The Lois and Doug Mitchell U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards (Formerly known as the Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) and Howard Mackie Awards, then the Lieutenant Governor’s Athletic Awards) were created in 1993 to honour the top male and female athletes competing in U SPORTS. Each year, the four regional associations select one male and one female athlete of the year to represent the conference.
Since 1993, the University of Calgary Dinos have won a record eight U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards, more than any other school in Canada.
In 2006, the University of Calgary and Borden Ladner Gervais joined forces to create the BLG Wall of Distinction in the Athletics offices at the University. These life-sized portraits recognize the outstanding achievements of our eight national athletes of the year, which represent six different Dinos sports programs.
For further information, please visit the U SPORTS Awards website.
University of Calgary U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Award Winners
2016 - Andrew Buckley, Football - Full Story
Andrew Buckley made sure his 2015 farewell tour as a Dino was a memorable one. While guiding his troops to an 8-0 regular schedule, he set a CIS single-season record for passing yards (3,162), established a new Canada West standard for completion percentage (72.0) and kept the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the country (19-1). The offence he directed set school records in points (471 – also a conference record), touchdowns, passing yards and total yards. An exceptional kinesiology student whose community involvement ranges from helping the homeless in downtown Calgary to a humanitarian trip to Guatemala, Buckley graduated this spring as a five-time Academic All-Canadian.
2010 - Erik Glavic, Football - Full Story
Erik Glavic’s first year with the Dinos was certainly a memorable one. After recovering from two knee surgeries less than a year apart, he led the Dinos to a 7-1 record, their second straight Canada West title, and the program’s first Vanier Cup appearance since 1995. He became the first athlete in CIS history to win the Hec Crighton trophy at two different schools and just the fifth player to win it more than once, setting a new school record for completion percentage. The Dinos boasted the top offence in CIS in 2009, setting new team records in total offence and first downs while tying the single-season touchdowns mark.
2007 - Jessica Zelinka, Track & Field
Jessica Zelinka completed her CIS career in 2007 as one of the most decorated athletes in Canadian university track and field history, leading the Dinos to their first national title in 16 years. She won all five events she entered at the 2007 Canada West Championships, setting two new conference records. Zelinka built on that performance with an unprecendented showing at the CIS championships in Montreal, winning a CIS-record five gold medals. She scored 58 points at the event, better than the totals of 17 of the 21 teams there, and was named the UC female athlete of the year. Jessica was an Academic All-Canadian in the Faculty of Communication & Culture.
2004 - Joanna Niemczewska, Volleyball
The 2004 season was one to remember for Joanna Niemczewska. She was named Canada West and CIS Player of the Year, a first team All-Canadian, and a CIS championship All-Star - leading the Dinos to the national championship. Joanna was the University of Calgary female athlete of the year and earned several Canada West and CIS player of the week honours, finishing second in the country with 283 kills. She earned a spot on Canada's national women's volleyball team in 2005. Joanna was an Academic All-Canadian and completed her BSc in Geography in 2006.
2001 - Leighann Doan, Basketball
Leithann Doan was Calgary's first female BLG Award winner. She won the Nan Copp Award as CIS women's basketball player of the year in both 2000 and 2001, and she was the first women's basketball player to earn CIS first team All-Canadian status four times. She led the Dinos to CIS silver in 2000 and bronze in 2001. Leighann was captain of the Canadian World University Games team in Spain in 1999 and went on to be named the City of Calgary female athlete of the year. She completed her Dinos career as the university's leading scorer, averaging 20.8 points per game, and was an Academic All-Canadian four times. Leighann earned a BGS in 1999 and a BEd in 2001.
1997 - Curtis Myden, Swimming
The 1996 Olympic double bronze medal performance by Curtis Myden set the high water mark for Canadian swimmers. He held Canadian and Commonwealth records in the 200- and 400-metre individual medleys and was unbeaten in both at the CIS level. Curtis led the Dinos to their 12th CIS title, winning two gold and two silver medals. He captured three gold and two silver medals at the Canada West championship. Myden was named Canada West academic athlete of the year in 1994, City of Calgary male athlete of the year in 1996, and an Academic All-Canadian each year he competed. In 1999, Curtis received a BSc (with distinction) and is now an MD.
1996 - Don Blair, Football
In 1995, Don Blair rewrote the record book in CIS football. He achieved a CIS first with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Don was a key player in Calgary's march to the Vanier Cup, where he scored four touchdowns and was named Most Outstanding Player in the national championship game. Don won the Hec Crighton Trophy as CIS Player of the Year and was a Canada West All-Star and CIS first team All-Canadian in both 1994 and 1995. Don also competed at both the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl. A Physical Education major, Don was the first overall selection in the 1996 CFL Draft.
1993 - Andy Cameron, Volleyball
Andy Cameron was the inaugural winner of the BLG Award as CIS Male Athlete of the Year. He was named Most Valuable Player at the 1993 CIS Championship that saw the Dinos defeat Montreal in the final. Andy was a unanimous Canada West All-Star, a first team CIS All-Canadian, and Canada West Player of the Year. He was also a member of the undefeated 1989 Dinos team that won the national championship on their home court. Andy was an Academic All-Canadian and graduated with his BPE in 1996.
U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards Nominees
Canada West Athlete of the Year
*denotes Award winner
1993 – Andy Cameron, Volleyball*
1995 – Jamie Pegg, Hockey
1995 – Stacy Kozak, Field Hockey
1996 – Don Blair, Football*
1997 – Curtis Myden, Swimming*
1999 – Stephanie O'Neill, Soccer
2001 – Leighann Doan, Basketball*
2004 – Joanna Niemczewska, Volleyball*
2007 – Jessica Zelinka, Track & Field*
2010 – Erik Glavic, Football*
2011 – Graham Vigrass, Volleyball
2015 – Andrew Buckley, Football
2016 – Andrew Buckley, Football*
2018 – Temitope Ogunjimi, Rugby/Wrestling
2019 – Adam Sinagra, Football
2022 – Montana Leonard, Soccer
2025 – Nate Petrone, Basketball
