SACOBIE CAPS CAREER AS FIVE-TIME GEE-GEES FOOTBALL MVP
The graduated fifth-year senior was selected uOttawa football MVP for a team-record fifth consecutive season as one of nine 13th Man Awards to close the book on a 2008 season in which the Gee-Gees played for the Yates Cup OUA championship for the second time in three years.
"This is probably more important to me than any Hec Crighton award," said Sacobie, 25, who finished a five-season career as the Gee-Gees all-time leading passer with 9,885 passing yards and 79 touchdown passes, good for third and second spot on the CIS all-time passing list.
"I'm more thankful than anybody."
The six-foot-four Sacobie drove from Ottawa on Feb. 5 for a month-long stay in the northern Quebec hinterland with aboriginal youth and elders from the Cree Nation of Mistissini.
"Getting out in the real world, I guess," said Sacobie, who graduated with a Social Sciences degree in December and is busy considering applying for uOttawa Law for September 2010 admission, in addition to preparing for a CFL free-agent combine in March.
"I have worked too hard and too long to just turn my back on football," said Sacobie.
Fourth-year linebacker Mike Cornell was selected Gee-Gees Defensive Player of the Year.
A 230-pound native of Hamilton, Ont., Cornell, 22, led OUA in tackles with 53.5 – the fifth highest total in Canada - and is a highly-rated prospect heading into the 2009 CFL draft.
"Never been more ready," said Cornell, who maintains a two-a-day, three-hour workout schedule in preparation for the possibility of his first CFL training camp.
"That's what my dream is … hopefully it happens."
Selected best offensive player was third-year running back Davie Masson, who broke a 27-season OUA and CIS playoff record with 327 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 42-37 quarter-final win at Guelph.
University of Ottawa Gee Gees Football
2009 Team Awards
Team Spirit and Dedication - Lumsden/Avery Award
Joe Barnes – Fifth-Year Linebacker
13th Man Award – Dr. Robert Pelletier Award
Evan Prokipchuk - Third-Year Defensive Lineman
46th Man Award - Ray Perras Award
John Beck – First-Year Linebacker
Most Outstanding Rookie – Coach Matt Anthony Award
Alex Fortier-Labonte – First-Year Receiver
Best Lineman - Miles Gorrell Award
Frank Spera – Fourth-Year Offensive Lineman
Best Offensive Player
Davie Mason – Third-Year Running Back
Best Defensive Player - Michel Dupuis Award
Mike Cornell – Fourth-Year Linebacker
Special Team Player of the Year – Chris Evraire Trophy
Graham Voth – Fifth-Year Linebacker/Fullback
Team MVP
Josh Sacobie – Fifth-Year Quarterback
Lettermen Recipients 2008-09 (Four-Year Players)
DL Evan Prokipchuk
DL Bill Pritchard
DL Tyler Dawe
LB Mike Cornell
DB Maxime Bedard
OL Frank Spera
RB Davie Mason
RB Craig Bears
Rec. Matt Bolduc
Source: Gee-Gees Athletics
Photo Credit: Joël Côté-Cright