Lazaridis School varsity athletes recognized for the 2022-2023 season

Aug. 24, 2023

The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics takes pride in the outstanding performance of our student athletes both on and off the field. It takes considerable personal leadership and dedication to the balance their academic program and their sport while achieving success at such a high level.

In the 2022-23 season, there were 135 Lazaridis School student athletes across the 18 varsity teams – representing more than 25 per cent of Laurier’s varsity athletes. At this year’s Athletic Banquet, 15 Lazaridis students were recognized with team awards.

We had the opportunity to connect with some of the award winners and hear about their experiences and how they’ve been able to define success. Congratulations to all our Lazaridis School student athletes, and especially the award recipients:

Ellie Aling, second-year BBA

Rookie of the Year, Cheer

Being part of the business community at Lazaridis means a great deal to me and my future endeavors. Not only am I constantly supported by incredible professors, but I also have the privilege of being surrounded by like-minded students. The community extends far beyond the classroom, as the school actively fosters a wide range of clubs and networking activities, involving numerous alumni and industry leaders. This remarkable support system enables me to access invaluable guidance within a supportive and diverse community.

Miranda Campbell, fourth-year BBA in Strategic Management with a Minor in Psychology

MVP, Women’s Basketball

The business community at the Lazaridis School and the athletics community at Laurier are so friendly and fun to be part of. I love how I know so many people in my classes, the professors are so caring and welcoming, and everyone is just rooting for you to succeed.

I have a great support system through my group of friends that I can rely on to help me out. They have been there when I need notes from a class I missed or when I need to talk about something I am struggling with, whether it be academically or athletically. Additionally, relying on my teammates as a support system is very important. I am reminded that they are going through the same things  I am and understand the pressure and commitment that comes with being a student athlete on a fall and winter sports team.

To those considering the Lazaridis School, I would say it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to be a part of a smaller  community. The classes are small, so you get the chance to know your peers and professors really well. There are also a lot of group projects, where you learn transferrable work and life skills such as conflict resolution, teamwork, and collaboration. I love that I am challenged academically, but also given the resources to succeed. 

Samir Ghouli, BA in Economics, Management Option, Computer Science Minor 

MVP, Men’s Soccer

It gives me a great deal of pride to be a part of the business community at the Lazaridis School. They have produced so many influential individuals, from politicians and economists to CEO’s and successful entrepreneurs, which is inspiring to me as a student. It’s a very well-connected community and it provides great professional opportunities through its co-op program and well-established clubs association, which makes it an exciting place to be!

The Lazaridis school is a great place to kickstart your career. They offer a great combination of theoretical and practical learning opportunities which make it an engaging place to learn. Their well renowned co-op program, and student-run clubs association makes it a hub for professional opportunities. Whether it be through an internship or active involvement in extracurriculars, the Lazaridis school provides a variety of tools that help students build the foundation for a successful career.  

It means a lot to me to be a part of the Laurier athletics community as well. I understand that it’s something not everyone gets to do, and I feel really privileged to be able to play varsity sports. For that reason, I’m determined to make the very most of this opportunity. Varsity athletics has been an amazing experience for me so far, and I’m excited to see what it has to offer in the future.

Receiving an athletics award for the 2022/23 season is an incredible honor. It is an amazing feeling to be acknowledged by my teammates and coaches for my dedication and hard work. I genuinely believe that this recognition is a testament to the combined efforts and relentless commitment of our entire team and coaching staff throughout the season. To me, this award serves as a reminder of the countless hours of training and support we have invested in each other. Throughout my first two years at Laurier, I’ve seen this group make a lot of progress, we have created a competitive environment that drives every player to be their best, and I’m excited to see what we accomplish in seasons to come.

Ethan Golias, fourth-year BBA in Finance

MVP, Men’s Soccer

Being part of the business community at the Lazaridis School means a great deal to me. The school itself is very well connected and individuals are given many opportunities to further their knowledge with clubs, co-op programs, and events.

Balancing athletics and academics has sometimes been a challenge for me. It has brought many benefits and valuable life lessons. Dealing with the busy schedule has taught me important skills such as time management and setting priorities that I will use for a lifetime. 

Receiving an athletic award is a huge deal to me. This is a great experience as it means that I was recognized by my coaches and teammates. In general, I believe this achievement was also a team effort. The men’s soccer team has made tremendous progress and I believe that the success for this team is on its way.

Kent Goni Avila, third-year BBA

MVP, Men’s Swimming

It is a privilege to be a part of a team that pushes each other to achieve our ambitious goals  in and out of the athletic centre. We have learned things throughout the years and look forward to helping guide future rookies, further establishing a sense of family. Athletes can feel how the athletics community at Laurier is committed to fostering a sense of resilience and commitment to excellence. I wouldn't trade the invaluable life lessons, friendships, or unforgettable memories made for anything. Although swimming is an individual sport, we compete for each other and more importantly, to represent our school as Golden Hawks.

Between being a full-time student and training upwards of 20+ hours a week, it is crucial to stay on top of everything to be successful. Weekly planners help me prioritize effective time management and organization skills to ensure that I have allocated enough time to do what needs to be completed. Establishing short-term goals help me stay motivated throughout the day and stay on task while concurrently working towards long-term goals I set for both academics and swimming. Having open communication with coaches and professors is crucial to that balance. I have always had support from TAs and professors when communicating with them on conflicts with swimming whether it was missing a lab or receiving a small extension. I have always left time to myself to relax and socialize with friends and family because it is important to maintain relationships and a healthy lifestyle to be able to give each day your fullest. 

Abby Marshall, BBA in Accounting

MVP, Women’s Swimming

I am very proud to be a part of the business community at the Lazaridis School. To me, this opportunity means that I am a representative of the excellence in education that this school has developed. This program holds a very distinguished reputation in the business world and is widely recognized as a top-tier program. Whenever I tell people I go to Laurier for BBA I always receive positive comments, the most prominent response is “Great choice, they have a great business school there,” and I have to agree. Moreover, what truly makes me proud to be a student at the Lazaridis School is the community, it is always so welcoming and engaging. There is never a lack of events to partake in which provides so many opportunities to network and engage with fellow students and professionals.

Being a part of the athletics community at Laurier to me means being able to play a sport I love for a school I love. Being a Golden Hawk means I embody sportsmanship and competition while still creating an environment of support within the community. Being able to represent the school at various competitions throughout the OUA instills a sense of honour and achievement getting to do it alongside my teammates and classmates. I have found the athletes community at Laurier is very connected and close as we have a smaller school, this gives the athletes a chance to meet other athletes on various teams and further develop the sense of a being a part of a larger team than just your sport. This support allows us all to strive for greatness together weather it's through cheering at games, or pushing through training, the community of teammates has shaped me into a more resilient, determined individual.

When recognized with an athletic achievement award, I was filled with a sense of pride for myself and my dedication to the sport. Receiving additional recognition validates all the early mornings, countless hours of training in and out of the pool and sacrifices made during the season to invest myself in the sport. This athletics award reinforces the words of my coaches that, “You get what you give”, these words remind me that continuing to set goals and striving for excellence is not easy, but worth every hour of training in the end.  

Maxeen Mullen, second-year BBA

Rookie of the Year, Women’s Swimming

Being a part of the Business community at the Lazaridis School has been an amazing experience for me so far. Throughout my first year, I felt extremely supported by all the faculty apart of the business community. I had more than understanding professors and instructional assistants willing to work with and support me to achieve my goals. I was also able to form wonderful friendships with many of my peers in the business community. Most importantly, I thoroughly enjoyed the experiential learning opportunities that the Lazaridis School offers.  I chose this school because of its reputation and the experiential, practical work experience. What I've experienced to date has far exceeded what I expected.

Being a part of the athletic community at Laurier has been instrumental in the success and enjoyment of my first year. Swimming has always been important to me, and I am so grateful to continue my passion for the sport I love at Laurier. The community and sportsmanship provided by being a part of the varsity swim team have been monumental to me. The athletic community at Laurier has supported me in numerous ways, allowing me to achieve all my goals in sports and academics. Being a part of the athletic community has also allowed me to form close friendships and make contacts beyond my program of study.

The challenges are, of course, the time commitment involved in training as part of the varsity swim team and being able to balance assignments and course load. Time management and prioritizing what's most important is the greatest challenge. However, being a part of my team allows for plenty of opportunities for socialization and community support which in my opinion is worth much more.

Adam McNee, BBA ’23

Fred Nichols Award

Earning this award is a testament to the athletes and great individuals at Laurier all around us. From the profs that enable athletes to balance workloads, to Kin students that help keep our bodies right, my success is proof that it takes a village - and Laurier is an excellent  one to have behind you.

Our coaching staff does a ton to encourage and enable success both on the field and in the classroom. Part of that is creating a team culture that enables older players to help younger players along the way. I think back to positive role models like Cam Sandison, Ben Playfair and Alex Circelli (BBA ’21) who encouraged me to grow in and away from the game of Rugby.

A lot of people will tell you time management is the key to balancing it all through school, but for me, it’s passion. If you’re passionate about your sport, school, and surround yourself with those who match that passion, there isn’t anything you can’t do.

The Fred Nichols Community Service Leadership award goes to both a male and female student-athlete or student-leader, within the Athletics and Recreation program, who have demonstrated leadership in the community, through fundraising and volunteer service. The nominee must be in at least their third year of university.

Jack Symington, third-year BBA

MVP, Baseball

Being able to call myself a Golden Hawk means a great deal to me, and I take great pride in attending the Lazaridis School. There are so many phenomenal athletes and athletic personnel at Laurier and being able to compete in purple and gold is one of the best feelings in the world.

There are a number of reasons why I chose the Lazaridis School - Waterloo is a great city, Laurier has a great reputation, the Lazaridis facility is top-notch, and I knew the co-op program was a great way to get some workplace experience.

Learning how to balance school and sports was a challenge in my first year. The baseball season is extremely time-consuming at the start of the year, and that can be overwhelming. After knowing what to expect and starting a daily routine in second year, I not only improved in the classroom but on the diamond as well.

My biggest support system is my teammates. Whether it is baseball, school, or anything else, I am always relying on them, and they all know they can rely on me. It was especially helpful having a couple of teammates going through the BBA program with me at the same time.

Other Lazaridis School Award Winners

Sivan Dubinsky

Rookie of the Year, Men’s Rugby

Cassidy Hirtle

Luke Fusco Academic and Athletic Achievement Award
The Luke Fusco Academic and Athletic Achievement Award  recognizes the male and female who best combine academic and athletic achievement. The student must be in at least their second year of studies.

Rahil Kachalia

MVP, Men’s Cross Country

Dominique Nedd

MVP, Women’s Indoor Track

Madi Snyder

Rookie of the Year, Women’s Lacrosse

Leonardo Takahashi

Rookie of the Year, Men’s Soccer

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Learn more about Laurier Athletics and our undergraduate business and economics programs.