[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/LiamStevensAwd06.jpg” caption=”Angela Stevens, Jeremy Patry and Dale Stevens. Photo credit: Art Martin”]Jeremy Patry 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.

Patry, a fourth year Geography student, and native of Hamilton, attended Sir John A. MacDonald High School, where he was a city all-star, before enrolling at McMaster.

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 exempliflies the qualities of positive attitude, hard work, and determination. Previous winners include Doug Doyle (2000/2001), Justin Boye (2001/2002), Charles Kissi (2002/2003), Steve Martin (2003/2004), and Matt Wood (2004/2005).

“Liam was a remarkable child,” commented 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, please contact Dale Stevens at stevensd@mcmaster.ca.

When Patry first arrived at the McMaster campus, it was baseball, not basketball, which attracted his athletic interests. He spent his first year as a member of the nationally-ranked Mac baseball squad. But the basketball bug bit him again, and in his second year, he tried out for coach Joe Raso's hoops squad, and made the team. It was not an easy achievement, given the long history of very talented and very deep teams to wear the maroon and grey on the hardwood.

During his four years on the basketball court, Jeremy didn't see a lot of playing time. Still the same, he showed up at practice every day, worked very hard, and in addition to becoming a better player every year himself, he made his teammates better. Along with a positive attitude, the ability to make those around you better is one of the greatest attributes of a “role player”.

“Jeremy's additude, and never-ending commitment to the Marauders was what attracted us to him,” said Dale Stevens. “While this team has been very successful, it's not easy to be part of such a successful program. There are great demands put on the player by the team and the coaches, in addition to their primary responsibility as a student athlete. And, to meet all those expectations, still not garner a lot of playing time, but stay as positive as possible, is something we really admire about Jeremy.”

Head Coach Joe Raso labelled Patry 'the ultimate team player'. “Jeremy came back this year with the goal of making his teammates better, so the Marauders could win a national championship. He didn't come back for selfish reasons, he came back to help his fellow Marauders. He was as good an insurance policy as I've ever had.”

Angela and Dale Stevens are very honoured to add Jeremy Patry's name to the list of recipients of the Liam Stevens Award.