Written by OntFast Thursday, 02 April 2009 06:53

Fastpitch Team Has Historic Evening
At The McMaster Marauders 85th Athletic Awards Ceremony

April 1, 2009
Hamilton, Ontario

Earlier this evening, the McMaster University Athletic Department held its 85th Athletic Awards Ceremony.

It was an historic night for the Fastpitch team as two players were nominated for two of the Athletic Department’s major awards. This was a first in the Fastpitch teams history.

Cathy Conlin (Ailsa Craig, Ont.) and Shannon Galea (Oshawa, Ont.) were two of the three women nominated for the Dr. Edna Guest Award. This was the first time that the Fastpitch team has had anyone nominated for this prestigious award.

The Doctor Edna Guest award was first presented in 1931. Dr. Guest, who was at that time the medical advisor for women at McMaster, donated the cup. The original criterion of health through sport was added to in the early 1960’s to reflect outstanding ability and the “Spirit of McMaster”. Today these criteria remain. The awards committee considers individuals who are graduating students who have participated each year while at McMaster and radiate the “Spirit of McMaster.”

Cathy Conlin was also one of three women to be nominated for the Les Prince award. Again, this was the first time a Marauder Fastpitch player had been nominated for this award. It was with much pride that I heard Cathy’s name announced as the recipient of the Les Prince Award and it was a marvelous feeling to watch her proceed to the presentation area to receive her award.

The Les Prince Award is presented annually to the student athlete who demonstrates leadership and outstanding community service through participation in an outreach program. The award was first presented in 1996 in memory of the late Les Prince who was a founding board member of the Athletes Helping Athletes Program and who himself has such enthusiasm for giving back.

Cathy was Captain of the Fastpitch team and was also a leader in the community. A multi-year Marauder Scholar, Cathy also volunteers with the McMaster Bastable Student Athlete Program, the “Go-Girls” program with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the “Good Beginnings” program with VON and is the McMaster President for “Right to Play” where she helps the organization use sport and play programs to help improve health, develop life skills and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the world.

To add to her already great night, Cathy was announced as the Fastpitch Teams 2008 - 2009 MVP.

Other highlights for the Fastpitch team this past season were as follows:

Shannon Galea: During the Fastpitch season was recognized as McMaster Female Athlete of week and was named as an Ontario Intercollegiate Women’s Fastpitch Association (OIWFA)  League All-Star. Galea is also a member of the McMaster Athletic Council.

Jackie Morrison (Toronto, Ont.) - During the Fastpitch season was recognized as McMaster Female Athlete of the week and was also a OIWFA League All-Star.

(Galea and Morrison were Female Athletes of the week in consecutive weeks.)