TORONTO - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of extraordinary contributions and accomplishments within collegiate sports in Ontario.
Honoured members include student-athletes, coaches and builders of the association. This year, 32 new members will be recognized in the 10th OCAA Hall of Fame ceremony, to be held at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts in Windsor, Ont., on Monday, May 1.
The OCAA Hall of Fame was established in 2003. Including this year's induction, membership will expand to 452 individuals. The 2021 induction class was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with expanded classes planned in 2023 and 2025.
The class of 2023 includes the following athletes, coaches and builders:
Kyle Breitner
Category: Athlete
Sport: Men's Baseball
Institution: St. Clair College
Kyle Breitner compiled an astounding 37-3 overall record on the mound with a sparkling 1.52 ERA in over 280 innings pitched for St. Clair College. In Kyle's final pitching appearance at the 2017 National Championship, an 11th and final strikeout resulted in a semi-final win over Holland College, and a 300th career strikeout for Kyle as a Saint. Kyle's overall playoff record in five seasons was a splendid 8-1 with his only loss being a 2-1 defeat in a game at the 2014 OUA/OCAA championship against Brock University. Kyle helped the Saints baseball program win almost every major championship set in front of them over the past five seasons with the only blemish being a runner-up finish at the National Championship in 2016.
Jim Buck
Category: Builder
Institution: Loyalist College
With over 30 years of OCAA knowledge and experience, Jim Buck is a reliable sounding board for members from across the province. Jim makes a point of reaching out to new Athletic Directors to welcome them to the Association and offer support, mentoring several as well as going above and beyond to ensure Jim's own staff gain as much experience within the league as they can. Jim has served on countless OCAA and CCAA committees, including as the OCAA VP Finance during a particularly challenging time. Jim's leadership and commitment to navigating the Association back to a solid foundation was paramount. Jim is a passionate advocate for the student-athlete experience within the OCAA and is a champion of a quality student-athlete experience no matter the size of the institution.
Nouri Ghazi
Category: Coach
Sport: Badminton
Institution: Seneca College
Nouri Ghazi left a legacy matched by few in the sport and is one of the most decorated coaches in the history of the OCAA. The 2014-15 OCAA and CCAA Coach of the Year guided the Sting to an astonishing 26 OCAA medals (seven gold, 10 silver, nine bronze) and nine CCAA medals (four gold, two silver, three bronze). After gaining conference recognition during Nouri's early years of coaching, the Sting gained national prominence over the second half of Nouri's career. Following three consecutive years of capturing a bronze medal (2012 to 2014), the Sting had six teams play for a national championship over Nouri's final three years. The 2016-17 season was Nouri's most decorated as the Sting captured two national championships and a silver medal on home court.
Margaret Myjak
Category: Athlete
Sport: Cross Country/Badminton
Institution: Mohawk College
Margaret Myjak spent four seasons as a Mohawk Mountaineer (2003-04 to 2006-07) and was highly regarded as a student-athlete who embodied the true Mountaineer spirit. During the 2004-05 season, Margaret was the OCAA badminton women's singles silver medalist and the second-place finisher at the OCAA West Regional Cross Country Championships. The following season, Margaret was the OCAA gold medalist for women's singles in badminton and capped off the season by capturing the bronze medal at the CCAA championships. Margaret was also selected as the OCAA Player of the Year and a CCAA Academic All-Canadian and was named Mohawk's Most Valuable Player for badminton. Margaret's lively personality and thirst to learn was a contagious combination.
Jessica O'Quinn
Category: Athlete
Sport: Women's Softball
Institution: Humber College
Jessica O'Quinn burst onto the OCAA women's softball scene in 2011 and quickly became the face and best player of the newly formed Humber Hawks squad. Over three seasons as the leader of the Humber softball team, O'Quinn was the top pitcher, batter and positional player. A natural outfielder, Jessica moved to shortstop and ultimately the circle, becoming one of the top pitchers in Humber history - despite not throwing an inning for years before joining the Hawks. A silver medal performance in the team's first year was followed up with back-to-back OCAA championship titles. During Humber's championship runs in 2012 and 2013, O'Quinn hit .435 with eight RBIs in eight games, earning three wins in the circle - including the 2012 championship final against Durham.
Lorelle Weavers
Category: Athlete
Sport: Golf
Institution: Niagara College
Lorelle Weavers was a member of the Niagara Knights golf team from 2014 to 2016. Lorelle paved the way for women's golf at Niagara College, capturing a number of career milestones. In Lorelle's first season on the course with the Knights, Lorelle captured three consecutive OCAA invitational championships en route to an OCAA silver medal and a berth to the CCAA championships, where Lorelle emerged as the gold medal national champion for 2014. The following season, Lorelle won two of the three OCAA invitational events and took home the gold medal at the OCAA championships. Lorelle captured a second consecutive OCAA championship gold medal in one final season with the Knights in 2016.
More bios of each of the new inductees will be released in the coming weeks leading into the OCAA Hall of Fame Gala.
For more information on the origins and history of the OCAA Hall of Fame and to view honoured members biographies and photos, please visit the OCAA Hall of Fame website at www.ocaa.com/HallofFame.
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
For over 50 years, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association has been a dedicated leader in amateur athletics through the provision of quality varsity and recreational athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com