Ambrose Lions 2024-25 Awards Gala Recap 

As the 2024-25 school year comes to a close, we wanted to take the time and revisit all the award winners from the Lions Gala! We will also be going over the award winners from each sport. 

The individual team awards given out include the most improved, most inspirational and most valuable players. These athletes represent Ambrose and Christ with positive leadership. We will also end with the Ambrose Lions athletics major award winners; Lion-Hearted Servant of the Year, Mel Sylvester Athletic Leadership, Rookies of the Year, Athletes of the Year. 

Thank you all for coming out to games and supporting our athletes no matter the result and packing the Lion's Den for every home game.  

Team Awards

Men's Basketball 

The 2024-25 season saw the coming together of a rookie-heavy class with something to prove. The team also proudly hosts the 2024-25

ACAC Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year. We are thrilled to announce the award winners from men’s basketball are: 

Most Improved Player - Dylan Pearson 

Most Inspirational Player - David Mubagwa 

Most Valuable Player - Jarom Walton 

Women's Basketball  

The Ambrose Lions' Women's Basketball team had an impressive season under new leadership through head coach Rodd Sawatzky and lead assistant Aphia Ward. The path is being paved and headed to a bright future for Ambrose. We are thrilled to announce the award winners from women’s basketball are: 

Most Improved Player: Audrey Dayrit 

Most Inspirational Player: Prissy Chuoi 

Most Valuable Player: Andrijana Bokan 

Women's Volleyball 

The Ambrose Lions' Women's Volleyball team made an appearance at the ACAC Championship once again this year and continue to demonstrate undeniable skill on the floor. We are thrilled to announce the award winners from women’s volleyball are: 

Most Improved Player: Emilie Pregal 

Most Inspirational Player: Brooklyn Deol

Most Valuable Player: Elise Wagner

Men's Volleyball 

The Ambrose Lions' Men's Volleyball team has a shining future with new rookie additions making waves on the court. The team also proudly hosts the 2024-25 ACAC Men’s Volleyball Rookie of the Year. We are thrilled to announce the award winners from men’s volleyball are: 

Most Improved Player: Eamon Broe 

Most Inspirational Player: Noah Verhoef 

Most Valuable Player: Cole Giesbrecht

Men's Soccer/Futsal 

The Ambrose Lions' Men's Soccer/Futsal Team finished with the best performance in men’s futsal program  history while exceeding expectations through the outdoor season. We are thrilled to announce the award winners from men’s soccer/futsal are: 

Most Improved Player: Samarveer Shergill 

Most Inspirational Player: Joshua Clarke 

Most Valuable Player: Brady De Castro 

Women's Soccer/Futsal 

The Ambrose Lions' Women's Soccer Team saw massive leaps in performance this year, becoming the highest scoring Lions Women’s Soccer Team in program history. We are thrilled to announce the award winners from women’s soccer/futsal are: 

Most Improved Player: Kyla Villamor

Most Inspirational Player: Reece Fiwchuk

Most Valuable Player: Anna Langill 

MAJOR AWARDS & ACADEMIC AWARDS 

Minor Officials of the year: Arwynn MacPherson and Trinity MacElwain  

We were blessed to have 11 graduating athletes this year, spanning over five different degree programs:  

Taylor Hart, Brady De Castro, Gracey Nichol, Anna Whitt, Steven Canon-Almagro, David Mubagwa, Abayomi Afolabi, John Revilla, Christina Bett, Gracee Fehr, and Dakota Magotiaux-Paul.  

Ambrose Athletics Academic Achievement Award. This award is given to any athlete who has received a 3.5 GPA or higher and is in 9 credits or more in their academic program at Ambrose. 

The recipients’ are: 

Rachel Barg, Christina Bett, Halle Blocha, Brooklyn Deol, Gracee Fehr, Taylor Hart, Kiera MacDonald, Kendra Martin, Jayna Thulien, Reese Wildeman, Ty Baskin, Kade Miller, Noah Verhoef, George Zapach, Andrijana Bokan, Jackson Earle, Isaac Manky, Reece Fiwchuk, Lindsay Hesjedal, Sara Jovin, Chloe Kilgore, Anna Langill, Ella Mysko, Zahra Najeeb, Gracey Nichol, Kalli Pilon, Tessa Stockman, Haley Tovell, Anna Whitt, Elisa Wilde, Steven Canon-Almagro, Brady De Castro, Ryan Wieninger. 

The Ambrose Academic Team of the Year is awarded to the team with the highest average GPA. Currently, the Women's Volleyball team leads the way with a 3.35.  

During the ceremony, we also took time to honour one of our long-time Lions’ family members – Susie MacPhee. Susie has been the head Athletic Therapist for  Lions Athletics for nine years. We wanted to thank her for her years of service, exceptional medical care, the leadership and guidance she provided to so many practicum students, and kindess toward all. She was a major part of building our AT program into what it is today and has been a pillar in so many milestones at our university. We wish her nothing but success as she sets off on a new adventure.  

Ambrose Servant Hearted Lion of the Year 

This award is awarded to one male and one female athlete who exemplify what service and community involvement is all about. These two individuals display the characteristics of service, generosity, care, and selflessness towards their teammates, Lions Athletics, Ambrose University, and the World. Their servant hearted leadership will show up in their attitude, actions, and allocation of their time. 

Female Servant Hearted 

This year’s Female Servant Hearted Lion of the year is a wonderful young woman who serves in quiet, prayerful, relational, and one-to-one ways. One of her coaches says this: “She is a lovely faith filled human. She approaches the world with love, grace, gentleness and kindness. She is a quiet girl, but she truly leads by example. She is dedicated to her studies, her sport, and her faith. She has taught us all so much and I think she is the heart of our team in terms of faith and culture. She was a part of the SALT team this year, she volunteers at her church running Sunday school classes, and she has helped her teammates that are from out of town or new to faith find a church to attend in the community.” While she might be quieter by nature, her presence is so valuable and strengthening for those around her. This year's Female Servant Hearted Lion of the Year is Hannah Brundage from Women’s Basketball. 

Male Servant Hearted 

This year’s Male Servant Hearted Lion of the Year is an amazing young man who we will miss on our campus next year as he is graduating this spring. He is a man of integrity and honesty and over his time at Ambrose he has consistently shown up to everything, held himself accountable, and led his teammates. He has been a spiritual leader on his team, bringing teammates to church on a regular basis and contributing to great conversations during team devotionals. He connects with the greater Ambrose community through speaking at athletics chapel, performing his songs at Black History Month events or a half-time show, and attending other campus events and sharing his thoughts. A joyful and humble presence, this young man displays so many wonderful servant-hearted characteristics of Christ in our midst. This year's Male Servant Hearted Lion of the Year is David Mubagwa from Men’s Basketball. 

Rookies of the year 

Our Athlete of the Year Award is given to a male and female who stands out above the rest amongst all our teams in the difference they make to their team and in how they bring value through their skill and leadership. 

Female Rookie of the Year Winner  

This woman was nothing short of an inspiration to watch play and the true definition of what it means to be a Lion. Every game she drew attention with her speed, skill and tenacity - a feat that would be a driving force behind the growth and success of her team. However, it wasn’t just me who noticed her quiet dominance on the field as the ACAC rightfully placed her on an all-conference team this winter. It’s safe to say she travelled the world and made her mark on her team, her school, the league and everyone who meets her. This year’s female rookie of the year is Elisa Wilde from Women’s Soccer! 

Male Rookie of the Year Winner 

From day one, there was a subtle acknowledgement that he was going to be a game changer for his program. Watching him play felt as though everywhere the ball went, he followed with enviable agility. He was a standout athlete, not just for his team but a model player for the entire ACAC, winning the ACAC South Rookie of the year title. He was able to embrace every challenge with an incredible work ethic and a team-first attitude, stepping into any position needed to help keep momentum in Lion favour. His adaptability, selflessness, and impact on the court make him more than just a talented rookie; he’s a competitor and a true teammate. This year’s male rookie of the year is Benjamin Farley from Men’s Volleyball! 

Mel Sylvester Christian Leadership Award Winner 

Our Mel Sylvester Christian Leadership Award Winner is perhaps our most prestigious award alongside our Athlete of the Year Award. It goes to a male and female who stands out in the way that they lead amongst their team and shine in their character in their attitude, work ethic, and the fruit of their lives. 

Female Mel Sylvester Christian Leadership Award Winner  

This year’s Female Leadership award winner is known to always show compassion towards everyone she meets. Her high level of empathy allows her to connect with people on a deeper level, and her Coach notes how they see her love for others and selflessness time and again with her teammates. She leads day in and day out by example in her work ethic, demeanor, and the way she treats people. She pushes herself to be better and then also lifts her teammates around her to follow. She accepts critique with an open mind, wanting to further her own growth in her faith and walk with Christ, in her academics, and in athletics. She excels in the classroom as one of our Academic Award winners, she was voted as an ACAC All-Conference student athlete this year, and her kind and passionate leadership gives light to other people around her. This year's Female Leadership Award winner is Brooklyn Deol. 

Male Mel Sylvester Christian Leadership Award Winner  

This year’s Male Leadership award winner has been a distinguished character leader not only on his team but also amongst all of Athletics and the whole University student body. This young man embodies a servant’s heart, prioritizing his faith, family, teammates, and friends in everything he does, and he is a man of action. He served as his team captain, served on the SALT team, consistently cared for and looked out for his teammates as he invited them to events, led a team Bible study, and even ran in our pioneering first ACAC Cross Country event at Augustana in the Fall. As a strong student, he is also very engaged in the classroom and in his program activities, even serving as a program rep during our fundraising golf tournament. And then there is his leadership on the field of play as well. This young man led his team in scoring and although injured some in the second semester, when he was healthy and playing his team was undefeated, in part showing the difference his presence makes. This young man has certainly raised the bar for what it means to be an active, committed, invested leader at Ambrose, and we are so proud of the work he is doing and will continue to do next year for the whole student body as an elected VP on Student Council. This year’s Male Mel Sylvester Christian Leadership Award Winner is Joshua Clarke. 

Athletes of the year 

Our Athlete of the Year Award is given to a male and female who stands out above the rest amongst all our teams in the difference they make to their team and in how they bring value through their skill and leadership. 

Female Athlete of the year Award Winner 

This year’s Female Athlete of the Year has had an amazing year of milestones and is such a key piece to her team's growth and success. She is absolutely dominant in her position and other ACAC teams game plan around her. She was an All-Conference award recipient, and she was in the ACAC top 10 in 6 statistical categories, including being 1st in two of them! These stats show her astounding all-round performance. She is also a vocal leader and a beloved teammate, a steady presence who also fosters vulnerability and trust amongst the group. She’s a hard worker, very coachable, and embodies so much of what it means to be an Ambrose Lion. To top it off, she is our Academic Award recipient and an amazing human, to use her coaches' words. She has shattered numerous Ambrose records in her sport, and this year’s Female Athlete of the Year is Andrijana Bokan. 

Male Athlete of the Year Award Winner  

This year’s Male Athlete of the Year is an exceptional athlete and a dominant force in the ACAC. He was selected as an ACAC All-Conference award winner and was not far off from being selected as the ACAC Player of the Year, which shows his excellence and prowess. He has become the all-time leading point-getter in Ambrose history in his sport and other teams certainly game plan around him. Not only this, but he is a kind and upstanding young man and also strong in the classroom. He is graduating with a degree this Spring, but he has some eligibility left and all are waiting with bated breath, hoping he is coming back for another degree. This year’s male Athlete of the Year is Brady De Castro.  

Thanks to all the Lions fans out there for cheering on all our teams through another great season! Make sure you check out this site as well as our social media pages throughout the summer to learn about new player signings, sports camps, upcoming games and more! 

Have a great summer, Lions fan!