Rizakos, Rhooms named OUA athletes of the year for the 2025-26 season
Oakville, Ont. - Ontario University Athletics (OUA) celebrated the 2025-26 Honour Awards Banquet on Wednesday, May 14th, with Guelph’s Olivia Rizakos and TMU’s Aaron Rhooms being named athletes of the year.
Athlete of the Year – Olivia Rizakos, Guelph Gryphons
Olivia Rizakos had an extraordinary season for the Guelph Gryphons women’s soccer team. The fourth-year forward and team captain led the Gryphons to a first-place finish in the OUA West Division during the regular season, followed by an OUA silver medal and a berth at the national championship. Along the way, Rizakos earned some of the highest individual honours in university sport, being named both the OUA and U SPORTS Player of the Year.
She became the first player in Guelph program history to win the Chantel Navert Award as U SPORTS Player of the Year and just the fourth Gryphon to be named OUA MVP. A dominant offensive presence all season long, Rizakos scored 11 goals and led the country with 20 points in just 12 regular season games. She either scored or recorded an assist in 12 of Guelph’s 15 matches, serving as a key piece of one of the conference’s top offensive attacks.
Currently pursuing her Master’s in psychology, Rizakos was also named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian for the first time in her career, while earning OUA West First Team All-Star honours for a second consecutive season and the third all-star selection of her Gryphon career.
Athlete of the Year – Aaron Rhooms, TMU Bold
Putting a bow on his OUA career Aaron Rhooms is the 2025-2026 athlete of the year. From being named conference and national rookie of the year to start his career in 2022, to back-to-back OUA most valuable player nods and the 2026 U SPORTS men’s basketball Player of the Year honours, Rhooms has left his impact on university sport.
The veteran guard finished second in the OUA in scoring with 22.0 points per game, while shooting 50 per cent from the field on 376 attempts. The sharp-shooter was known to have the ball in his hands for the crucial moments, delivering multiple clutch game-winning baskets in the dying seconds. A dominant offensive force, the Toronto native recorded three outings of 30-plus points this season, all of which came in front of the TMU Bold faithful.
He led the Bold to an OUA championship, and a berth at the U SPORTS national championship, where he was also named U SPORTS men’s basketball Player of the Year.
Rhooms closes out his career as TMU’s all-time leader in field goals made and three-pointers made, ranks second in total points, and sits fourth in rebounds. Beyond university basketball, he has played three seasons in the CEBL and is currently with the Edmonton Stingers and has represented Canada on the 3x3 U23 men’s national team.
Team of the Year – Brock Badgers Women’s Volleyball
The Brock Badgers hoisted the Quigley Cup for the fourth time in 2026. After a dominate 17-3 regular season the Badgers took back the OUA Championship crown in front of their home crowd in a 3‑1 victory over the McMaster Marauders. Adding to their end of year hardware Mackenna Knox earned First Team all-star honours, while Emily Foest and Emma Baruchelli received Second and Third Team recognition, respectively.
They took that momentum into the national championship showing resilience, leadership and competitive excellence Brock made program history by defeating the Saint Mary’s Huskies 3‑0 to reach the U SPORTS semifinals for the first time. Following a narrow five-set loss to the No. 2 seed Sherbrooke Vert & Or, the Badgers rebounded with a hard-fought 3‑2 victory over host Trinity Western Spartans in the bronze medal match, earning the program’s first-ever national medal in their fourth U SPORTS Championship appearance.
The team’s success really speaks to their resilience, their ability to rise to the moment, and the consistency they showed all season long. It’s also a reflection of the strong culture built within the program and the support of the coaching staff, who continue to help student-athletes grow, compete at a high level, and represent Brock Badgers with pride.
Team of the Year – Guelph Gryphons Men’s Rugby
The Guelph Gryphons continued their dynasty in men’s rugby in 2025, capturing their fifth consecutive OUA Championship with a victory over the Queen's Gaels. The title marked Guelph’s eighth conference championship in program history, as the Gryphons became the first OUA team to win five straight titles since Queen’s won six in a row from 1986 to 1991.
In the championship match, Guelph broke the game open with three tries in a six-minute span, turning a 12–7 lead into a commanding 29–9 advantage on their way to claiming the Turner Trophy.
The Gryphons were dominant all season long, finishing the regular season undefeated at 6–0 and outscoring opponents 374–47 to secure the top seed in the conference.
They then capped off their historic season on the national stage, winning all three matches at the national championship tournament to capture the first national title in program history with a victory over ETS in the championship game. In doing so, the Gryphons became the first Ontario team to win the Spence McTavish Cup.
Adding to an already remarkable season, Cory Hector was named OUA Coach of the Year for a second consecutive season, seven Gryphons earned OUA All-Star honours, and Jakob Schulz was recognized as the OUA Community Service Award recipient.
Coach of the Year – Carla Munch, Waterloo Warriors
Carla Munch had an outstanding season on the links with the Waterloo Warriors. The OUA women’s golf coach of the year led the Warrior to their first OUA Championship since 2011, as three of her players finished in the top 5 at the event, taking home OUA all-star honours. Rookies, Jadelina Tep-Chhun also won the OUA individual silver medal.
Munch has been the head coach of the Warriors women’s golf program since its inception in 2004 and has created a competitive program leading her team to back-to-back OUA gold medals in 2010 and 2011, seven OUA silver medals, and four OUA bronze medals, as well as a bronze medal at the College/University Golf Championship in 2011.
Beyond the historic season with the Warriors, Munch is the Managing Partner and Head Golf Professional at Cambridge Golf Club. She highly recognized and accomplished coach who was voted the 2006 OPGA Assistant Professional of the Year, and was appointed as a Coach with the FISU World University Games five times.
On the provincial and national stage, Munch was named as an Assistant Coach for Team Ontario at the 2013 Canada Summer Games and was awarded the 2011 Developmental Coach of the Year from the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO). Rounding out her long list of accomplishments in 2019 Munch was named the PGA of Canada's top golf coach.
Coach of the Year – Taffe Charles, Carleton Ravens
In his seventh season at the helm of the Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team, Taffe Charles guided a rebuilt roster back to the top of Canadian university basketball, leading his program to the 2026 U SPORTS Final 8 Championship and capturing Carleton’s first national title since 2023 and eighteenth in program history. With a group reshaped by key graduations and incoming transfers, Charles established a culture of belief and accountability that helped the Ravens find consistency all year and deliver when it mattered most.
Carleton finished 17-5 in conference play during the regular season to lock up first place in the OUA East, with an impressive 10-1 record on the road. Pairing disciplined defence with a physical, possession-winning approach that made them the conference’s top rebounding team, and boasting the defensive player of the year, Nelson Cilien. The Ravens put up an incredible OUA playoff run, falling in the Wilson Cup final to the TMU Bold.
With Charles leadership Carleton didn’t falter as the Ravens entered the Final 8 as the sixth seed, before beating the RSEQ champions from Laval, getting their revenge against the TMU Bold the OUA Champions and finally capturing their eighteenth national championship in program history against the wildcard entry from Bishop's. Led by Charles the Ravens wrote an incredible story of resilience to add to their dominant dynasty and Charles impressive 2025-26 season.
J.P. Loosemore Award – Sheila-Ann Newton, Carleton Ravens
Sheila-Ann Newton has embodied the spirit of varsity athletics for more than 30 years through her professionalism, leadership, and unwavering commitment to student-athlete success and well-being. Since joining Carleton University in 2017 as Varsity Administrator and Student-Athlete Services Coordinator, she has become a cornerstone of the department, known for the genuine care and compassion she brings to every aspect of her work.
Throughout her time at with the Ravens, Newton has played a vital role in supporting student-athletes, coaches, and partners at Carleton, helping create a student-athlete experience rooted in dignity, access, and opportunity. Her leadership in eligibility and compliance has ensured the fair and consistent application of OUA and U SPORTS regulations, always advocating for and protecting the best interests of student-athletes while helping teams remain prepared and competition-ready.
Her impact extends far beyond administration. Newton has been a passionate advocate for the transformative power of university sport and has helped shape initiatives that support student-athletes both on and off the field of play. She has helped Carleton's Varsity Council establish a series of annual programs that not only empower student-athletes to take leadership positions in our community but have also led to thousands of dollars being raised to support the greater Ottawa area. Her passion for student well-being led to the development and leadership of key initiatives, most notably the Food Insecurity Program, which addressed a critical and often unseen need within our student-athlete population.
Known for her institutional knowledge, integrity, and ability to bring people together, Newton has helped hundreds of student-athletes navigate their academic and athletic journeys while empowering them to grow as leaders within their communities. Her lasting impact on the Ravens community and across university sport is a testament to the passion and dedication she has brought to every student-athlete experience.
John McManus Award – Michèle Bélanger, Toronto Varsity Blues
A Canadian university coaching pioneer, Michèle Bélanger began her career at the University of Toronto in 1979. To say she has had success at the university level would be an understatement.
A veteran of national and international competition, as both a player and coach, Bélanger is an institutional icon. She exudes greatness across four decades, from winning Toronto only women's basketball national title in 1986, to helping coach Team Canada to a silver-medal finish at the 2015 FISU Games.
A member of the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame and the longest tenured women's head coach in university history, she guided the Varsity Blues to nine OUA championship titles and was honoured as the conference coach of the year on eight separate occasions. Adding to her honours been inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bélanger coached 38 athletes to OUA all-star honours and nine players to U SPORTS all-Canadian status, while making 17 appearances at the U SPORTS national championship. Five of her former players were named to the U SPORTS Top 100 all-century team, two are Nan Copp winners as the best female basketball player in the country, one of whom, Justine Ellison-Sharp, was also named the most outstanding female university athlete in 1996.
The numbers speak for themselves as in her 41 seasons at U of T, Bélanger coached in 1358 games, recording 854 wins in the process.
Media Member of Distinction - Dashawn Stephens, PRSVRE
Dashawn Stephens has become a fixture in the university and college sports community, consistently demonstrated through his expertise and passion for covering Canadian university and college sports via his media outlet PRSVRE.
Since its creation in 2019, PRSVRE has shown unwavering support for Canadian university and college sport, establishing itself as a go-to media outlet of both the OUA and U SPORTS. Under Dashawn’s guidance, PRSVRE has shown continuous growth, expanding from a one-man newsletter and social media channel, to a comprehensive outlet with multiple points of engagement. Covering a wide range of sports and events, the now PRSVRE Media Group has university and college athletics covered from pre-season games to national championships, from basketball on the court to wrestling on the mats.
Stephens commitment to providing comprehensive coverage of university and college sports has helped raise the profile of both Canadian university competition and its student-athletes. He has shown an exceptional ability to report on the stories that matter most to his audience, while also finding unique and entertaining ways to engage with followers through his high-quality social media platforms.
The growth of PRSVRE has also created opportunities for others. From photographers and videographers providing their work for PRSVRE, to writers and social media managers for the expanding sport-specific accounts and features, individuals from across the province and country are being given a chance to share their own love for university and college sports to the over 48k Instagram followers, 11k TikTok followers, 1.3k Youtube subscribers, and hundreds more subscribed to the PRSVRE newsletter, all thanks to what Stephens has built.
OUA Woman of Distinction Award - Kate McCrae Bristol, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
In a short period of time Kate McCrae Bristol has left her mark on the OUA in many ways, as an administrator, coach, and student-athlete. McCrae Bristol has been an leader at Laurier since joining as the dean of students in 2019. In 2022, she became Laurier’s first women Director of Athletics and Recreation, where she guided the department through a period of modernization and renewal. She played a pivotal role in advancing the multi-phase Seagram Drive Project, including developing a new funding and partnership model with the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union and the Graduate Students’ Association. She was also influential in always pushing boundaries with the Golden Hawks, leading to great success on and off the field.
She has tirelessly contributed to the OUA community through her entire career to date, defined by her commitment to strengthening student experience and supports. Before her tenure as Dean of Students, McCrae Bristol boasted an impressive coaching background in both the OUA and the NCAA. She served as an assistant basketball coach at Laurier, with the Waterloo Warriors and at Yale University. Her contributions extended to the national sports program manager position at Special Olympics Canada, where she gained invaluable insights that she intends to leverage at Laurier.
McCrae Bristol is honoured with the OUA Women of Distinction this year, but she is just getting started as in her new role vice-president, student affairs at Laurier and a continued supporter of the OUA.
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award of Excellence – Chris Zimmerman, Queen’s Gaels
Chris Zimmerman has continued to be a leader in the equity, diversity, and inclusion space within the OUA and beyond, recognized this year with his second consecutive men’s volleyball Champion of EDI Award, and now the OUA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award of Excellence.
The team captain as the lead organizer for the inaugural Queen’s Volleyball Pride Games, Queen’s Volleyball Pride Games, creating a visible, inclusive event that celebrated and supported the LGBTQ2+ community.
In his role as Co-President of the Varsity Leadership Council, Chris spearheaded key initiatives including the Movember campaign and organized lunch-and-learns focused on Truth and Reconciliation, mental health, and life after sport.
He further strengthened the student-athlete experience as the lead of the Queer and Gender Diverse Student-Athlete Association and through his involvement with the SHIFT Project, Culture Day programming, and the AMS Social Issues Commission.
His leadership in 2025–26 has been defined by meaningful action, creating lasting impact across his team, the department, and the broader Queen’s community.
Zimmerman is a member of the Culture Day committee, where he helped organize a 500-person event for student-athletes to showcase cultural diversity through a talent show and food catered from multiple Kingston restaurants. He also works with local 2SLGBTQ+ groups in Kingston to help ensure there is an accessible community for Queen’s student-athletes.
A true contributor on and off the court, Zimmerman averaged 8.92 assists per set this season, sixth among his conference counterparts, and became Queen’s men’s volleyball all-time leader in assists this year.
Community Service Award – Aaron Thompson, Western Mustangs
What distinguishes Aaron Thompson is not only the breadth of his involvement, but the depth and integration of his contributions, so it is no surprise that he is the inaugural winner of the OUA Community Service Award. As a medical student, varsity track athlete, and mental wellness leader, he is uniquely positioned to support others through both lived experience and professional insight. He consistently exceeds expectations, advancing the well-being of those around him while balancing the demands of medical school and elite athletics. His work is driven by genuine compassion and a desire to make a difference, not by recognition or obligation. As a result, he has made a meaningful and lasting impact on his peers, his community, and the broader student-athlete environment.
His community contributions are extensive, sustained, and leadership driven. As a Western Mustangs Varsity Athletics Mental Wellness Representative, he plays a central role in leading the Mental Wellness Lead program, supporting a team of approximately 45 wellness leads representing every varsity program at Western. He also serves as the mental wellness lead for track and field, providing peer support and helping foster a strong culture of well-being within varsity athletics.
Thompson’s commitment to mentorship also extends beyond athletics. As a medical school application and interview mentor, he supports prospective students through a highly competitive and complex admissions process. He further contributes to youth development as a junior track and field coach.
Together, these roles reflect a sustained commitment to mentorship across multiple levels, from youth athletes to future medical professionals, demonstrating both range and continuity in his service. He also brings long-standing experience in healthcare and safety roles. As a first aid attendant since 2015, Aaron has supported numerous events and community settings, helping ensure the safety and well-being of participants. He has also volunteered at the Grand River Hospital Cancer Centre, assisting genetic counsellors with patient risk assessment and clinical processes, underscoring his commitment to patient care and community health.
This honour culminates a long list of recognition for Thompson, which includes most recently back-to-back OUA and U SPORTS track and field student-athlete community service awards.
