April 3, 2009
CURLER HOLLIE NICOL NAMED OUTSTANDING WOMEN OF LAURIER
WATERLOO, Ont. - Hollie Nicol has been named the 2009 Outstanding Woman of Laurier. Nicol, who balances a busy schedule of curling, academics and community volunteerism, received the award Thursday during an exclusive luncheon at the Waterloo Inn & Conference Centre.
"Hollie is a talented athlete, an excellent student and an active volunteer in our region," said Peter Baxter, Laurier's director of athletics and recreation. "I hope that receiving the 2009 Outstanding Women of Laurier award will position her as a role model to female athletes in our community who are looking to balance involvement in sports with higher education."
Nicol is a fourth-year kinesiology student who has played for the Golden Hawks curling team since her freshman year. She is a two-time national champion, as the team just defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 6-4 at the Royal Montreal Curling Club at the CIS Championships this past weekend. Earlier this season, the team led by skip Nicol, finished with silver at the winter Universiade in Harbin, China.
Nicol has volunteered with numerous groups at the KW Granite Curling Club, including the Special Olympics program, instructing wheelchair curlers and working with a boy with arthritis. Nicol has also volunteered at numerous celebrity skip charity tournaments.
"I am honoured to receive this award considering the quality of the applications. From what we have just heard about these women, you can really see how Laurier develops amazing athletes and leaders," said Nicol.
Laurier launched the Outstanding Women of Laurier award in 2006 to recognize female students who combine athletic and academic achievement with an active commitment to the development of young athletes through community teaching or coaching. Nicol received $1,000 and a gold pendant for her accomplishments in front of a crowd of approximately 340 people who attended the luncheon ceremony.
Eighteen women competed for the prestigious award this year, including three who joined Nicol as finalists: Renata Adamczyk, Tesca Andrew-Wasylik and Megan Gilmore. Each of the finalists also received a gold pendant and a $500 financial award.
This year's event included an inspirational keynote address by Leigh Hobson, a Waterloo native, who won a bronze medal at the Montreal Women's cycling World Cup, and was hosted by Laurier alumna Diaene Vernile, anchor and producer for Provincewide.
Also during the event, the annual the Outstanding Women of Laurier Alumni Founders Award was presented to Carol Stewart. Stewart was a four-year starter with the women's volleyball team from 1981-82 season through to 1984-85. She earned a starting role on her team in her first year and eventually grabbed the rookie of the year honours. In her final season with the Golden Hawks she earned the most valuable player honours while also maintaining the role of president of the women's athletic association. For her contributions she earned the female contributing most to Athletics in 1984 along with the Academic Athletic Achievement Award. She was inducted into the Laurier Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1990
This year's event raised approximately $60,000. The event proceeds will help women's athletic initiatives, the mentoring program as well as scholarships.
Source: Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
"Hollie is a talented athlete, an excellent student and an active volunteer in our region," said Peter Baxter, Laurier's director of athletics and recreation. "I hope that receiving the 2009 Outstanding Women of Laurier award will position her as a role model to female athletes in our community who are looking to balance involvement in sports with higher education."
Nicol is a fourth-year kinesiology student who has played for the Golden Hawks curling team since her freshman year. She is a two-time national champion, as the team just defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 6-4 at the Royal Montreal Curling Club at the CIS Championships this past weekend. Earlier this season, the team led by skip Nicol, finished with silver at the winter Universiade in Harbin, China.
Nicol has volunteered with numerous groups at the KW Granite Curling Club, including the Special Olympics program, instructing wheelchair curlers and working with a boy with arthritis. Nicol has also volunteered at numerous celebrity skip charity tournaments.
"I am honoured to receive this award considering the quality of the applications. From what we have just heard about these women, you can really see how Laurier develops amazing athletes and leaders," said Nicol.
Laurier launched the Outstanding Women of Laurier award in 2006 to recognize female students who combine athletic and academic achievement with an active commitment to the development of young athletes through community teaching or coaching. Nicol received $1,000 and a gold pendant for her accomplishments in front of a crowd of approximately 340 people who attended the luncheon ceremony.
Eighteen women competed for the prestigious award this year, including three who joined Nicol as finalists: Renata Adamczyk, Tesca Andrew-Wasylik and Megan Gilmore. Each of the finalists also received a gold pendant and a $500 financial award.
This year's event included an inspirational keynote address by Leigh Hobson, a Waterloo native, who won a bronze medal at the Montreal Women's cycling World Cup, and was hosted by Laurier alumna Diaene Vernile, anchor and producer for Provincewide.
Also during the event, the annual the Outstanding Women of Laurier Alumni Founders Award was presented to Carol Stewart. Stewart was a four-year starter with the women's volleyball team from 1981-82 season through to 1984-85. She earned a starting role on her team in her first year and eventually grabbed the rookie of the year honours. In her final season with the Golden Hawks she earned the most valuable player honours while also maintaining the role of president of the women's athletic association. For her contributions she earned the female contributing most to Athletics in 1984 along with the Academic Athletic Achievement Award. She was inducted into the Laurier Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1990
This year's event raised approximately $60,000. The event proceeds will help women's athletic initiatives, the mentoring program as well as scholarships.
Source: Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
