Russ Jackson Award nomination an ‘unexpected honour’
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/alexfrancella.jpg” caption=”Alex Francella’s success both on and off of the football field has resulted in his nomination for the Russ Jackson Award, one of Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s most prestigious awards. File photo.”]
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McMaster Marauders football wide receiver Alex Francella, in his last year at the University, says that he wants to go out on top.
Not only does he want to end his undergraduate career on a good note academically – he's hoping to get into medical school next year – he also wants to finish his university football career with a bang.
“I want to do all that I can to help us be successful,” he said. “Ultimately, I want to win the Vanier Cup this year.”
Though Francella says that what he's most concerned about is the good of the team, his personal successes this year, both on and off of the field, have culminated in his nomination for the Russ Jackson Award, one of Canadian Interuniversity Sport's (CIS) most prestigious awards.
“It's obviously a great honour, though completely unexpected,” said Francella.
The award, named for Canadian Football League Hall of Famer and McMaster quarterback Russ Jackson, is given to the university football player who best exemplifies the attributes of academic achievement, football skill and citizenship – qualities that coach Stefan Ptaszek says made Francella an obvious nominee.
“Alex's energy, dedication and sense of community have had a tremendous impact on our entire program,” he said. “He is not the biggest, fastest or strongest receiver on our team, but he routinely outworks and outplays more physically gifted athletes.”
Ptaszek also commended Francella's dedication to working in the community.
“He continually looks for ways to connect the McMaster football program with the surrounding Hamilton community. He has been the driving force behind our program participating in several charitable events including the Juravinski Climb for Cancer and the McMaster Relay for Life.”
The Russ Jackson Award will be given out at the Vanier Cup celebrations in Quebec City next month.
Having beaten the Toronto Varsity Blues 40-21 on Oct. 16, Francella and the Marauders were able to clinch third place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference, setting the stage for a quarter-final game to be played at Ron Joyce Stadium on Oct. 30 – the first playoff game to be played at the stadium since its opening in 2008.
The Marauders are in the hunt for their fifth Yates Cup (presented to the winner of the OUA football conference), the last capping off four straight conference championships, and their first Vanier Cup, awarded to the CIS football champions.
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