The Manitoba Bisons varsity teams completed a championship season that had one team win a national championship for the first time while another team hosted and placed in a national championship plus also hosted a Canada West conference championship. In the 2017-18 season, seven of the eight teams in fall and winter sports qualified for post-season. On top of team success, there were amazing individual accolades plus major U SPORTS and conference award winners along with international recognition during the past year.

The Manitoba Bisons handed out their year end hardware at the annual Brown and Gold Banquet held at the Manitoba Room, University of Manitoba, during Saturday, March 24 – hosted by Michelle Sawatzky-Koop of Golden West Radio.

Bisons Venla Hovi and Justus Alleyn were named as Bison Sports Female and Male Athletes of the Year for the 2017-18 season. Women's Hockey Head Coach Jon Rempel was selected as 2017-18 Bison Sports Coach of the Year while for the ninth time in handing out Bison Sports Rookie of the Year (Female and Male) awards, this year award winners were Lauren Taraschuk and Brenda Warren. In addition, the sixth annual Pat Gill Legacy Award was presented to long-serving Bison team physician for the men's hockey team Dr. Mike MacKay. Lastly, the inaugural winner of Bison Sports Assistant Coach of the Year is Alana Boudreau from Track and Field.

In the 55th year history of the Bison Female Athlete of the Year award, Hovi's selection becomes only the fifth Bison women's hockey player to be selected yet fifth time that the sport has a Athlete of the Year winner in the last 12 seasons.

In her fourth year of eligibility (third season) with Manitoba, Hovi had a phenomenal season both at Manitoba and internationally as she won three medals in a span of one month in 2017-18.
    •    Hovi won a bronze medal with Team Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics in February, a gold medal for the Bisons at the 2018 CW Championships and a gold medal for the Herd at the 2018 U SPORTS National Championship in March.
    •    She finished tied for 20th in conference scoring race with 12 points (4g, 8a) and T-4th spot in team scoring despite playing only 12 games in the 2017-18 CW regular season; In Top 2 conference scoring when she left for Olympics after first half.
    •    The Extended Education student-athlete was a key contributor and sparkplug for the Bison women's hockey national championship title win as she returned from the Olympics in South Korea after a grueling 24 hour travel back to Winnipeg to dress and play effectively in propelling the Bisons to an epic 2-1 semi final playoff series win over the defending champion. Hovi scored an assist during the historic 4 OT winner to clinch a Nationals berth plus added assist in other OT win vs. Saskatchewan in the CW championships with another assist in her first post-season game back from Olympics, also in overtime.
    •    The Tampere, Finland native played in all seven consecutive playoffs win by Manitoba in the 2018 post-season.
    •    Had three multi-point games and a three game point streak in 2017-18 regular season for Manitoba.
    •    Named Canada West Female Third Star of the Week for week ending Oct. 15/17.
    •    Selected Manitoba's Player of the Game in championship final with a goal plus added three assists in three games at 2018 U SPORTS championship.

In the 59th year history of the Bison Male Athlete of the Year award, Alleyn's selection marks the seventh overall time (tied for fourth overall with track and field) that a Bison men's basketball student-athlete has won the yearly honour and the first time since 1976-77 season.

Alleyn finished one of the most amazing careers in Bison men's basketball history that culminated with the team earning another playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season during the 2016-17 season.  
    •    Alleyn was the all-time leader in points after his completion of his five year Bison career and selected as team MVP for the third consecutive time.
    •    Named to 2017-18 Canada West Men's Basketball First Team All-Star and became the first Bison men's basketball player to earn Canada West First Team All-Star honours since the Herd joined Canada West in 2000-01; Earned his second consecutive conference all-star selection at Manitoba at the guard position.
    •    The fifth year guard started in all 20 CW regular season games in 2017-18 season and was also third in U SPORTS scoring (24.1 PPG).
    •    In Canada West minutes played, Alleyn ended up third place at 35.6 plus finished fourth at 42.3% in Canada West 3-point percentage and he was also tied for ninth with 1.9 CW steals per game.
    •    In addition, had a season-high of 35 points versus Victoria on Jan. 14/18 and scored 30 or more points in four CW games, scored 20 or more points in 13 of 20 games and had double digit scoring in all 20 CW regular season games in 2017-18; Named CW Male Second Star of the Week for week ending Feb.11/18.
    •    The Arts student-athlete was also co-captain for the second consecutive season as team made playoffs for fourth consecutive season and advanced to conference quarter-final after winning the play-in game at home.
    •    Alleyn had his best season statistically as he captured the Canada West conference men's basketball scoring title with 24.1 points per game (PPG) and became first Bison to accomplish this feat in conference men's basketball regular season since the Herd joined Canada West in 2000-01.

For the female athletes, they have given the year-end Bison Athlete of the Year award since the 1963-64 season. Volleyball continues to lead with 23 winners, nine ahead of women's basketball (counting multi-sport winners) and 15 ahead of women's track and field (counting multi-sport winners) while hockey is fourth place with five selections. Bison Male Athletes of the Year have been selected since the 1959-60 season as volleyball is tied with hockey as both sports have been selected 16 times and then football (12) follows, track and field and basketball now in fourth place with seven selections each.
 
Along with the Athletes of the Year, Jon Rempel was selected for the third time as Bison Sports Coach of the Year in the 17th year history of the award. He is tied for second with coaches with his third selection of this award (2006-07, 2010-11, '17-18). Some of his highlights with the Bison women's hockey team included:
    •    Named 2017-18 U SPORTS Coach of the Year – first time ever - and 2017-18 Canada West Coach of the Year - fifth time ever - during his 14th season at Manitoba.
    •    Guided the women's team to the 2018 U SPORTS national championship - first time in the 21 year history of the program and 2018 Canada West championship – the third CW title – after claiming top spot in the conference for the first time ever with a 19-5-3-1 regular season record.
    •    In addition, the Herd registered the second most points in CW history with 64 and tied for second most wins (regulation and overtime/shootout combined) with 22.
    •    The Bisons reached the No. 1 ranking in the U SPORTS Top 10 poll for the first time in program's history at the start of December 2017 and went on to claim the top spot for seven weeks in two different stints, while being ranked throughout the entire season.
    •    Rempel won his 200th Canada West conference regular season games this season and now holds 214-132-6 record, second best mark in CW women's hockey coaching history.

Bison Sports have honoured rookie of the year since the 2009-10 season. In the ninth year of Bison Rookie of the Year awards that reflects the outstanding contribution of a first year Bison, the Bison Female Rookie of the Year comes from the women's hockey program as goaltender Lauren Taraschuk earned U SPORTS and conference recognition in her first season at Manitoba in 2017-18.  
    •    Key part of the women's hockey championship winning team as she was named to 2017-18 U SPORTS All-Rookie Team at the goaltender position plus 2017-18 Canada West Women's Hockey Rookie of the Year.
    •    Taraschuk played in all seven playoff wins during the 2017-18 national championship run as she posted four shutouts, two alone in U SPORTS championship in 2018 post-season plus was named Manitoba's Player of the Game in thrilling shootout win in semi final at Nationals.
    •    The Winnipeg native was first in U SPORTS and Canada West Goals Against Average with a 0.71 and also second in U SPORTS and conference Save Percentage at .961 while sporting a 10-2-0 record and tied for fourth most conference wins (T-12th in U SPORTS) at 10 while playing in 12 of 28 conference regular season games in 2017-18.
    •    Her winning percentage of .909 was best in all of U SPORTS. The 6'0" goaltender was also tied for fourth with five shutouts in Canada West play and had a five game conference winning streak (Oct. 27/17-Nov. 25/17).

The Bison Male Rookie of the Year is men's volleyball middle Brendan Warren as he had made an immediate impact during his rookie campaign in 2017-18 at Manitoba.
    •    Warren was named to the 2017-18 Canada West conference All-Rookie Team at the middle position.
    •    Had a fantastic rookie campaign at Manitoba after playing at Vincent Massey Collegiate in Winnipeg; In his first year with the Bisons, the Howden, MB native was first on the team along with first in U SPORTS and Canada West conference in total blocks with 112.
    •    The 6'6", 193 lbs. blocker also was fifth in points (126.5) and in kills (63) in team stats while playing in 88 of 92 conference regular season sets and 23 of 24 conference regular season matches.

The Student-Athlete Leadership and Community Development Award were distributed for the 12th year to one female and two male recipients. Fifth year women's hockey student-athlete Alana Serhan and third year men's hockey student-athlete Brett Stovin and fifth year track and field student-athlete Gee-ef Nkwonta were this season's award winners, which highlight their leadership skills, community involvement and also academics and athletics.

Serhan has been an vocal leader in the community and on the ice in her career.  
    •    Serhan has been heavily involved with U of M Athlete's Council, or UMAC as a team Rep in the past and now for last two seasons as Co-Chair; UMAC organizes various community service activities such as Bison Book Buddies, holiday hampers and assisting at Siloam Mission to name a few.
    •    She has organized and delivered programs for female minor hockey teams in Winnipeg and set-up players to be in mentor roles for these teams during the years
    •    She has been instrumental in the Bisons Against Bullying program as she has taken an active role in sharing her story and expanding the reach of the program to get this message out over the years.
    •    Her leadership is a key component as being an alternate captain the last two seasons, an honour that is voted on by her teammates, and helped be large part of a championship winning season in 2017-18.
    •    Serhan is a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian and is completing her Bachelor's degree in Environment, Earth & Resources.

Stovin has been a major influence on campus and the community over the years.  
    •    Stovin has been heavily involved with U of M Athlete's Council, or UMAC as a team Rep for last two seasons.
    •    His positivity has been shown throughout his dedication and tireless work with the Bison men's hockey program for this year and over the last three seasons as has taken a lead role in help market the program.
    •    He was a key leader in this year's Christmas Hamper campaign and making this project highly successful.
    •    His leadership is important as became a team captain this season after being an alternate captain last year and the coaching staff leans on confers with his feedback on team dynamics, planning and other matters with the team.

Nkwonta has been a tireless leader at campus, on the track and in the community during his five year career.  
    •    Nkwonta has been one of the leading student-athletes during his five years with the Bison track and field as he been involved in the community as a club coach (age 14-17) for the past four years plus a provincial coach for this age and volunteer coach at the National Legion Athletic Camp and National Championship.
    •    He is also heavily involved with U of M Athlete's Council, or UMAC the past three years and is currently Co-Chair; UMAC organizes various community service activities such as Bison Book Buddies, Bisons Against Bullying and assisting at Siloam Mission to name a few.
    •    Helped with outreach program for Nike to bring activities to children at boys and girls clubs plus also initiated a public reading session at a retirement home.
    •    His leadership is evident as been selected as a captain for four consecutive years for the Bison Track and Field team.
    •    He is a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian twice and is completing his Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology & Recreation Mgmt.

In addition, the sixth year of the Pat Gill Legacy Award was handed out to long-serving Bison men's hockey team physician Dr. Mike MacKay. He started work with the Bisons in 1986 and also holds a clinic at the Athletic Therapy Centre to service all Bison athletes over the years. This award is presented in the spirit of Pat Gill, a dedicated, long-serving staff member and volunteer in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. Pat served as the Bison Football Team Manager for over 40 years before his passing in December 2011.

In its inaugural year of handing out, the Bison Sports Assistant Coach of the Year is Alanna Boudreau of track and field.
    •    Boudreau had an amazing season as she is a jumps coach for Bison Track and Field teams and her student-athletes had quite the season
    •    She coaches two medallist at 2018 U SPORTS Track and Field Championship - Oyinko Akinola silver in men's high jump; Gee-ef Nkwonta bronze in men's triple jump plus had four men jumpers qualify for men's triple jump at U SPORTS Championship
    •    In addition, she coached Sasanie Wanigasekara as she won bronze in women's triple jump at 2018 CW T&F Championship and seventh at U SPORTS Championship plus Akinola - three medals at 2018 CW T&F Championship
    •    Finally, also worked with Jessica and Adam Gundrum in combined events as both won Canada West silver medals in women's pentathlon and men's heptathlon.


Along with the major awards, Bison Sports recognized team MVP from each team, each year.

Bison Sports Team MVPs for the 2017-18 season
Women's Basketball – Taylor Randall
Men's Basketball – Justus Alleyn
Women's Cross Country – Rebekah Sass
Men's Cross Country – Abduselam Yussuf
Football – Jamel Lyles
Men's Golf – Devon Schade
Women's Golf – Marissa Naylor
Women's Hockey – Jordyn Zacharias
Men's Hockey – Byron Spriggs
Women's Soccer – Hailey Lavarias
Women's Swimming – Kelsey Wog
Men's Swimming – Anthony Iliouchetchev
Women's Track & Field – Tegan Turner
Men's Track & Field – Oyinko Akinola
Women's Volleyball – Cassie Bujan
Men's Volleyball – Adam DeJonckheere


Bison Sports Major Awards for the 2017-18 season

2017-18 BISON SPORTS ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Female: Venla Hovi – Hockey
Male: Justus Alleyn – Basketball

2017-18 BISON SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR
Jon Rempel – Women's Hockey

2017-18 BISON SPORTS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Female: Lauren Taraschuk – Hockey
Male: Brendan Warren – Volleyball

2017-18 BISON SPORTS STUDENT-ATHLETE LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Female: Alana Serhan – Hockey
Male: Gee-ef Nkwonta – Track and Field and Brett Stovin – Hockey

2017-18 BISON SPORTS PAT GILL LEGACY AWARD
Dr. Mike MacKay – Team physician for Bison men's hockey holds a clinic at the Athletic Therapy Centre to service all Bison athletes over the years

2017-18 BISON SPORTS ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR
Alanna Boudreau – Track and Field