Liam Stevens Award honours student athletes

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/liam-stevens-award.jpg” caption=”Martin Ajayi, Dale Stevens, Angela Stevens and Adam Steiner. Photo courtesy of Dale Stevens.”]Graduating seniors Martin Ajayi and Adam Steiner were honoured
last Sunday night as this year's recipients 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.

Ajayi, a 5'9″ geography student and graduate of St. Thomas More Secondary School in Hamilton, joined the Marauders after a two-year stint at Mohawk College.

This past season, he was named the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to being a First Team Ontario University Athletics All-Star, and the fourth leading scorer in the country.

Steiner, a 6'7″ MBA student, came to McMaster from Hamilton's Westdale Secondary School.

Like Ajayi, he was a First Team Ontario University Athletics All-Star this season, and was a finalist for the Ken Shields Award,
a national award presented to the student-athlete who best exhibits
outstanding success in basketball, academics and community involvement. He has been an Academic All-Canadian throughout his time 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), Matt Wood (2004/2005) and Jeremy Patry (2005/2006).

“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, an elementary school teacher, and Dale, an 18-year McMaster employee and currently the accountant in the School of Nursing, decided to honour him. In addition to the Liam Stevens Award, a fund was 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.

“Every year, it's difficult to decide on a recipient,” said Dale Stevens. “This year was no different. However, given the characteristics we want to honour in the award, and the qualities possessed by Marty and Adam, Angela and I felt it was right to name co-recipients.”

“Marty is one of the most intense players ever to wear the Maroon and Grey. In addition to continually setting records for number of times hitting the floor in a game, he wears his heart on his sleeve. You always know what's on his mind. As well as being a determined player, he works hard at other aspects of life, balancing school, basketball, finances and a family.”

“Adam may be one of the nicest people we have ever met. Everyone who knows him, likes him. But, again, there's much more to him than just basketball. He's a scholar, does so much community work, and will be a success at whatever he decides to do in the future.”

Angela and Dale Stevens are very honoured to add Martin Ajayi and
Adam Steiner to the list of recipients of the Liam Stevens Award.