Lancer athletes receive awards from college

(Belleville, Ontario-01/19/12) Matthew Miller was the winner of the Scott Reid Memorial award for the second year in a row. 27 athletes were honoured yesterday at Loyalist College. Photo by Harrison Perkins

By Harrison Perkins

Loyalist College recognized 27 varsity athletes at a luncheon held Thursday.

In a news release from the college, the athletes were honored after achieving both academic excellence and putting in countless hours on various teams.

Jim Buck, manager of Athletics and Campus Recreation at Loyalist College, he said that athletes who combine school with sports will be attractive to future employers.

“Their work ethic, time management, team work and determination are beyond question,” Buck said at the luncheon.

One of the people recognized at yesterday’s luncheon has battled through more than challenging teams on the court.

When Matthew Miller was 15 he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had to have his thyroid removed in surgery.

The graduate of Moira Secondary School in Belleville has won the Scott Reid Memorial award two years in a row. Miller says that the second time round is just as rewarding.

“It’s a pretty good award for me because he went through the same stuff as I did”.

The scholarship is awarded to a member of the men’s basketball team, who best exemplifies the positive attitude, the willingness to improve and succeed, the leadership, the talent, and the true love for the game that Scott brought to the Lancers. Scott was a graduate of Business Administration ‘94 and played varsity basketball at the College from ‘91 – ‘94 while attending Loyalist.

Miller plans on attending Brock University in the next few years and keep up with sports.

“I want to play basketball at the university level, and I’m trying to take Phys-Ed in university as well”.

When asked if it is hard to balance school life with sports, Miller said there is usually enough time to manage everything.

“We have a mandatory study hall so we get to do our homework or catch up on any work we miss, so it’s pretty easy”.

(Belleville, Ontario-01/19/12) Loyalist College nursing student Lindsey Buck was one of 27 athletes reconized by the college yesterday. Photo by Harrison Perkins

Lindsey Buck, daughter of Jim Buck, went from the court to the pitch this year due to a knee injury. She was one of the athletes recognized.

“I just really didn’t want to injure myself further and take a chance on injuring myself for the upcoming school year,” Buck said.

Buck’s said in her first two years it was hard to balance life, school and athletics.

She said that you definitely have to have good time management skills.

Buck played goal for the Loyalist Lancers women’s soccer team this season. She said the soft pitch was a nice change compared to a hard floor.

“I played competitive basketball forever so being able to play competitive soccer was a nice change,” Buck said.

A complete list of all winners can be found at

http://www.loyalistcollege.com/news/loyalist-college-recognizes-varsity-athletes-at-sc-911