The Ontario Collegiate Recreation (OCR) group is excited to announce the selection of two Student Leadership Award recipients for the 2020-21 year. This award is given to student leaders who have significant involvement in their athletics and recreation departments, who motivate their peers, volunteer in many capacities and promote athletics and recreation on their campuses.
Elisa Berdusco of Canadore College was selected for her outstanding research pertaining to recreation and wellness during a pandemic and her leadership in implementing creative and unique virtual events for the student body. She facilitated a virtual Varsity Appreciation night with various games, challenges and prizing in attempts to keep the student-athlete community engaged. She authored a Sign-Out Rec Experience program that enabled student-athletes to borrow recreational equipment to enjoy in the comfort and safety of their own home. The experience included video tutorials, alternative game play options and much more. Elisa created copious amounts of social wellbeing program ideas to battle the effects of social isolation and leveraged social media outlets to target varying student groups with these resources. Her in-depth and detailed research collection surrounding the impacts of the pandemic on the student body was extremely valuable to not only the Athletics & Recreation department but the College as a whole.
"We're sad to have Elisa leave us as we certainly enjoyed and benefitted by having her be a part of our team in Panther Sport and Wellness this Winter," comments Mike Haines, Recreation and Wellness Coordinator at Canadore College. "We're all certainly looking forward to following her journey from afar, witnessing her amazing successes in the world of community recreation, and the many other positive impacts in her career and life devoted to improving the human experience."
Michael Beale of St. Clair College was selected for his outstanding leadership in special events with the Saints Student Athletic Association (SSAA). He facilitated four events throughout the year including a golf tournament, outdoor turf field challenges, indoor court challenges and a tennis tournament. These events were wildly successful and provided students with the opportunity to get involved in sport-based activities throughout the pandemic. Michael worked with the SSAA board to start an initiative called Saints Sport Talk where they interviewed various coaches and athletes. Michael lead numerous online and virtual events for the student body, including events tailored to making International students feeling welcome in their first few weeks into a new country. In addition, Michael held a key role in the development and opening of the Sports Park, a new game-changing Athletics facility for St. Clair College.
"Michael made a huge impact on our student body this past year even though we spent the whole year in a pandemic," comments Christina Gatto, Director of Athletics & Recreation at St. Clair College. "His goal from day one was to do everything he could to engage and involve our students in the best manner possible during these difficult times. Even though it was often difficult to motivate students and his board, Michael worked tirelessly in the daily planning and developing of recreational activities to assist in enhancing student life on campus and online.
In a year that presented many challenges, barriers and possibly negative impacts to our athletes and greater student bodies, the OCR is grateful to have student leaders like Elisa and Michael who are dedicated, passionate and committed to bettering the student-athlete experience. Thank you for all of your hard work this past year and congratulations on your recognition!
Source: OCR Communications