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//DATE: Nov. 8, 2007
//For Immediate Release
McCrystal, Nesbitt, Orban
Earn Canada West Postseason Awards
Canada West announced Thursday its six major postseason
individual football honours, awarding four of them to members of
the University of Regina Rams organization.
For the second consecutive year, Rams quarterback Teale Orban was
given the Frank Gnup Memorial Trophy as Canada West's Hec
Crighton Player of the Year nominee. Orban threw a CIS-leading 22
touchdown passes and completed 177 passes on the year, the
second-best single-season total in Canada West history.
"He's got an exceptionally strong arm, he's very smart, and
he's a great leader," Rams offensive coordinator Bernie
Schmidt said. "Teale hasn't put up the same numbers as he
did last year, but considering he lost two All-Canadian receivers
(Chris Bauman and Chris Getzlaf) to the CFL and has had two
18-year-old receivers (Brenden Owens and Kolten Solomon) all year
long, he's been every bit as impressive this season."
Orban was also selected by Canada West coaches as the league's
nominee for the Russ Jackson Award, given to the player who best
exhibits outstanding achievement in athletic ability, academics,
and citizenship. Orban entered the U of R through the Faculty of
Administration Excellence Program and won the Lorne Aston
Scholarship as the top male athlete in the Regina High School
Athletic Association. In the community, he is an active member of
the Living Hope Alliance Church, has been an instructor for two
years at the Run The Good Race basketball school and has refereed
many basketball games for Regina-area elementary schools.
"Teale is an incredible role model for student-athletes in
our community and all over the country," Rams head coach
Frank McCrystal said. "The fact that he's able to perform on
the field as well as he does, coupled with his strong academics,
part-time work, and volunteering is incredible."
Rams middle linebacker Mat Nesbitt, who registered a Canada
West-leading 64 tackles this season, was named the Canada West
nominee for the President's Trophy, given to the top defensive
player in the CIS. Nesbitt also had two sacks, an interception,
two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He
also served as the team's long snapper.
"Mat is the biggest reason for the improvement in our run
defence from last year," U of R defensive coordinator Paul
Dawson said. "He's a really physical player that brings it
on every play, and he excels at stopping the run."
After guiding the Rams to their best Canada West record in team
history, McCrystal was named the conference's Coach of the Year
by his peers. The Rams improved from four wins in 2006 to six
wins in 2007 and will make their first appearance in the Hardy
Cup since 2002 this weekend in Manitoba.
"It's great to see Frank rewarded for his commitment to this
program. His work ethic defines what the team is all about,"
University of Regina director of athletics Dick White said.
The Rams will try to extend their season on Saturday when they
meet the Manitoba Bisons in the Hardy Cup final. The game is
scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at CanadInns Stadium in Winnipeg and will
be televised live on The Score.
-30-
Braden Konschuh
Sports Information Coordinator
University of Regina
3737 Wascana Parkway
Regina, SK S4S 0A2
Phone: (306) 585-5199
Fax: (306) 585-5693
braden.konschuh@uregina.ca
http://www.uregina.ca/cougars/
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