Posted June 4: Sixth annual McMaster Marauder Scholar brunch honours student-athletes

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/marauderscholars2002.jpg” caption=”Marauder Scholars Nock and Pineau “]The CIBC Banquet Hall in the brand new McMaster University
Student Centre was the site of the sixth annual McMaster Marauder Scholar brunch presented by the Assante Capital Management Group.

One hundred and ninety five McMaster student-athletes were recognized for their outstanding athletic and academic accomplishments.

Students-athletes who are named as Marauder Scholars must have achieved high academic standing while competing for a varsity or club team during the 2001-2002 school year.

The Dr. Mary E. Keyes Award and the Dr. Jack Kennedy Award celebrate the accomplishments of the top female and male Marauder Scholars who best combine athletics and academics.

Dr. Mary E. Keyes Award

Dr. Mary Keyes was a key figure in the development of women's sports at McMaster. During her early years on the McMaster faculty, Dr. Keyes
coached both the women's swim team and women's basketball teams. She
served as President of the C.W.I.A.U. and was a key member of the
Amalgamation Committee that led to the Union of the C.W.I.A.U. and the
C.I.A.U. into a single entity for university sport. From 1981-87, Dr.
Keyes was the Director of the School of Physical Education and Athletics. She held the position of Associate Vice President, Student Affairs at McMaster until her passing this past winter.

This year's recipient of the Dr. Mary E. Keyes Award:

Melissa Nock, Badminton

Melissa completed her second year of the Engineering Physics and Management program this past year while competing for the Badminton team. She obtained an 11.4 average (95%) over thirty-eight units. Thirty-eight units translates into 2 to 3 additional courses above the average that a typical student would complete in an academic year.

As a badminton player, Nock had a successful High School career earning OFSAA silver and bronze medals. As a junior under 19 player she was ranked in the top three in Canada and won major competitions in both Canada and the United States. At McMaster, she was the Marauder Badminton MVP in 2002 and an OUA All-Star in both 2001 and 2002.

Dr. Jack Kennedy Award

Dr. Jack Kennedy was an associate professor of physical education from
1965-87 and head football coach from 1966-72, guiding his team to the
Atlantic Bowl Championship and College Bowl final in 1967. Kennedy was
Director of Athletics from 1969-74 and head coach of the women's ice
hockey team from 1976-83 leading the team to O.W.I.A.A. and North American Championships in 1978. He retired in 1987 after an impressive 34 years of coaching and passed away in 1999.

This year's recipient of the Dr. Jack Kennedy Award:

Rob Pineau, Baseball

A third year medical student and multi-year Marauder Scholar, Pineau
finished a stellar academic and athletic career this past year. While an undergraduate kinesiology student he had an 11.6 (97%) average over four years. As a graduate student he obtained an 11.3 (94%) average while earning his Masters of Science degree in Human Biodynamics.

As a member of the Marauder baseball team, Pineau was a team captain for four years where he won two Division Championships ('97 & '99) and one National Championship ('97). A unanimous OUA All-Star selection
in 2001, he was also in the top five in the OUA in most offensive
categories. Pineau leaves McMaster having had the unique
perspective of having competed for the Marauders in seven of his total
eight year's at Mac ('94-99, '01) including the teams inaugural season in 1994.

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PHOTO: Thirhse Quigley (centre), director of athletics and recreation congratulates Marauder Scholars Melissa Nock (Mary E. Keyes Award winner) and Rob Pineau (Dr. Jack Kennedy Award winner).

Photo by Art Martin