VANCOUVER – For the first time in three years, the UBC Thunderbirds celebrated the annual Big Block Awards with an in-person ceremony to honour the best and brightest student-athletes over the past year.
Held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Wednesday night, the event brought together as many current T-Birds, alumni, coaches, and staff as possible in order to celebrate the remarkable achievements over the 2021-22 season.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Awarded for the first time since 2020, women's rowing was honoured with the Du Vivier Team of the Year Award. Capturing the 2021 Canadian University Women's Championship in Ontario, the T-Birds dominated the field en route to the program's fourth national title. Not only did the team make it three consecutive banners, they made history by medaling in every event, including two gold.
BOBBY GAUL AWARD
Diego Alatorre was honoured with the Bobby Gaul Award as the top graduating male athlete. A starting offensive lineman in all four seasons with the T-Birds, Alatorre personified excellence on the field, in the locker room, in the gym, and in the classroom. A Canada West All-Star in 2021, Alatorre is a three-time Academic All-Canadian and the first Mexican born player to compete on the gridiron for UBC.
Finalists: Donald Carson (Rugby), Jaren LeFranc (Swimming)
MAY BROWN AWARD
Emily Moore from Women's Soccer was highlighted Wednesday as UBC's top graduating female athlete with the 2022 May Brown Award. A multiple Academic All-Canadian, Moore is a Canada West and U SPORTS champion as well as a national championship All-Star. She finished her T-Birds career second all-time in program wins, and top ten all-time in U SPORTS shutouts. Moore also recently became the first U SPORTS player to sign with the WSL in England.
Finalists: Madison Gold (Rugby), Shania Remandaban (Golf)
BUS PHILLIPS AWARD
Capping off his final season with the blue and gold as both the Canada West and U SPORTS Goaltender of the Year awards, Rylan Toth took to the Queen E stage to receive yet another accolade, this time as UBC's Male Athlete of the Year. Leading Men's Hockey to an unprecedented second consecutive berth at the University Cup national championship, Toth set a new single-season program record with four shutouts and tied a conference record with three in a row. All accomplished in a shortened 20-game regular season, the Saskatoon native put up 11 wins, a .920 save percentage and a 2.34 goals against average.
Finalists: Grant Audu (Basketball), Blake Tierney (Swimming)
MARILYN POMFRET AWARD
Given annually to the top female T-Bird athlete, the 2022 award was given to Women's Hockey defenceman Rylind MacKinnon. The Canada West defenceman of the year, MacKinnon was also named a first team All-Canadian and helped the T-Birds secure their first conference championship since 2017. She led all Canada West blue liners with 10 goals and her 21 points was tops among all U SPORTS defenceman and second overall in the conference.
Finalists: Danielle Steer (Soccer), Savannah Bauder (Rugby)
MALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The unanimous selection as Canada West Football's Rookie of the Year, Garrett Rooker took home the overall T-Birds honour Wednesday night. Averaging 240 yards passing per game and the fourth best completion percentage in the country at 68.8 percent, Rooker made the transition to the Canadian game as a freshman quarterback look seamless, leading UBC back to the Hardy Cup playoffs.
Finalists: Blake Tierney (Swimming), Julien Wiese (Rowing)
FEMALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Emma O'Croinin's dominance in the pool saw her earn the 2022 Female Rookie of the Year award. Named both the Canada West and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, O'Croinin earned four gold medals and two silver at the recent national championship where she helped the 'Birds to a second-place finish. She also won a pair of Canada West gold and two silver medals at the conference meet in November.
Finalists: Sophia Ferreira (Soccer), Florence Symonds (Rugby)
CAROLYN DOBIE-SMITH AWARD
Given to the top student-trainer each year, the 2022 award was given to Alyssa Juma. In her third season with Women's Hockey, she helped lead her team through a very challenging period of the pandemic, always with professionalism, care, and an infectious smile. Her communication between athletes, coaches, and IST staff has been exceptional as has her leadership role on tackling ever-changing health protocols.
Finalists: Daniel Fan (Men's Soccer), Nicole Zilberman (Women's Basketball)
KAY BREARLEY AWARD
In recognition of service to women's athletics, Madison Gold from Women's Rugby was honoured as the 2022 recipient. In addition to her many achievements on the field, perhaps none is more relevant nor impressive as her leadership. On a program with nearly 60 athletes, she has been a support to countless teammates over her tenure as a Thunderbird. In addition to playing, she has been heavily involved in coaching with the women's rugby academy and has played an enormous role in helping develop UBC Women's Rugby to where it is today.
ARTHUR W. DELAMONT AWARD
Awarded to someone who has provided outstanding service and spirit to UBC Athletics, the Arthur W. Delamont Award was given to
Amanda Jones. A former Graduate Assistant, Jones is a champion for student-athlete mental and physical health. She is a member of the Varsity EDI Committee, teaches at the school of Kinesiology, and leads six teams as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, for starters.
TAC BUZZ MOORE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Awarded annually by the Thunderbird Athletic Council, the 2022 recipient is Sara Godon from Women's Swimming. The award represents peer recognition for outstanding qualities and achievements in individuals and acknowledges students at UBC who are outstanding athletes, leaders, contributors and, above all, outstanding people.
