SPEECH MADE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THIS AWARD

(Linda Macpherson, Athletics Coordinator speaking) A new award introduced last year; we decided that the category of Coach of the Year" needed to be expanded a little bit and we're glad we did! It would have been an impossible decision to make this year with two of our winning coaches being recognized by their respective leagues as being the best in the province. We wanted to expand the criteria to include some people who are a little more behind the scenes that ought to be recognized. This is not to say that coaches cannot be considered for this award because they most certainly have been. All of our coaches have been considered for the simple fact that they work full time jobs off campus and then come to Vanier where they work an additional 20-30 hours per week. I sincerely hope that you athletes take the time to show your appreciation to them. I'll take this opportunity to thank a number of people who also help out with our athletics programs that don't necessarily get the credit and thanks that they deserve.

- Liz in Admissions, who spends tons of time liaising with me and the coaches about our recruits,
- Marilyn in advising who helps the athletes so much with schedule building and getting organized to go to the next level, whether it is the NCAA Clearing House or CIS schools. Also from the advising department is Anita McManus who is also a great resource person for our athletes.
- Terry Meldrum and Claude Beausoleil who volunteer as academic coaches with the football team.
- Dany Brown SS who helps us out wherever required and is here tonight helping at the reception desk.
- Doug Miller who is our go to guy in the Learning Center.
- Joe Twardowski, PE Coordinator who is always there to support the athletes.
- Guy Quinn, PE teacher who has been a big part of getting the football team's study hall off the ground.
- Jim Atkinson Student Services who helps us with football stats.
- Rick Yuen - not only FFB Coach but also the timer at the football games and resident Cheetah historian.
- Paul Fournier from Security and the print shop.
- Max Hanna our head athletic therapist and all of his assistants who are volunteers: JP, Dinos, Jason, Oliver, and Jani (Max - Al's).
- Richard Pellerin from purchasing does football game setups for us.
- Several parents from the football team helped us with videotaping, stats and photography - John Mahoney being one of them.
- Vahan Momdjian teaches in the computer and digital systems department and is a volunteer running our tennis program.
- Also the equipment room staff and especially Ritchie who works in the evenings and deals with many of our coaches and athletes.
- The VCSA -, President David Zhang and Athletic Officer Tarique Jones. They have been supporters of the teams all year and have provided each athlete with a team photo that your coaches will distribute.

So many people….. But we have decided to honor someone this year that has had a direct and huge impact on our entire program and indeed our recruiting with what he does. I have been lucky enough to travel across the country in my capacity with the CCAA and have had comments from far and wide about our fantastic web page. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Denis Lafontaine has produced and manages the best athletic web site in any College in the country. He is limited only by what we are able to provide him with. We send Denis results and tidbits in all types of formats and he is able to play with the info and do his magic and incorporate it into a very professional looking format and have it up and online almost immediately. He has been doing the page since the very beginning and we cannot thank him enough for making us look so good!

It is my pleasure to ask our Director General Gilbert Héroux to present the Outstanding Contribution Award to the The Cheetahs Web Master - Denis Lafontaine.