Volume 96, Issue 49
Tuesday, November 26, 2002
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Fantuz-tic... again
How does a weekend hobnobbing with TSN anchors, shacking up in downtown Toronto at the Weston Harbor Castle, signing autographs and cruising around the Skydome on Vanier Cup Saturday with Hec Creighton winner Tommy Denison sound?
Well, that's what happens when you just scooped up the Peter Gorman Trophy as the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Rookie of the Year and your name is Andy Fantuz.
This past Thursday, Fantuz strutted across the stage at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex in Toronto in his tuxedo to accept, not only the Gorman Trophy, but also first-team All-Canadian status at the wide receiver position.
"It feels better than I could have ever imagined," "The 'Tooz" said about his award, while on the sidelines at the Vanier Cup. "There are so many good rookies this year that it is such a great honour."
Although Fantuz said he would rather be in the Vanier Cup than be recognized for his individual achievements, the sensational rookie knows there is still a lot to build on.
"I have to be stronger, faster and bigger because teams will be keying on me [next year], so I have to be able to overcome that, and the way to do that is to workout and train," he said.
After rewriting the Ontario University Athletics and CIS receiving records with 1,300 receiving yards this season, the lanky receiver dismissed thoughts of going south of the border next season.
"I love Western – it has treated me well. The football program [and] the school have all treated me well, so, as long as I keep having fun, Western is the place for me," Fantuz said.
The Chatham, Ontario native said he owes a lot to the arm of Western quarterback Chris Hessel.
"Personally, I think Hessel deserves all the credit in the world. He's a tough quarterback; he's got a good arm and finds the right receivers," Fantuz said. "Without him, I'd be nowhere."
– Ryan Hickman