Cutting the hardware in half

Bishop, Jonckheere and Andy K. honoured

By Dave Martin
Gazette Staff

Beth Kerim/Gazette
TROPHIES ASIDE, THEIR COLOSSAL WESTERN BLANKIES WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BUILD THE LARGEST SOFA FORT EVER. Jeremy Jonckheere and Leah Bishop receive honours for their outstanding achievements in athletics last Tuesday.

Western's top prize for male athletes was shared this year by a pair of players who wear their Mustang pride on their sleeves.

For only the sixth time in fifty-five years, the Claude Brown Trophy, recognizing Western's most outstanding male athlete was presented at last Tuesday's Athletic Banquet to two people – basketball forward Andy Kwiatkowski and volleyball middle Jeremy Jonckheere.

"I was so shocked that I had to turn and look at the screen to see if they were talking about me," Jonckheere said. "It was a huge rush filled with unbelievable happiness."

Jonckheere, one of the best blockers in the country, was also named the 2002 TSN Award winner for volleyball last month for his commitment to athletics, academics and community involvement.

Afterwards, the four-time Canadian Interuniversity Sport Academic All-Canadian had a chance to reflect on his successful career as a Mustang.

"This is a picture-perfect end to a fantastic five years here. We've had a core group of guys who have gone through most of it and I've had an amazing time with them. It has definitely been worth the ride every step of the way," he said.

On the women's side, squash team captain and coach Leah Bishop earned honours as the 2002 recipient of the F.W.P. Jones Trophy, recognizing the most outstanding female athlete of the year.

"As soon as they said Nova Scotia, it clicked-in they were talking about me and I couldn't control myself. Everything just came pouring out," an excited Bishop said.

Bishop, won both the Ontario University Athletics individual and team championships this year and was also awarded the OUA women's squash Coach of the Year for her role as a player/coach.

Bishop noted how important being involved on a team was to her university experience.

"The role that athletics has played in my life is far superior to academics. I wouldn't have made it through [university] without [athletics]. What I've learned through this experience, especially with coaching, has completely changed me as a person and will affect me for my entire life," Bishop said.

Kwiatkowski, who led the Mustangs to March's national championship final in Halifax was unable to receive his award in person because he in Germany playing professional basketball. Nicknamed 'The Chief' by his teammates, Kwiatkowski also earned the Mike Moser Memorial Award as the top male basketball player in the country last month.

Western basketball head coach Craig Boydell said a few words on behalf of Kwiatkowski and commented on his role as part of the team.

"Andy would be the first to tell you that there are a lot of people that are deserving of this award and that playing on a winning team certainly helped him out. All year he was our go-to-guy when we needed it and he had the ability to make other players around him better," Boydell said.