Record 33 Tommies Named CCAA National Scholars

Thirty-three St. Thomas University Tommies were named CCAA National Scholars for the 2022-23 academic year – a new record number.  

 

The CCAA National Scholar Award recognizes the outstanding academic accomplishments of student-athletes. To be recognized, a student-athlete must achieve honours standing at their institution in the current academic year.  

 

Madison Ball (women’s volleyball) and Matthew Oprea (men’s soccer) were two of the student athletes to be recognized. Both students admit it can be challenging to find a balance between academics and athletics.

 

“It takes hard work, discipline and good time-management skills and I have a lot of respect for all student athletes,” Ball says. “You make sacrifices to succeed as both a student and an athlete.”  

 

Ball spends an upwards of 15 hours a week at practices or workouts, 15 hours in classes, many hours doing homework and studying for those courses, and then attends games every weekend.

 

“It feels like you have two full-time jobs,” she says.” “But it's also very rewarding and I’m appreciative to have the opportunity to be able to play the sport I love with the best teammates.”

 

"It is important to me to be recognized as a CCAA National Scholar as it highlights the hard work and dedication I’ve put into being both a full-time student and athlete,” Oprea says.  

 

“I have faced many adversities with balancing academics and athletics but have been able to succeed in both aspects."  

 

Eric Moffatt, Acting Director of Athletics, congratulated the scholars on this achievement.

 

“Student athletes juggle many responsibilities,” he says. “They’re students first, but we still expect them to give it their all on the field, trails, or court. They are also ambassadors who represent the university when they are wearing their uniform. Balancing all these responsibilities and being named a CCAA National Scholar is a huge achievement, and we are very proud of our Tommies.” 

 

With the addition of this year’s 33 award recipients, the Tommies have now had 404 CCAA National Scholar awards since 2004-05.  

 

CCAA National Scholars for 2022-23  

Luke Ewen, Soccer  
Nikolas Landry, Soccer  
Matteo Neves, Soccer  
Chidubem Nkoloagu, Soccer  
Matthew Oprea, Soccer  
Nicholas Reis, Soccer  
Brett Springer, Soccer  
Sydney Conrad, Soccer 
Kaitlynne Benjamin, Soccer  
Avery Erb, Soccer  
Olivia Fillmore, Soccer  
Jazmyne Lebel, Soccer  
Jazmyne McLaughlin, Soccer  
Amanda McNally, Soccer  
Jayci Peck, Soccer  
Ciera Meredith, Soccer  
Grace Christie, Basketball  
Charlee Connors, Basketball  
Emma Connors, Basketball  
Emily Owens, Basketball  
Kathleen Quinlan, Basketball  
Ava Prosser, Basketball  
Vanessa Soffee, Basketball  
Samantha Stordy, Basketball  
Katie Vidito, Basketball  
Alex Frederickson, Volleyball  
Adam McDougall, Volleyball  
Brendan Murphy, Volleyball  
Noah Tulk, Volleyball  
Madison Ball, Volleyball  
Danica Godin, Volleyball  
Lauren Moerike, Volleyball  
Ethan Nylen, Cross-Country Running