[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Chapdelaine.Ben.final.jpg” caption=”Ben Chapdelaine”]Marauder quarterback Ben Chapdelaine is the winner of the 2001 Hec Crighton Trophy presented annually to the most
outstanding university football player in Canada.

Chapdelaine, 23, was named the winner Thursday in Toronto at the annual CIS awards banquet that is held prior to the Vanier Cup national championship game. The Vanier Cup, featuring the St. Marys Huskies against the University of Manitoba Bisons, takes place Saturday at SkyDome.

Chapdelaine, who is in his fifth and final year, is the third McMaster player to win the Hec Crighton Trophy. His win marks the first time McMaster players have won the award in consecutive years as running back Kojo Aidoo won the national award in 2000.

The last school to produce two different Hec Crighton winners in consecutive seasons was Acadia University, when Bob Stracina (1976) and Bob Cameron (1977) were honoured. Of note, Saint Marys University QB Chris Flynn is the only player to receive the Hec Crighton in consecutive seasons, winning it three straight years (1988 to 1990).

Chapdelaine led the Marauders (10-1-1) to a second straight Yates Cup Championship in 2001. In the process, he led the CIS in both passing yards (2,207) and completions (142). He also threw 10 TD passes, 11 interceptions and completed 142 of 248 attempts, 57.3 per cent of his passes.

This year, Chapdelaine broke the CIS record for career passing yardage with 9,974 yards and moved into second place for CIS career completions with 609, two shy of Greg Vavra's mark of 611 career completions (University of Calgary, 1979-83).

In 1998, Chapdelaine was the OUA nominee for the Hec
Crighton Trophy and in 1997 was the OUA Nominee for the Peter Gorman
Trophy as top rookie.