The Windsor Lancers have completed the 2023-24 season and are looking ahead to the 2024-25 season.

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The University of Windsor Lancers have completed the 2023-24 season with a positive outlook for the 2024-25 season.

Several teams and players were recognized at the OUA and U Sports levels during the season, and the Lancers celebrated their accomplishments Tuesday at the school’s annual Evening of Excellence, which drew nearly 600 people to the St. Clair Center for the Arts. Ta.

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“It’s always exciting to have student-athletes come together,” said Lancers Athletic Director Stephanie White. “There’s so much energy and excitement in the room and it’s bittersweet because for some it may be the last time, but it’s good to celebrate and reminisce.

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“This is a great opportunity to highlight and celebrate what our student-athletes and coaches have accomplished over the past year. This year we continue to challenge ourselves to grow and evolve our program, reaching the top of the OUA and in the top 10 nationally. It’s been a year of great success for some people, but that’s what we do, and there have been a lot of exciting moments.”

The excitement started at the beginning of the first period, as the football team got off to its best start since 1975 and won its first home playoff game in 48 years, but lost in the semifinals after a game-tying touchdown was called back late in the game. did. With a penalty.

Unsurprisingly, two of the major honorees at Tuesday’s ceremony were from the football team. Defensive end Kolade Amusan was named the Olympic Shield winner as the school’s outstanding male athlete, while head coach Jean-Paul Circelli received the Gino Fracas Award as Coach of the Year.

“It’s never an easy choice (to pick a winner), but what Kolade brings to our program is what makes our program so great,” White said. said. “Maybe it’s one of the reasons the team had its best season in 48 years.”

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Collade, a Minnesota native, led the nation in sacks with 11.5 and was named an OUA first-team All-Star and second-team All-Canadian.

Cercelli, who took over in 2019, led the Lancers to a 6-2 record and a third-place finish in OUA as the team hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2014.

“Anytime you try to change the culture within a program, it’s something that takes place over many years,” White said of Circelli. “This is a recognition of the work he and his team put into creating an overall sense of pride that people have for the Windsor Lancers Football Team. I’m excited to celebrate the effort, the program’s reach, and what JP is on the precipice of.”

Softball’s Megan Rosinski was named the Banner Shield winner as this year’s Outstanding Female Athlete. Lodzinski, a Sandwich High School graduate, was named a first-team All-Star for the third time, showing she is a threat not only with her bat but also with her pitching staff.

“These are athletes who have been in our program for quite some time,” White said. “It’ll be weird not having her on our team next year. She’s a leader and a captain and she’s someone who really helped get our program to where it was last year.

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“She is someone who just set the will to be outstanding every day. This award is a great send-off.”

The DeMarco Award, given to the school’s top student-athlete, went to Darian Koski in volleyball on the boys’ side and Kat Campana in soccer on the girls’ side. The Lancers also took time to remember Frank DeMarco, the award’s namesake. DeMarco, the school’s first athletic director, died last year at the age of 102.

‘List of The talent we have available to choose from, both on the men’s and women’s sides, is outstanding,” White said. “Darian has an excellent GPA and was a second-team All-Canadian and an OUA first-team all-star.

“Kat is a captain, a two-time OUA First Team All-Star, and a nurse. It’s not an easy program, but she achieved such a high grade point average in such a challenging program. OUA One of our top defenders, in addition to being a leader in the room, she has managed to balance academics with a rigorous program.”

For boys, volleyball player Quintin Greenidge was named Rookie of the Year, while for girls, basketball player Leah Tate won the award.

Wiegbe Mombo of soccer and track and field won the boys Super Sophomore award, while the girls award was shared between Harley Martin of track and field and Alaia Admans of volleyball.

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For the girls, track and field’s Emma Karlik won the captain’s award, while for the boys, hockey’s Mason Cohn won.

Andrea Parr for women’s soccer and Andrew Foster for women’s volleyball have been named this year’s Eddie Cittaro Assistant Coaches.

Diane Rawlings received the Richard Peddie Award for her contribution to the overall success of Lancer athletics. Erin Zonta received the A Award for her work supporting Lancer Athletics. The women’s hockey team won the Moriarty Academic Team of the Year award, and the football team won the IG Cup through a combination of academic, athletic, and volunteer efforts.

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