Laurier's Jordan headlines star-studded class of OUA football award winners

Jordan headlines star-studded class of OUA football award winners  

Burlington, Ont. – The football season reliably delivers its share of drama, and 2025 was no exception. Exceptional performances emerged from programs across the province, showcasing the depth of talent on display. Leading the pack of Ontario University Award (OUA) football award winners and all-stars is once again a Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawk as top receiver Ethan Jordan takes home the MVP honours.  

Larry Haylor Award (Most Valuable Player) - Ethan Jordan, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks  

The 1,000-yard receiver, Jordan had yet another record-setting season in purple and gold. For a fourth season in a row, he led all conference receivers in yards, and for a third season straight led his counterparts in touchdown with 10. As if that wasn't enough, this year he also led all receivers with 133.3 yards per game. 

The fifth-year standout knows how to leave his mark on the conference, notching his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, a first for the Laurier Golden Hawks while also securing the ball 68 times, a number that reflects the fourth-most receptions in a season in OUA history.  

Adding his name to the record books the Chatham, Ont. product now tops the OUA with the most career catches with 239.  

This year, he reached over 3,450 career receiving yards, surpassing Laurier's career receiving yards record and claiming second spot in the OUA history books. He also sits second with 30 career receiving touchdowns.  

Along with his record-setting stat line, the psychology student has been named an OUA first team all-star in for the fourth year in a row and a first team all-Canadian in 2023 and 2024.  

With his historic efforts in tow, he has helped make it now three consecutive seasons a Laurier player has won the award – a first such stretch for the program. 

President's Award (Outstanding Stand-Up Defensive Player) - Jessie Wilkins, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 

A force to be reckoned with on the field this season, Wilkins posted a team-leading and career-high 40.5 total tackles. The linebacker led the league with four fumble recoveries, while dressed in purple and gold for all eight regular season contests.  

A defensive difference maker, the third-year music student ranked among the top fifteen in conference solo, assisted, and total tackles.  

This is the second OUA honours for the Golden Hawk, having been recognized as an OUA first team all-star as well.  

J.P. Metras Award (Lineman of the Year) - Erik Andersen, Western Mustangs  

Anderson and the entire Western Mustangs offensive line were influential in opening the gaps and blocking to let the purple and white do what they do best, score.  

The Western offence led the league with 45.1 points per game, and the veteran lineman and King's University College student was influential in allowing his playmakers time and space to hit their mark all season long. 

It is an impressive feat to win this award once but the London, Ont. product thought he would do it twice, taking home back-to-back lineman of the year honours.  

Norm Marshall Award (Rookie of the Year) - Jackson MacKay, Western Mustangs 

MacKay had a sensational debut season for the Western Mustangs. He had 37.5 tackles this season, taking over for Jackson Findlay.  

The defensive back and London, Ont. local had many breakthrough moments this year, one of those being a pick-six for a 62-yard touchdown return.  

A dual-sport athlete, our award winner also competes in track as a multis competitor. This summer he won his second straight men's under-20 decathlon title with a record 7,652 points at the Canadian track and field championships.  

Russ Jackson Award - Luigi Zagaria, Carleton Ravens 

Driven by the motto of 'How we do anything is how we do everything', Zagaria is a model of perseverance and consistency. In the community, he leads by example, earning academic and community awards from the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), while volunteering his time with the Sons of Pericles, a Hellenic organization promoting Greek heritage and community engagement.  

Having volunteered with the Ottawa Greek Festival for more than a decade, his sense of community spirit runs deep. Today, he leads Carleton University initiatives including men's footballs participation in the Residence Move-In and as a lead volunteer for Boys and Girls Club BBQs.  

After his father's passing in 2024, he embraced a role close to his heart. As team organizer and lead fundraiser, he helped Ravens Football participate in the Carleton University Relay For Life. The team raised nearly $10,000 for cancer research and care. 

In football, Zagaria's community roots run further. On campus, the Ottawa local works and volunteers with the Carleton Junior Ravens program and Carleton Ravens Football Camps. Closer to home, he's a volunteer assistant coach with the Sir Robert Borden HS Girl's touch football team.  

After missing his first year at Carleton due to injury, the free safety overcame great personal tragedy in second year to remain committed to the team, his studies and the Carleton community. In his third year, he was finally able to contribute on the field, playing a critical role in the Ravens' win at the 56th Panda Game, recording the game-winning pass breakup with no time left on the clock.   

Zagaria also excels in the classroom. An Academic All-Canadian, he has overcome ever challenge he's faced over the last two years and still maintains an 11.19 CGPA and a spot on the Dean's Honour List while studying computer science.  

Bernie Custis Champion of EDI Award - Mikhail Nembhard, Ottawa Gee-Gees 

Nembhard, a third-year human kinetics student and defensive back has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in sport and education. He believes in the transformative power of sport and learning to drive social change and empowerment. 

At the Lowertown Community, he launched a youth sports program promoting teamwork, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles for youth facing barriers to participation. As a guest speaker at the School Board's Black Youth Forum, he encouraged students to pursue academic and athletic excellence, highlighting the importance of mentorship and representation. 

His community work includes leading fundraising efforts that raised over $30,000 for the BIPOC Student-Athlete Scholarship Endowment and helping develop BSAAC Connect, a community-building initiative fostering mentorship, inclusion, and empowerment for Black students and student-athletes.  

He has also contributed to events celebrating Black excellence, including the Black Excellence Gala and the Ottawa Black Grad Committee, which honor achievements and perseverance among Black graduates. 

Additionally, he supports athlete recovery at the Carleton Rehabilitation Centre, integrating EDI principles into performance assessments and return-to-sport protocols. 

David 'Tuffy' Knight Award - Michael Faulds, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 

Faulds led his team to their second consecutive undefeated regular season, to reach an impressive 61 career regular season coaching wins and 71 overall. These numbers were enough to pass Gary Jeffries for second all-time in Laurier football coaching history in both categories. The Hawks' manager of football operations and head coach trails only this award's namesake David Tuffy Knight, who recorded 85 and 99, respectively. 

His Golden Hawks boasted the best point differential in the conference at plus-197, scoring the second most points per game and surrendering the second fewest in the OUA.   

Under his guidance and led by the dynamic duo of the conference's passing touchdown leader in Cal Wither and receiving yards and touchdown leader Ethan Jordan, his team logged 4,022 yards of total offense and averaged 509.4 yards per game – leading the league.  

The reigning Frank Tindall trophy winner becomes the second head coach to win the David 'Tuffy' Knight Award three years in a row.  

Volunteer Coach of the Year - Rob McMurren, Waterloo Warriors  

In his 28th year of volunteer coaching, McMurren has had many different roles with the Waterloo Warriors coaching staff. His commitment extends beyond the university, as he has also volunteered his time for the past six years coaching with a local high school junior varsity team at Laurel Heights in Waterloo.   

Originally from Essex, he has been a valuable contributor to Waterloo football's community outreach initiative 'Huddle-Up'. 

As a former Warriors football player himself, he exemplifies true dedication by donating his coaching honorarium back to the football program. He is the embodiment of what it means to be a volunteer coach.  

Ken Green Officials Award of Merit - Adam Hinks  

Hinks' officiating career stems back to the mid-90s, following in his father's footsteps.  

His first assignment came when his father couldn't find anyone else to hold the sticks. That gig evolved into a role with the CFL support crew through the late '90s and early 2000s, and by 2000, he had traded in the sticks for a whistle and stripes of his own. 

He spent two years with the CFL as a line judge, but he knew that his heart was with the amateur game, working the highest level of amateur football in Canada. This dedicated individual poured everything into his work with the OUA and has not looked back.  

Since 2022, he has spent majority of his time as either Referee or Umpire, connecting with everyone around the game of football on Saturday afternoons - the coaches, the players, the support staff or PA announcers.  

In his 16 years on the field, he has worked a number of big games – including three Yates Cups and two Vanier Cups. Always calm, learning from those that came before him, including the namesake of this award, that professionalism and fun can coexist on the football field. 

Major Award Winners 

Most Valuable Player - Ethan Jordan, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks  
Outstanding Stand-Up Defensive Player - Jessie Wilkins, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 
Lineman of the Year- Erik Andersen, Western Mustangs  
Norm Marshall Award - Jackson MacKay, Western Mustangs 
Russ Jackson Award - Luigi Zagaria, Carleton Ravens 
Bernie Custis Champion of EDI Award - Mikhail Nembhard, Ottawa Gee-Gees 
David "Tuffy" Knight Award - Michael Faulds, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 
Volunteer Coach of the Year- Rob McMurren, Waterloo Warriors  
Ken Green Officials Award of Merit - Adam Hinks