov. 14 Canada West Final (79th Hardy Cup)Nov. 21 CIS Semi-Final: Uteck Bowl – Canada West @AUS

Nov. 28 2015 CIS Football Championship: 51st Vanier Cup - Quebec City

All Bison Home Football games can be heard live on Campus Radio 101.5 UMFM or on the web at umfm.com

OCT. 9 MATCH VS. WINNIPEG WILL BE PLAYED AT INVESTORS GROUP FIELD

WOMEN’S SOCCERDATE VISITOR HOME TIME

Sep. 4 Thompson Rivers Manitoba 6 pm

Sep. 5 UBC Okanagan Manitoba 4 pm

Sep. 12 Manitoba Saskatchewan 12 pm

Sep. 13 Manitoba Regina 12 pm

Sep. 19 Manitoba MacEwan 12 pm

Sep. 20 Manitoba Mount Royal 12 pm

Sep. 26 Calgary Manitoba 2 pm

Sep. 27 Lethbridge Manitoba 2 pm

Oct. 9 Winnipeg Manitoba 6 pm

Oct. 10 Manitoba Winnipeg 6 pm

Oct. 16 Manitoba Fraser Valley 4 pm

Oct. 17 Manitoba Trinity Western 5 pm

Oct. 24 Regina Manitoba 12 pm

Oct. 25 Saskatchewan Manitoba 2 pm

PLAYOFFSOct. 31 Canada West Quarter-Finals In Region (6@1/5@2/4@3)

Nov. 5-8

Final 6 - at Prairie Division highest remaining seed. Top team from each Region receives a bye on Day 1 Day 1 - Pacific 3 vs Prairie 2 / Prairie 3 vs Pacific 2 Day 2 - Semi-Finals (Cross over) Day 3 - Bronze / Gold Finals

Nov. 12-15 2015 CIS Women’s Soccer Championship - Vancouver

GOLF

Sep. 5-6 Augsburg Invitational Ham Lake, MN

Sep. 7 NDSU Fargo, ND

Sep. 13-14 Bemidji Invite Bemidji, ND

Sep. 21-22 Jamestown Invitational Jamestown, ND

Sep. 26-28 Twin Cities Classic Minneapolis, MN

Sep. 27-28 St. Cloud State Husky Classic St. Cloud, MN

Oct. 18-20 University of Victoria Victoria, BC

2015-162015-16

00441-CalendarSpread.indd 1 2015-08-13 1:06 PM

CROSS COUNTRYDATE EVENT LOCATIONSept. 26 Roy Griak Invitational MinneapolisOct. 3 U of Saskatchewan Open SaskatoonOct. 17 Ron Pynn Invitational Grand ForksOct. 25 Manitoba Championships WinnipegOct. 31 Stewart Cup EdmontonNov. 8 2015 CIS CC Championship Guelph

All times listed are local to host city *SPIRIT CUP AND ** DUCKWORTH CHALLENGE DATES (RED), AWAY GAMES (BLACK), HOME GAMES (BROWN)

BASKETBALLDATE VISITOR HOME WOMEN MENNov. 6 Manitoba Saskatchewan 6:15 pm 8 pmNov. 7 Manitoba Saskatchewan 6:15 pm 8 pmNov. 13 Calgary Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmNov.14 Calgary Manitoba 4 pm 6 pmNov. 20 Alberta Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmNov. 21 Alberta Manitoba 4 pm 6 pmNov. 27 Manitoba Brandon 6 pm 8 pmNov. 28 Manitoba Brandon 5 pm 7 pmJan. 8 Manitoba Victoria 6 pm 8 pmJan. 9 Manitoba Victoria 5 pm 7 pmJan. 15 UBC Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmJan. 16 UBC Manitoba 4 pm 6 pmJan. 22 Manitoba Lethbridge 6 pm 8 pmJan. 23 Manitoba Lethbridge 5 pm 7 pmJan. 29 Regina Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmJan. 30 Regina Manitoba 4 pm 6 pm**Feb. 5 Winnipeg Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmFeb. 6 Manitoba Winnipeg 5 pm 7 pmFeb. 12 Manitoba Trinity Western 6 pm 8 pmFeb. 13 Manitoba Trinity Western 5 pm 7 pm

PLAYOFFSFeb. 26-28 Canada West Men’s Play-In Series: (Best 2 of 3)

(Series #1: P6@E3 / Series #2: P7@P5)

Mar. 4-6Canada West Quarter-Finals: (Best 2 of 3) (Series A: Winner of Series #1@P1 / Series B: Winner of Series #2@E1 / Series C: P4@P2 / Series D: E2@P3)

Mar. 11-12 Canada West Final Four @ Highest Ranked Remaining (Winner of A vs. Winner of D | Winner of B vs. Winner of C)

Mar. 18-20 2016 CIS Men’s Basketball Championship - Vancouver2016 CIS Women’s Basketball Championship - Fredericton

TRACK & FIELDDec. 5 Flying M Classic James DalyDec. 11-12 Athletics Manitoba Last Chance James DalyJan. 6 Bison Grand Prix # 1 James DalyJan 16 NDSU Bison Classic FargoJan. 15-16 Athletics Manitoba Open James DalyJan. 29-30 Jack Johnson Classic MinneapolisFeb. 5-6 Bison Classic James DalyFeb. 12-13 SDSU Invitational BrookingsFeb. 17 Bison Grand Prix # 2 James DalyFeb. 20 UND Tune-up Grand ForksFeb. 26-27 Canada West Championship SaskatoonMar. 10-12 2016 CIS T&F Championship Toronto

BISON SPORTS CALENDAR

For more information please visit:

GOBISONS.CA

SPORTS EVENTS LOCATIONSBasketball & Volleyball Investors Group Athletic Centre 75 Sidney Smith Street

Football Investors Group Field 315 Chancellor Matheson Blvd.

Hockey Wayne Fleming Arena Max Bell Centre 109 Sidney Smith Street

Soccer University of Manitoba Outdoor Turf Fields West Field

Track & Field James Daly Fieldhouse Max Bell Centre 109 Sidney Smith Street

SEASON PASSES

FOOTBALLADULT - $50

U OF M ALUMNI - $40Season Passes available at Ticketmaster.ca

(surcharges will apply)

BROWN & GOLD PASS (does not include Football)

Adult - $60, Seniors - $30U of M Alumni - $45

U of M Student - FREE (with barcode sticker)

SINGLE GAME TICKETS

FOOTBALL: $15 adults, 12 & under free

Tickets available through Ticketmaster. (surcharges will apply)

WOMEN’S SOCCER: $5 for everyone, 12 & under free

OCTOBER 9 MATCH VS. WINNIPEG AT INVESTORS GROUP FIELD

$10 - Tickets available for this match at Ticketmaster.ca (surcharges will apply)

BASKETBALL, HOCKEY & VOLLEYBALL:$10 adults, $5 seniors, 12 & under free

GROUP PACKAGES

OLD DUTCH

BROWN & GOLD SPECIAL$9/person

INCLUDES: • Game Ticket • Old Dutch Chips

• Hot dog • Soft drink

BOSTON PIZZA PARTY$12/person

INCLUDES: • Game Ticket • Soft drink

• BP Pizza

Valid for any Bison home game (basketball, hockey or volleyball). Minimum 10 ticket order for group

package pricing.

For more information or to order, please contact

[email protected] or call 204-474-9146.



CROSS COUNTRYDATE EVENT LOCATIONSept. 26 Roy Griak Invitational MinneapolisOct. 3 U of Saskatchewan Open SaskatoonOct. 17 Ron Pynn Invitational Grand ForksOct. 25 Manitoba Championships WinnipegOct. 31 Stewart Cup EdmontonNov. 8 2015 CIS CC Championship Guelph

All times listed are local to host city *SPIRIT CUP AND ** DUCKWORTH CHALLENGE DATES (RED), AWAY GAMES (BLACK), HOME GAMES (BROWN)

BASKETBALLDATE VISITOR HOME WOMEN MENNov. 6 Manitoba Saskatchewan 6:15 pm 8 pmNov. 7 Manitoba Saskatchewan 6:15 pm 8 pmNov. 13 Calgary Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmNov.14 Calgary Manitoba 4 pm 6 pmNov. 20 Alberta Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmNov. 21 Alberta Manitoba 4 pm 6 pmNov. 27 Manitoba Brandon 6 pm 8 pmNov. 28 Manitoba Brandon 5 pm 7 pmJan. 8 Manitoba Victoria 6 pm 8 pmJan. 9 Manitoba Victoria 5 pm 7 pmJan. 15 UBC Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmJan. 16 UBC Manitoba 4 pm 6 pmJan. 22 Manitoba Lethbridge 6 pm 8 pmJan. 23 Manitoba Lethbridge 5 pm 7 pmJan. 29 Regina Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmJan. 30 Regina Manitoba 4 pm 6 pm**Feb. 5 Winnipeg Manitoba 6 pm 8 pmFeb. 6 Manitoba Winnipeg 5 pm 7 pmFeb. 12 Manitoba Trinity Western 6 pm 8 pmFeb. 13 Manitoba Trinity Western 5 pm 7 pm

PLAYOFFSFeb. 26-28 Canada West Men’s Play-In Series: (Best 2 of 3)

(Series #1: P6@E3 / Series #2: P7@P5)

Mar. 4-6Canada West Quarter-Finals: (Best 2 of 3) (Series A: Winner of Series #1@P1 / Series B: Winner of Series #2@E1 / Series C: P4@P2 / Series D: E2@P3)

Mar. 11-12 Canada West Final Four @ Highest Ranked Remaining (Winner of A vs. Winner of D | Winner of B vs. Winner of C)

Mar. 18-20 2016 CIS Men’s Basketball Championship - Vancouver2016 CIS Women’s Basketball Championship - Fredericton

TRACK & FIELDDec. 5 Flying M Classic James DalyDec. 11-12 Athletics Manitoba Last Chance James DalyJan. 6 Bison Grand Prix # 1 James DalyJan 16 NDSU Bison Classic FargoJan. 15-16 Athletics Manitoba Open James DalyJan. 29-30 Jack Johnson Classic MinneapolisFeb. 5-6 Bison Classic James DalyFeb. 12-13 SDSU Invitational BrookingsFeb. 17 Bison Grand Prix # 2 James DalyFeb. 20 UND Tune-up Grand ForksFeb. 26-27 Canada West Championship SaskatoonMar. 10-12 2016 CIS T&F Championship Toronto

BISON SPORTS CALENDAR

For more information please visit:

GOBISONS.CA

SPORTS EVENTS LOCATIONSBasketball & Volleyball Investors Group Athletic Centre 75 Sidney Smith Street

Football Investors Group Field 315 Chancellor Matheson Blvd.

Hockey Wayne Fleming Arena Max Bell Centre 109 Sidney Smith Street

Soccer University of Manitoba Outdoor Turf Fields West Field

Track & Field James Daly Fieldhouse Max Bell Centre 109 Sidney Smith Street

SEASON PASSES

FOOTBALLADULT - $50

U OF M ALUMNI - $40Season Passes available at Ticketmaster.ca

(surcharges will apply)

BROWN & GOLD PASS (does not include Football)

Adult - $60, Seniors - $30U of M Alumni - $45

U of M Student - FREE (with barcode sticker)

SINGLE GAME TICKETS

FOOTBALL: $15 adults, 12 & under free

Tickets available through Ticketmaster. (surcharges will apply)

WOMEN’S SOCCER: $5 for everyone, 12 & under free

OCTOBER 9 MATCH VS. WINNIPEG AT INVESTORS GROUP FIELD

$10 - Tickets available for this match at Ticketmaster.ca (surcharges will apply)

BASKETBALL, HOCKEY & VOLLEYBALL:$10 adults, $5 seniors, 12 & under free

GROUP PACKAGES

OLD DUTCH

BROWN & GOLD SPECIAL$9/person

INCLUDES: • Game Ticket • Old Dutch Chips

• Hot dog • Soft drink

BOSTON PIZZA PARTY$12/person

INCLUDES: • Game Ticket • Soft drink

• BP Pizza

Valid for any Bison home game (basketball, hockey or volleyball). Minimum 10 ticket order for group

package pricing.

For more information or to order, please contact

[email protected] or call 204-474-9146.



WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

U

Caleigh Dobie

Staying out of dad’s shadow

niversity of Manitoba women’s volleyball coach, Ken Bentley, believes that Caleigh

Dobie is a special athlete.“Let me start by saying that because Caleigh

wears the libeiro jersey, she already stands out,” said Bentley with a laugh. “She already plays a tough position and because her jersey is a differ-ent color, she can’t hide.

“That year (2014), I had decided to make some changes in my lineup. I even went to (men’s coach) Garth (Pischke) and asked him what he thought. He tweaked it a bit, but agreed it was probably the way to go. This was a huge ask for Caleigh. It meant that she would be in the middle of the floor on five out of six rotations. That means she had to get to that first ball on almost every serve. It took time and it was a huge ask, but we won a national championship and now she’s going into her fourth year with us.

“She is fiercely proud of the Bison volleyball program and her position on the team. She’s a cornerstone of our program.”

In case you hadn’t noticed, Caleigh Dobie has a rather familiar name -- not just to Bison fans but to all sports fans and especially football fans – in Manitoba. Her dad is the highly successful head coach of the Bison football program

However, as Bentley is quick to point out, Ca-leigh’s well-known and beloved father has had nothing to do with her success.

“When I recruited Caleigh, I recruited her like I would any other athlete that I believed would become a successful CIS player,” said Bentley. “Right from the start, I wanted Caleigh to know that this was not about her dad. It was about her. I knew she could be a great player and she didn’t need her dad to get her a volleyball scholarship or to play at a very high CIS level. And she’s had a great career, a career that she’s earned on her own.”

The 5-foot-8 Dobie – yes, she’s taller than her dad – is incredibly self-aware for a 21-year univer-sity athlete. She knows that her father’s presence is felt all around the campus, but what Caleigh has done is all Caleigh.

“I’m aware of people talking about it 100 per cent,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve had lots of friends and even family say, ‘Well, it must be easy with your dad being the football coach,’ and I just laugh it off. It’s actually fun having that family con-nection but I knew and my dad knew, that it was never the reason for anything I do on the volleyball court.”

For Dobie, a fourth-year Arts student who plans on studying Education, being a member of the Bison women’s volleyball team is something she always dreamed of – and planned on – doing.

As Bentley says, she is fiercely proud of the Bisons.

“I always wanted to be a Bison, I always thought that these were coolest people anywhere,” she said. “I’ve always had so much respect for this program. We live ‘Bison Volleyball’ all the time. All my life, I always thought I would be part of this program.”

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

A fundamental change of approach

en Bentley will begin his 30th year as the head coach of the Bison Women’s Volleyball Program this fall. It is unlikely there

is anyone in the CIS that knows more about what it takes to win a national championship and then, what it takes to rebuild after the ultimate success than Coach Bentley.

It might be one of the reasons why Bentley admits that this year, he decided to change the way he recruits young athletes into his program. After all, in the spring of 2014, the women’s volleyball at the U of M was the CIS national champion. Skilled, experienced, veteran players had brought the national title home to the Fort Garry campus and Bentley had his sixth CIS crown.

But last year, the Bisons lost in the Canada West quarterfinals and this year, Bentley has gone into a rebuilding session with a new approach.

“I’m in a bit of a transition right now,” Bentley said during the summer. “We will have a lot of first- and second-year players.

“We have eight of 12 players back from last season, but I also went out and recruited nine new players. I’ve long since abandoned the idea of having a 12-player roster. When you throw in injuries, sickness and missed practices due to class issues, you get to the point you can’t practice six-on-six. So this year we’ll carry about 17. I have put in a lot of time, a lot of work, to recruit a new team. And one thing I did this year was decide to go out of province with my recruiting to get three good CIS players.

“It was a complete change for me, a total shift in my philosophy. But I decided to go to B.C. and recruit three players that I believe could have great CIS careers – Cassidy Pearson and Laura Findlay from South Delta High School and Angelica Kilberg from Tsawwassen. They all played club volleyball for a former assistant of mine named David Carrasco so I knew going in that they were good players. I’ve never liked to recruit out of province but the quality of play in Canada West and the CIS is so good that you have to have the right people in order to be prepared every single weekend.”

Bentley will still have his core grou: Caleigh Dobie, “the cornerstone of our championship run,” Kalena Schulz, a member of the 2015 Canada West All-Rookie team, Lexi Janovcik who started last year on the left side as a first-year player, Tori Studler, a second-year player and terrific all-around athlet, Jordana Milne, a fifth-year middle blocker and Sarah Klassen from Winkler, a fourth-year middle blocker.

“We do have a solid core group, but the reality for us is that we’re assembling a new team,” Bentley said. “The big question for us and all CIS teams is how do you win – how do you get to the top? The goal here for the next few years is to build this team back up to that championship level.”

K



With plenty of CIS basketball options, Joseph Medrano decided to stay local.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

ou don’t have to look very hard to see Medrano’s impact at the high school basketball level. The former Sisler Spartan captain was the 2013-14 Mani-

toba High School Athletic Association AAAA Male Player of the Year in his senior season. He also played four years with the provincial team, earning two silver medals, and one bronze in the process.

Because of his incredible success on the court, it wasn’t a huge surprise that Medrano was recruited rather heavily, both during and after high school.

In fact, there were four other schools outside the province that really wanted Medrano -- and they almost had him. That is, until Bison head coach Kirby Schepp came knocking.

“I had offers from UNBC, UBC Okanagan, Regina, and Dalhousie,” Medrano said. “I almost left. That is, until coach Schepp offered me a spot.”

Interestingly enough, Schepp and the Bisons were the last of the five teams to actively start recruiting Medrano.

“Coach Schepp didn’t really begin the recruitment process until later, after my senior year of high school,” Medrano said.

Despite Schepp not entering the conversation imme-diately, the six-foot guard still chose Manitoba.

Maybe the delay was intentional, maybe not. One way or the other, Schepp knew the kind of talent Medrano had. His speed fits the Bisons scheme, and evidently, being able to stay at home also fit Medrano’s needs.

“The thought of staying here at home was always going to be my first option,” Medrano said. “So when Coach Schepp began to recruit me, I was already sold.”

Medrano’s decision really speaks to his maturity level. He knew there were options in far bigger places, yet he still decided to stay in Winnipeg and play for The Herd.

The former Spartan spent his first year as a redshirt last season, in order to gain valuable experience and learn from his teammates. He’s proven to be very meticulous when it comes to making decisions, and, as a reward for his redshirt season, he’ll now get a shot in 2015-16 to prove himself at the university level.

The Bisons have already assembled a strong crew of local players, who have put up impressive numbers at the CIS level -- Justus Alleyn, Andre Arruda, and AJ Basi. With Medrano’s enormous upside, he could very well be the next star to add to that list.

“My main goal this season is to contribute in any way possible,” Medrano said. “I want to take advantage of every moment I get, and seize it.”

Joseph Medrano:

Home is where the heart is

Y

The thought of staying here at home was always going to be my first option, so when Coach Schepp began, I was already sold.-- Joseph Medrano, guard, Manitoba Bisons

hen it comes to Justus Alleyn, you can believe the hype. Alleyn, a third-year guard for Kirby Schepp’s Bisons, moved to Winnipeg from

Montreal at the age of 10. He had already learned to play basketball and by the time he reached Winnipeg, he was already an age-group star.

Alleyn moved up the ranks quickly as a youngster and eventually wound up with the highly-regarded St.Paul’s Crusaders high school team. In 2012, he won a silver medal with Team Manitoba at the National Championships and a year later, graduated from St.Paul’s as the Winnipeg Sun’s No. 1 ranked player in Manitoba.

While he was recruited by a number of different universities, he eventually settled on Manitoba.

“It made sense financially as well as academically for me to play with the Bisons,” Alleyn said. “I also wanted to play in front of friends and family, and Manitoba was a school where I could see myself getting to make an impact right away and they were getting better every year with coach Schepp.”

So far, Alleyn’s decision to stay local has paid off. As predicted, he made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2013-14, averaging 27.2 minutes per game, and putting up 6.9 points per game.

He followed that up with a stellar sophomore season this past year, averaging 11.7 points per game. He also became one of the team’s most reliable shooters.

“Getting to play so much right away was huge for my development,” he said. “I was forced to get better and adapt right away by playing against older, moreexperienced players.”

Now entering his third season with The Herd, Alleyn has just as much playing experience as a number of fifth year players in the CIS. Having attacked the learning curve early on, Alleyn’s game should only get better.

It also helps that Schepp’s system fits Alleyn almost perfectly. He’s quick and agile and uses those tools both on both offence and defense.

“I like playing for Manitoba because the style we play is really fast paced and up and down,” Alleyn said. “Coach Schepp’s system lets us play freely and show what we can do.”

Including this season, Alleyn still has three years of eligibility left with Manitoba, and at the pace he’s produced at over the past two years, there’s no question that he’ll be a future all-star in the CIS very soon.

W

Phot

os b

y Je

ff M

iller


Justus Alleyn:

Shooting to the top

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Basketball standout Justus Alleyn has speed, quickness, agility and a clutch shooting eye. No wonder he’s made an immediate impact in his time with The Herd.

Joseph Medrano:

Home is where the heart is


Michele Hynes:

Back to where it

all began

Photo by Jeff Miller

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

M

At the end of the 2009-10 season, she was also awarded the CIS Sylvia Sweeney Award – presented to a player who demonstrates outstanding achievement in basketball, academics, and community involvement. For anyone who knows Sylvia Sweeney, this is an iconic honour.

In April of 2014, current and former Bison athletes got treated to a blast from the past. Former Bison star Michele Hynes was named the head coach of the women’s basketball team. Hynes, who hails from Millgrove, Ont., had spent the previous two years as an assistant coach and in-terim head coach with the squad. Now, however, it’s her team.

ichele Hynes’ connection to the University of Manitoba extends well beyond the fact that she is the second-year head coach of the women’s

basketball team. In fact, it extends far beyond coaching. From 2006-2010, the 27-year old commanded the court for the Bisons.

She was pretty good, too. She was named an Academic All-Canadian as a freshman in 2006-07, as well as a team captain for three consecutive seasons, starting in 2007-08.

At the end of the 2009-10 season, she was also awarded the CIS Sylvia Sweeney Award – presented to a player who demonstrates outstanding achievement in basketball, academics, and community involvement. For anyone who knows Sylvia Sweeney, this is an iconic honour.

Getting any head coaching opportunity in the CIS is a dream-come-true, but getting the opportunity to return to Manitoba and help with future development was something that Hynes was even more excited about.

“The university and the program mean a lot to me,” she said. “They helped me a lot with my own personal involvement. Getting the chance to contribute to future success down the road, I feel it’s pretty special.”

Manitoba maintains a fairly young squad for the upcoming season. In fact, a number of players lack long-term CIS experience. Thankfully for Hynes, she’s been there before and better yet, she did so on the exact same court where she now watches attentively from the bench.

Due to the fact that she hasn’t been out of the CIS herself for that long, Hynes’ own in-game experience allows her to communicate to her young charges from a position of both strength and knowledge.

“Just like any coach, you kind of get to the point where it’s not really about age,” Hynes said. “It’s more about making sure you really understand where the athletes are coming from, given their background or their level of previous

commitment, experience, or exposure to the sport.”Knowing how important this opportunity was for her, Hynes also took the

time to connect with a number of experienced coaches before the start of last season in order to further prepare herself for the job.

I reached out to a lot of people, either in the CIS, or Canada West coaches,” she explained. “It was kind of a mix of everything, just to get a general idea of where everyone else was coming from.

Hynes was rather busy taking in a number of meetings in 2014, and it gave her a strong reminder that developing a program takes a lot of time.

“I think it also does keep in check that it’s a long-term process to build a CIS program,” she said. “It’s not going to be a one-year fix.”

Last season was proof of this statement. The Bisons won just one game overall, but did maintain a high level of competitiveness. In four separate games, The Herd lost by less than 10 points.

With a year now under her belt, Hynes has a better grasp of what to expect from her team for the upcoming season and she also did a tremendous job of recruiting, successfully coaxing two of the best local products – Addison Martin and Cara Neufeld – to play at the U of M. She also went out and added Emma Thompson from Calgary, and Alyssa Lucier from Ontario.

Lucier should be a tremendous replacement for the now graduated Stephanie Gill while Thompson, Martin, and Neufeld will all add valuable size to the roster.

While there are a lot of hypotheticals for Hynes, one thing is certain. She knows her school and she has an intense passion for her program.

“I’ve been here for a while, and in many roles, so it made it an at-ease process,” she said with a smile. “When it comes down to knowing the university, I’m confident in that.”

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL



WHAT: The Bisons Against Bullying program con-nects U of M athletes with school kids in Winnipeg to combat bullying.

HOW IT WORKS: Bison athletes visit elemen-tary and middle schools across the Winnipeg, hold-ing bullying prevention seminars and serving as positive role models. These student volunteers—three or four per presentation—aim to make a real connection with the children they meet. “What makes the program special is the interaction we have with the kids. By getting them involved, we feel it keeps the attention of the kids, and helps them to really understand what we are saying,” says Amanda Schubert, Bison hockey player and Bisons Against Bullying program organizer.

THE GOAL: “The goal of our work is to end bul-lying but one presentation won’t do it. That is why we try to go to as many schools as we can. By tar-geting a younger audience, we can reach kids at a

young age and let them know that bullying is not okay,” says Schubert. “We hope that the lessons we teach these kids now help them throughout the rest of their education and throughout their lives. We hope they can learn to make a difference and know right from wrong, and help out their peers.”

WHEN IT STARTED: Bison Sports launched the program in 2006, in partnership with the University of Manitoba Athletic Counsel.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: “Bullying can really hurt kids. In the program, we don’t just focus on the victim and the bully and what those two can do to change. We talk about the bystander and what that person can do to impact the situation,” says Schubert. “One of our goals is to teach these kids that you can help people who are being bullied by being a positive bystander. Of course we tackle the issue of cyber bullying as well. With it being a huge problem for this generation, it is another important

piece to the puzzle. By talking about cyber bully-ing, we can help give strategies and inform the kids that even through a screen it can still hurt.”

THE INSPIRATION: “As athletes we are ex-tremely lucky, fortunate and privileged to play the sports we love at such a high level. Also as athletes we know that we are in a special position—the younger generation really looks up to us,” Schubert says. “We know that it is our duty to give back and to do what we can to use our privilege in a positive way…. Listening to what they have to say about bullying and having all those eyes on us, knowing that what we are saying is being listened to, lets us know that what we are doing is really making a change.”

FUNDERS: University of Manitoba, University of Manitoba Athletic Counsel

The battle against bullying: Providing positive role models

Photo by Ian McCausland

ALUMNI

Photos by Dave MacKay

I

Izzy:

The greatest Bison of them all

n high school, former NFL star Israel Idonije never really wanted to play football.Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised on the Canadian prairie, this son of a preacher always wanted to be a

basketball player. Michael Jordan was Izzy’s favourite athlete when he played the game he loved at Brandon’s Vincent Massey Collegiate.

But one day, as he walked down the hallway past the gym, the coach of the tiny school‘s new football team, Kevin Grindey, asked if he might have a minute of the big 17-year-old’s time. Grindey, who had just re-started Massey’s defunct football program, made Idonije an offer.

Idonije wasn’t sure at first, but his mom, who wanted him to play every sport he possibly could, was absolutely certain. “Play,” she said. And as a faithful and respectful son, he did.

At the end of his brief high school career, he still wanted to play university basketball, but one day Brian Dobie, the head coach of the University of Manitoba Bison football team showed up at his house. Dobie asked Idonije if he was interested in a scholarship to play football at the U of M. He wasn’t sure, but his mom was. She convinced him to go the U of M and give the Bisons a try.

After red-shirting for a year, Idonije spent most of the next three years on the bench. Finally, in Year 4 (2001), he emerged as one of the most dynamic players in CIS history. He was selected twice as a Canada West All-Star and CIS first team All-Canadian (2001 and 2002). In his first year as a starter in 2001, he helped lead the Bisons to a Vanier Cup appearance.

In 2002, he was so good, he was not only the team’s MVP, but he became only the third Bison defensive lineman to capture the J.P. Metras Trophy, emblematic of the most outstanding lineman in Canadian university football.

“In 2003, I was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game and in that game I was scouted by the Cleveland Browns,” he recalled. “I went to training camp with the Browns and hurt my ankle. I was released, but I never really considered playing in the CFL. I kind of always believed I’d be signed by an NFL team and the Bears got in touch with my agent and here we are. I had a great 10-year NFL career.”

He signed with the Bears in 2003, played the 2004 season in Chicago and went on to spend nine years in the Windy City. In only his third full season with the Bears, Idonije joined an exclusive group: He became the third CIS graduate to play in a Super Bowl. In early February of 2007, Idonije played in Super Bowl XLI as the Bears lost 29-17 to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

“God gives us particular gifts and I’ve used mine to play a professional sport that I enjoy and gives people a great amount of entertainment,” he said. “I loved playing professional football and I owe it all to Coach Dobie and the Bisons.”


STUDENT LIFEGET INVOLVED WITH

Join the University of Manitioba Volunteer Program and volunteer on campus

Build your skills with the Student Leadership Development Programs and meet other student leaders

Connect with like-minded students and the local community through Service-Learning programs such as Reading Buddies, Praxis, Children Rising Mentorship, and Alternative Reading Week Winnipeg

Travel and work for positive change with Service-Learning programs in Belize, Ecuador, Leaf Rapids (Manitoba), Nicaragua, and Tanzania

}

}

}

}

Student Life connects students to a variety of service-learning, leadership and volunteer opportunities! Our programs vary in length from one-day commitments to six-week international experiences. Let Student Life be your connection to the local and global community.

[email protected] | 225 UNIVERSITY CENTRE | 204-474-9093

For more information and to apply to a program, visit: umanitoba.ca/student/studentlife

Photo: Avwerosuo Amromanoh

MAXIMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

ALUMNI


Desiree Scott:

From the Bisons to the world

uring a friendly match between the United States and Canada last summer at Investors Group Field on the U of M campus, a young girl held out a sign for Desiree Scott to autograph.

It read: “This is what dreams are made of.”Scott smiled, signed her name and tapped the young

soccer player on the shoulder. You could tell, the former University of Manitoba star, who is now a veteran member of Team Canada, was once in exactly the

same place.Known as The Destroyer by her teammates and coaches on

the Canadian women’s national team, the 5-foot-2 midfielder has become one of the most important players on Canada’s Women’s Olympic and World Cup side.

But when people watch her play a tough, hard-nosed game against the best players in the world, many don’t know that she learned the game at the University of Manitoba.

Even more incredible is the fact that until the year Scott graduated from high school, the U of M didn’t even have a women’s varsity soccer team. Now it can claim, among its soccer

alumni, one of the greatest players in the world.These days, the 27-year-old from Winnipeg spends most of her time as the only Canadian play-

ing in the English women’s league.“I didn’t know what to expect going over there,” she said. “It’s definitely competitive and a good-

quality league and it’s only improving.”Her resume has become lengthy. In fact, after first making the national squad in 2010, she’s become

one its most impactful players. In fact, her nickname, The Destroyer, is quite appropriate.She was a member of the Canadian women’s team that won a bronze medal at the 2012 London

Olympics, where she started and played every minute for Canada during the six matches en route to the third place finish. She was Canada’s Soccer Female Player of the Month for January 2012 after helping Canada qualify for the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Tournament. During the qualifying tournament, she earned

three-straight “Player of the Match” awards. She started six of seven matches at the 2012 Pan Am Games, a tournament in which Canada won gold. She is the first Manitoba-trained player to

participate in a FIFA Women’s World Cup. Scott has won 94 caps since making her Canadian debut at age 22 in February of 2010 and she played in 49 consecutive Canada matches from 2011 to 2014.

She once told the Canadian Press that she considers herself “a homebody,” so it hasn’t been easy playing in England.

Amazingly, when she’s not playing the game she loves, Desiree is a certified Zumba instruc-tor.

“I love to dance,” she said. “If I had not played soccer, I think I would have gone into dance.”

It’s not surprising then that Scott’s pre-game routine is to do a little dance, just to get the nerves out.

Interestingly, she followed her brother Nick into soccer. “I wanted to be like my big brother,” she said with a

laugh. “He always says I’m living his dream. And to think, my big dreams started at the U of M.”


Thompson torpedo a U of M sensation

imberly Moors will be the first to admit that returning to the University of Manitoba was probably the greatest decision she ever

could have made.And there is nothing that beats being a Bison.“I was in Thompson, I was out of school, I was lifeguarding and coaching at

the Torpedoes and I was raising my daughter on my own,” said Moors, whose family is from God’s Lake First Nation.

“I’d been out of school for awhile and I really wanted to go back. When I first went to the U of M, back when I was 18, I was taking nursing and that wasn’t for me. It’s just something my parents and teachers in high school thought I’d be good at. But I’d been coaching swimming and really working out at the gym. I was in pretty incredible shape and I was really starting to understand my body. I was getting interested in how the human body worked and so I decided I wanted to take Kinesiology. So in 2012, at 26, I decided to go back to the U of M.”

Since that decision Moors has been on quite a ride.This past spring, in her third season with the Bisons – it’s her fourth year of

eligibility, but we’ll get back to that in a minute – she was awesome. On day two of the Canadian Intra-University Sport (CIS) Swimming Championships at the University of Victoria, Moors won a bronze medal in the women’s 50-metre butterfly. She improved five spots from the 2014 CIS Nationals and became the first Bison women’s swimmer to reach the medal podium at the CIS Champion-ships since 2006 when Landice Yestrau was third in the 50m breaststroke.

This national accomplishment came shortly after she’d wowed the crowd at the 2014-15 Canada West Swimming Championship at the University of Lethbridge. Moors won multiple medals and was a conference winner in an individual event. She won the women’s 50-metre freestyle title in a time of 25.62, which also earned her a 2014-15 Canada West First Team All-Star. The winning time also established a new Bison team record in the event.

In addition, Moors swam to a second place in the 50m butterfly in a time of 27.60. She also placed seventh in 100m freestyle (57.29) and tenth in 100m butterfly (1:03.92). During the year, Moors was twice selected as the U of M’s Smitty’s Female Athlete of the Week.

Pretty good for a 29-year-old former dropout who is taking one of the

toughest undergraduate science degrees at the University and is also raising a six-year-old daughter on her own.

But then again, Kimberly Moors accomplishments shouldn’t surprise anyone.

“I started swimming in Thompson when I was seven, partly because my older brother swam and partly because my mom just threw me and my twin sister Kelly (now a social worker) into the pool and said, ‘Go!’” Moors recalled with a laugh. “I had quite a bit of success with the Thompson Northern Torpe-does so, in Grade 9, I decided I wanted to swim with a bigger club, so I moved to Winnipeg on my own and swam with the Marlins.

“It was tough being away from my family so after two years, in Grade 9 and 10, I decided to move back home and spent Grade 11 and 12 swimming with the TNTs and going to high school in Thompson.

“Then, in 2004, I was 18 and I started university. I was back swimming with Vlastic (head coach and former Olympian Cerny) and taking nursing. Turns out that nursing wasn’t something I wanted to do,” she recalled. “I lasted two years and decided it wasn’t for me.”

So she left, returned to Thompson, had a baby, and then she had an epiphany. She is now 29 and swimming alongside the best 18-22 swimmers in the country.

“It hasn’t been easy, but with my daughter Mila for motivation, I’ve been able to do what needs to be done and I’ll graduate next April,” she said. “It’s funny, but when I came back, I had to work up the nerve to go back to Vlastic and ask if I could have the chance to swim again. I think he was a little reluctant but he asked me how many chin-ups I could do. I said, ‘26’ and he said, that’s good enough (world class Australian Olympic swimmers usually do about 20).

“I qualified for the CIS in my first year and I’ve been getting better ever since. I recently read U.S. Olympian Dara Torres’ book. She went back to the Olympics in her 40s. She convinced me that age is just a number. I’ve had no trouble swimming with this generation of swimmers. In fact, I just had a pretty good year.”

Indeed.

Kimberly Moors simply knew she had to be in school. She knew that working as a lifeguard in Thompson, raising her young daughter and coaching competitive swimming on a part-time basis wasn’t the answer. Deep in her heart, she knew there was a lot more out there. So at the age of 26, Moors decided to try university one more time.

K

SWIMMING


Thompson torpedo a U of M sensation

It’s funny, but when I came back, I had to work up the nerve to go back to Vlastic and ask if I could have the chance to swim again.

Photo by Ian McCausland

WE OFFER HIGH- PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS FOR:

• Girls Volleyball

• Girls Hockey

• Boys Hockey

• Girls Basketball

• Boys & Girls Swimming

• Boys Basketball

For full program details visit:

(click on Junior Bisons)

JUNIORJUNIOR

Our Junior Bison programs at the University of Manitoba are available to male and female youth athletes from 8 to 18 years of age across a variety of sports. Our philosophy is to provide opportunities for advanced levels of skill development and competition in sport. We encourage you to visit us at gobisons.ca for more detailed information and direct links to each specific program.

WE OFFER HIGH- PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS FOR:

• Girls Volleyball

• Girls Hockey

• Boys Hockey

• Girls Basketball

• Boys & Girls Swimming

• Boys Basketball

For full program details visit:

(click on Junior Bisons)

JUNIORJUNIOR

Our Junior Bison programs at the University of Manitoba are available to male and female youth athletes from 8 to 18 years of age across a variety of sports. Our philosophy is to provide opportunities for advanced levels of skill development and competition in sport. We encourage you to visit us at gobisons.ca for more detailed information and direct links to each specific program.

illon Perron has come a long way in his swimming career, both competitively and personally.

The product of Lac Du Bonnet first hit the pool at age six, eventually moving to Winnipeg in grade nine, in order to train with the Manta swim club.

After four years with Manta, he moved to the swim team at the University of Manitoba and began what is now a successful CIS career. However, while the swimming aspect at the U of M has always been just fine, the academics became another thing altogether. Perron admits he had trouble balancing training with studying.

“My first year at the university was very tough,” Perron said. “It was sort of a new adjustment for me to actually have school with that regime, and that first year didn’t work out the best for me.”

Perron ended up leaving school for a year, effectively losing two years of CIS eligibility in the process.

But Perron kept on training during his hiatus from CIS competition though, and came back focused in the fall of 2012.

In November of 2012, his hard work and dedication shone through at the Canada Cup. He placed first in both the 50-metre and 100-metre breaststroke events and his times were so good, they both set new provincial records. It earned him a spot at the CIS swimming championships later that season.

Perron noted that one of the big reasons for his success that fall, was his presence at the 2012 Olympic trials, held in March in Montreal.

“That sort of opened me up to a whole new world of swimming,” Perron said. “I’d already been swimming for 15 or 16 years at that point, but I’d never really been to a meet quite as emotional as that. As focused as I was with the

sport at that time, it was even more so after that.” Perron has kept on chugging ever since his return from academic

ineligibility. He placed third in the 100-metre breaststroke at the 2014 CIS championships, and this past year placed second in the 50-metre butterfly.

Entering his final year with Manitoba in 2015, Perron’s opportunities are limitless, and his coaches know it. It just goes to show that no matter what happens in your past, as long as you learn and have the right mindset, anything is possible in the future.

“I have a great relationship with the coaching staff, Vlastic Cerny and Craig McCormick and that creates a productive training environment for me,” Perron said.

“The University of Manitoba has been very supportive in both my athletic and academic pursuits and I am pleased to be able to swim out my entire varsity career here.”

CIS bronze medalist ready for final year in the poolD

SWIMMING



TRACK & FIELD

Wilfred Sam-King, Alhaji Mansaray, Oyinko Akinola, and Abduselam Yussuf are all well-known names on the U of M track and field team and while their athletic journeys may be a bit different, they also share some amazing commonalities.

All four started their competitive running journeys relatively late. Not one of them took up the sport seriously until the tail end of high school. However, once they were immersed in their training however, the rest, as they say, is history. Eventually, each runner made a name for himself at the amateur level.

Sam-King, a Canada West medal-win-ning sprinter, and now a seasoned veteran entering his fifth year with The Herd, was the first of the four to join the U of M track team. While he got a few calls from Division Two, and small colleges in the States, staying at home ultimately made the most academic sense.

“If you leave, you don’t have the same support system that you do at home,” said Sam-King. “And that was a big defining factor.”

Mansaray, a former Bison sports rookie of the year, as well as the current Canada West high jump record holder, was the next

to commit the U of M, joining the squad in 2012-13, two years after Sam-King.

His story is particularly interesting because he was actively recruited by both the Universities of Kentucky and Indiana, yet chose to remain in Manitoba due to both academics and the motivation he got from his hometown squad.

“Basically all my personal bests came when my teammates were there cheering for me, and supporting me,” Mansaray said.

Yussuf – who joined the team the same year as Mansaray and Akinola – took a few years off before starting up with The Herd last season. He had offers, but was on the fence about competing for the Bisons.

“I wanted to go to Red River in the first place,” Yussuf said, “but I also wanted to run, so I was like, ‘Alright, U of M.”

Suffice it to say, Manitoba is glad to have all four athletes. Not only have they posted stellar times (Yussuf in cross country as well), and become threats at the top of the conference, they have also elevated the competition within the squad – something that was lacking four-to-five years ago.

The internal competitiveness and drive was something Akinola noticed from the outset last season.

‘Living what you love’The University of Manitoba Bison men’s track and field squad has a fierce attitude, and a burning desire to take the program to the next level.Wilfred Sam-King

Alhaji Mansaray


TRACK & FIELD

“Those guys (Sam-King, Mansaray, and Yussuf) all come in and you don’t want to do bad,” said Akinola. “You don’t want to just look good on paper.”

With all four athletes leading the way, the men’s squad upped their game in 2014-15, placing second overall at the 2015 Canada West Track and Field Championships. Individually, Akinola grabbed two silvers, and Mansaray won a gold. Mansaray would go on to win a silver at CIS Nationals shortly afterwards.

In terms of when the mindset in training started to change, the majority of the group agreed that it started when Sam-King came along.

“When I first got here, it was more recreational,” said Sam-King, who hails originally from Freetown, Sierra Leone. “There was definitely a lack of leadership, especially in the sprint/power dis-

tances.” While Sam-King acknowledged that the

dedication in practice and the performance in competition has improved, he also noted there is still more work to do.

“We know we have great athletes, but we have

nothing to show for that,” he said. “Individually, we’ve all succeeded and done well, but there’s no team banner, which is the biggest fulfillment.”

Rest assured, this team will be in contention for the Canada West banner again in 2015-16. Manitoba has secured athletes with a winning attitude and a passion to perform.

“I love travelling with the team, I love just competing, I love getting PBs and hitting

standards, and making a team,” Mansaray said. “I just love the whole experience of track and field.”

With that being said, training and pushing your body is always made easier when the people around you want the same results. Of course, it also helps when the bonds between teammates are cemented.

“I’ve made so many great friends, and you meet so many great people,” Yussuf said. “I just love the new experiences you get to

enjoy -- the environment, and the people -- and just the fact that you’re living what you love.”

Oyinko Akinola Abduselam Yussuf

LEARN TODAY...LEAD TOMORROW

CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

umanitoba.ca/extendedto view our courses and certificate programs

“University of Manitoba’s Continuing and Professional Studies was the obvious choice. Being a father of three young children, it was important to me to create a healthy work/life/education balance.”

Joel BillingCertificate In Management and Administration (CIM) Student

CAPS Ad - Bison Sports Magazine V1.indd 1 2015-08-06 1:41 PM

CROSS COUNTRY

onsidering nothing more than Rebekah Sass’s numerous CIS cross country and track accolades, it’s hard to imagine that she didn’t start competitive running until

Grade 10. Once she began however, there was no looking back. “From there, it’s just been every year, taking it more seriously,” Sass says. “And

setting higher goals.”And those goals are high. After a stellar high school running career at St.Mary’s Academy, Sass was faced with

a few different university options. While Guelph and Victoria were both serious suitors, Sass ultimately chose to stick with head coach Claude Berube and the U of M program.

“Claude didn’t give me any reason not to want to stay,” she said. “He basically just told me to put faith in the program and that’s what I did. It’s worked out really well so far.”

To say it’s worked out well would be a rather large understatement. From day-one, Sass has stepped in and elevated the women’s program.

She’s placed in the top 20 in CIS Cross Country Nationals each of her first two seasons and was also named a Canada West First-Team All-Star in both 2013-14,

and 2014-15. While cross country is her preference, Sass also earned a bronze medal at the 2014

Canada West championship in the women’s 4x800-metre relay and followed that up with a bronze medal in the 3000-metre event at the 2015 championships.

With Sass leading the way, the women’s team has improved on a consistent basis. It wasn’t always that way, however.

When Sass first started training with the team, back in her Grade 12 year, she was shocked to find that only three others were coming out during the off-season. The dedication level just wasn’t there.

Since committing to the Bisons and leading by example during training, the mindset of the women’s squad has changed immensely.

“I think having somebody else to sort of push, and who had high goals just sort of helped bring some of the other girls in the distance program forward,” Sass said.

It was that drive which earned Sass a spot as captain of The Herd in just her second year and now that she’s locked in, the team has followed her lead.

“That’s carried over,” she said. “This past outdoor season, we had so many more girls out, committed to training, and committed to improving.

“I think just a little push was all that people needed to see and you know, look what happens when you put in the work.”

Sass provides the push that changed the culture


LEARN TODAY...LEAD TOMORROW

CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

umanitoba.ca/extendedto view our courses and certificate programs

“University of Manitoba’s Continuing and Professional Studies was the obvious choice. Being a father of three young children, it was important to me to create a healthy work/life/education balance.”

Joel BillingCertificate In Management and Administration (CIM) Student

CAPS Ad - Bison Sports Magazine V1.indd 1 2015-08-06 1:41 PM

C


GOLF

evon Schade was playing junior hockey in Waywayseecappo when he realized, “I gotta get back to school.”

As outstanding all-around athlete from Beausejour, Schade was a particularly good hockey player and golfer. However, since the National Hockey League wasn’t about to offer him a contract, perhaps the golf swing that would eventually win him the 2015 Manitoba Amateur Golf Championship could get him a university scholarship.

“I’ve known (U of M golf coach) Garth Goodbrandson for a long time and I really like him,” Schade said, “He’s a great coach and I always wanted to play for him so when he offered me a spot on the team, I couldn’t say no.”

Turns out, after he struggled a little with academics in his first year at the U of M, everything in his life has come together. School was tremendous in year-two and now he’s working to get into the Asper School of Business. He’s also enjoying his hockey career again.

“Yeah, I decided to leave Wayway and the Manitoba Junior League and got an offer to play for the Transcona Railer Express in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League,” he said. “That’s been a great experience. It’s really high-level competitive junior hockey and yet it still offers me the chance to play golf at the U of M and work on my marks so I can, hopefully, get into the Asper School.”

Last year, in his second season with the U of M golf team, Schade was outstanding. He finished tied for15th at the Concordia Invitational, tied for seventh at the Augsburg Invitational, tied for 13th at the St Cloud Huskies Classic, alone in 17th at the Gustavus Twin Cities Classic and he finished his fall season with a tied for second at the University of Victoria’s Vikes Shootout. In May he finished tied for 20th (79-73-68-73-293 total) at the Canadian University Championship. Schade completed the season with an impressive 74.0 scoring average.

“Devon has been a wonderful addition to the Bison Golf Team,” said Goodbrandson. “He had an excellent rookie season and played a big role our three tournament victories.”

“He’s gained some valuable experience in the past year playing his first fall season with the Bisons and then in two National Championships (2014 Canadian Amateur and the 2015 Canadian University Championship). These competitive opportunities prepared him for his success this summer in winning the 2015 Nott Autocorp Manitoba Amateur Championship. His 11 under par 61 was simply an awesome round of golf and a round that he will never forget.”

Now one of the leaders on the Bison golf team, Schade has become one of the top players in the CIS. A big season looms this fall.

“Devon is well respected by his teammates and is becoming a great leader on the team,” Coach Goodbrandson said. “He is an extremely hard worker who does a great job preparing for every tournament. Devon has a very bright future with the Bisons.”

And the Bisons have a very bright future with Devon Schade.

Devon Schade:

This guy can play Photos

courtesy U of M Golf Team

D BISON ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

For full details about this program, visit:

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

The Bison Athlete Development Program is a year-round physical training program for athletes

between the ages of 13 and 18. Our program is consistent with the key principles

of Long Term Athlete Development.Monthly and block rates available.

All sessions are led by our Bison Sport Strength and Conditioning coaches in the Bison High Performance training room at the new Active Living Centre.

REGISTER NOW

BISON ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

For full details about this program, visit:

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

The Bison Athlete Development Program is a year-round physical training program for athletes

between the ages of 13 and 18. Our program is consistent with the key principles

of Long Term Athlete Development.Monthly and block rates available.

All sessions are led by our Bison Sport Strength and Conditioning coaches in the Bison High Performance training room at the new Active Living Centre.

REGISTER NOW

“ I’m reaching the top of my game, in the classroom and on the ice.”

ALANNA SHARMAN, second-year Asper School of Business student, Bison athlete

The Asper School of Business creates leaders• Our undergraduate, MBA and Executive Education programs offer exciting leadership courses and specializations

• Our student groups provide unique opportunities to gain applied leadership experience

• Our connections with Manitoba business leaders give you access to networking and mentorship opportunities you’ll find nowhere else

Leadership

To find out how you can achieve your leadership goals, visit umanitoba.ca/asper

2014-15 Bison Female Rookie of the Year

2014-15 Canada West Women’s Hockey First Team All-Star

2014-15 Canada West All-Rookie Team

2014-15 Canada West Rookie of the Year

2014-15 CIS Women’s Hockey All-Rookie Team

2014-15 CIS Women’s Hockey Rookie of the Year

2014 U of M Leader of Tomorrow

Documents

University of Manitoba Bisons The Magazine