[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/liam_stevens_award.jpg” caption=”Pictured at the banquet, from left, Dale and Angela Stevens, Matt Wood, and Matt’s mom Heather Wood.”]Kinesiology student Matt Wood was honoured on Sunday evening, as this year's recipient of the Liam Stevens Award. The award was presented at the McMaster Marauders Courtside Club year-end banquet, by Liam's parents, Angela and Dale Stevens.

Wood, a long-time manager of the men's basketball team, donned the maroon and gray uniform for the last half of the 2004/2005 season.

The award is named for Liam Stevens, who passed away in February 2001, at the age of 22 months. It is presented annually to the Marauder player who best exemplifies the qualities of positive attitude, hard work, and determination. Previous winners include Doug Doyle (2000/2001), Justin Boye (2001/2002), Charles Kissi (2002/2003), and Steve Martin (2003/2004).

“Liam was a remarkable child,” said Dale Stevens. “He was faced with many obstacles in his short life, including open heart surgery, developmental delays, and other medical issues. But through it all, Liam was the happiest, most determined child in the world. He would bounce back from every setback, happier and more full of life than the time before.”

Following his passing, Angela and Dale decided to honour him. In addition to the Liam Stevens Award, a fund has been established in his name at the McMaster Children's Hospital. For more information about the fund, or to donate, contact Dale Stevens at stevensd@mcmaster.ca

Each September, Wood laced up the sneakers, and attended try-outs out for the Marauders squad. But each year, he came up just short of cracking the roster.

But rather than pout, be angry, or jealous of his teammates, Dale Stevens said Wood simply asked how he could help. “Matt has such a high regard for the McMaster program and the people associated with it, that he wanted to be a part of it. If not as a player, he simply did whatever was required. That is the ultimate definition of a team player.”

What Wood did was become the team manager. He would carry the bags and the water bottles. But more than that, Wood helped the staff and the team with game preparation. Whether it was researching the opposition, breaking down game film, or being part of the “scout” team in daily practices, Wood was there. Last year, he was honoured with the Bruce Cochrane Award, an award presented annually by McMaster Athletics and Recreation, given to a staff member who shows unwavering dedication to their group or team.

Over the Christmas break this winter, Coach Joe Raso surprised the team and Wood by announcing the manager was now a player. Raso felt Wood was working hard in everything he did, and thought his addition to the active roster would send a message to the team about intensity and dedication. The passion and perseverance had paid off for the 22-year-old.

Matt played in six OUA West conference games in 2005, logging 18 minutes of court time. He didn't hit the scoresheet, with his only two three-point attempts rimming out.

“Both of those shots were as close to falling as a three-point shot can,” said Stevens. “And as the attempts were launched, the bench rose as one, hoping they would find the mark. They didn't, but in the end, it's only a statistic. Matt Wood proved that character and dedication are two of the most important characteristics a student athlete can have. These are characteristics we loved in Liam, and Matt shares the same passion.”