Stefan Ptaszek Best Football Coach in Canada

Marauders’ field boss judged best in Canada

Source: Canadian Interuniversity Sport – November 22, 2012 [Hamilton Scores]

Toronto – McMaster’s Stefan Ptaszek was named coach of the year in Canadian Interuniversity Sport football on Wednesday (Nov. 21) while Zach Androschuk from the University of Guelph received the Russ Jackson Award recognizing excellence in football, academics and citizenship. Ptaszek and Androschuk were honoured in front of a sold-out crowd of over 400 guests during the AMJ Campbell All-Canadian Awards Banquet at Ontario Place. More CIS hardware will be handed out on Thursday night during the Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards at Koerner Hall, including the Hec Crighton Trophy (outstanding player of the year), Presidents’ Trophy (defensive MVP), J.P. Metras Trophy (outstanding down lineman) and Peter Gorman Trophy (rookie of the year). The 48th Vanier Cup final between the Laval Rouge et Or and McMaster Marauders is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Centre, live on TSN and RDS. Pre-game coverage on TSN starts at 7 p.m.

Stefan Ptaszek McMaster Football Head Coach

Ptaszek joins Greg Marshall (2000) and Bernie Custis (1982) as the only McMaster head coaches to merit the Frank Tindall Trophy. In his seventh campaign at the helm, the 41-year-old guided his troops to the program’s first 8-0 regular season since 2003. A year after claiming their first-ever national title, the Marauders resumed their domination in conference play as they led Ontario University Athletics in six of eight major statistical categories, including points scored (45.6 per game), total yards (582.5), passing offence (370.0), fewest points against (15.6), fewest total yards allowed (340.2) and best rush defence (104.6). Going into Friday’s Vanier Cup final, the Hamilton powerhouse has won a CIS-record 21 consecutive league and playoff games dating back to Week 3 of the 2011 schedule. Ptaszek has led the Marauders to the post-season in each of his seven years as bench boss, including back-to-back Yates Cup banners and the 2011 Vanier Cup triumph. He heads into Friday’s contest with a 51-19 (.729) overall record since taking over the program, including a 42-14 (.750) mark in league play and 9-5 (.643) in the playoffs. A native of Burlington, Ptaszek began his CIS journey as a star receiver at Wilfrid Laurier University (1990-94), where he was a three-time all-Canadian and earned his first of three Vanier Cup rings in 1991. Following a four-year CFL career with BC, Hamilton and Toronto, he embarked on his coaching career at the high school level and then returned to CIS as UBC’s special teams coordinator. He returned to his alma mater and helped guide the Golden Hawks to the 2005 Vanier Cup title in his third and final season as offensive coordinator. “There is no doubt that the heart and soul of McMaster Marauder football is Stefan Ptaszek,” said Jeff Giles, director of athletics and recreation at McMaster. “His energy, passion, and most importantly his commitment to the success of each and every student-athlete have securely positioned this program among the elite in this country. For Stefan to be recognized as the CIS coach of the year is a tremendous accomplishment and a true honour that everyone at McMaster is very proud of.” Other nominees for the award were Jeff Cummins, Acadia, Glen Constantin, Laval, and Blake Nill, Calgary. Androschuk is the first member of the Gryphons to receive the Russ Jackson Award since the inception of the trophy in 1986. On the field, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back is a two-year captain of the special teams unit and a four-year starter who won the team’s Kyle Walters Trophy in 2011 for being the best-prepared player on the Guelph roster. This fall, in his fifth and final CIS season, he ranked sixth on the team with 30.5 tackles in eight league games and also had one interception and a fumble recovery as the Gryphons took second place in OUA with a program-best 7-1 record. In the classroom, the Sarnia, Ont., native has been named to the Dean’s Honour Roll and has achieved Academic All-Canadian status each of his first four years on the Guelph campus. In 2011, he held an 84.6 per cent academic average while majoring in biomedical sciences and won the University’s President’s Award for excellence in the classroom and on the field. He graduated with distinction in April of 2012 and is currently completing a minor in neuroscience. He has already been accepted to Western University’s medical school. In addition, Androschuk plays an important role in many community circles. His life was forever changed six years ago when one of his closest friends was severely hurt when wrestling with him and unfortunately became a quadriplegic. They have remained very close while working together on an organization called It Happens. They have managed to take an unfortunate event and turn it into a positive contribution to touch the lives of others. Androschuk has also been instrumental in organizing the first “Guelph Wheels in Action”, a spinal cord injury fundraiser held at the University of Guelph. He has volunteered as a Brain Day Director, a nationwide outreach initiative where university students present to Grades 4-6 on brain and spinal cord anatomy. His other efforts include volunteering in the St. Joseph’s Hospital spinal rehabilitation unit, participating in the “Big Brothers Bowl for Kids’ Sake” fundraiser, and serving as a “Believe to Achieve” motivational speaker to high school students. “Zach has a commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom that embodies the spirit and dedication of a student-athlete destined for great things,” said Guelph head coach Stu Lang. “He has shown tremendous leadership skills as well as an incredible maturity and self-awareness in recognizing the impact he can have not only as an athlete and teammate but also as an ambassador and champion within the community.” Other nominees for the award were Matt Albright, Saint Mary’s (offensive tackle / science); David Haddrall, Bishop’s (receiver / natural sciences); and Brett Jones, Regina (guard / engineering & applied science)

ALL-TIME FRANK TINDALL TROPHY WINNERS (coach of the year) 2012 Stefan Ptaszek, McMaster 2011 Jeff Cummins, Acadia 2010 Glen Constantin, Laval 2009 Steve Sumarah, Saint Mary’s 2008 Pat Sheahan, Queen’s 2007 Frank McCrystal, Regina 2006 Denis Piché, Ottawa 2005 Glen Constantin, Laval 2004 Jerry Friesen, Alberta 2003 Gary Jeffries, Wilfrid Laurier 2002 Chuck McMann, McGill 2001 Brian Dobie, Manitoba 2000 Greg Marshall, McMaster 1999 Blake Nill, Saint Mary’s 1998 Larry Haylor, Western 1997 John Stevens, StFX 1996 Dan McNally, Guelph 1995 Rick Zmich, Wilfrid Laurier 1994 Brian Towriss, Saskatchewan 1993 Larry Uteck, Saint Mary’s 1992 Ian Breck, Bishop’s 1991 Rich Newbrough, Wilfrid Laurier 1990 Larry Haylor, Western 1989 Dave Knight, Waterloo 1988 Larry Uteck, Saint Mary’s 1987 Frank Smith, UBC 1986 Bruce Coulter, Bishop’s 1985 Peter Connellan, Calgary 1984 Steve Bruno, Mount Allison 1983 Doug Hargreaves, Queen’s 1982 Bernie Custis, McMaster 1981 John Huard, Acadia 1980 Cam Innes, Ottawa 1979 Dave “Tuffy” Knight, Wilfrid Laurier 1978 Frank Smith, UBC 1977 Peter Connellan, Calgary 1976 Darwin Semotiuk, Western 1975 Don Gilbert, Ottawa 1974 Ron Murphy, Toronto 1973 Ed Hilton, UPEI 1972 Dave “Tuffy” Knight, Wilfrid Laurier 1971 Jim Donlevy, Alberta 1970 Frank Cosentino, Western 1969 Henry Janzen, Manitoba ALL-TIME RUSS JACKSON AWARD WINNERS (outstanding student-athlete & citizenship) 2012 Zach Androschuk, Guelph 2011 Dillon Heap, Wilfrid Laurier 2010 Thomas Hall, Manitoba 2009 Thomas Hall, Manitoba 2008 David Hamilton, Toronto 2007 Clovis Langlois-Boucher, Sherbrooke 2006 Naim El-Far, Ottawa 2005 Dan Parker, Mount Allison 2004 Nathan Beveridge, UBC 2003 Curt McLellan, Queen’s 2002 Lincoln Blumell, Calgary 2001 Josh Alexander, Wilfrid Laurier 2000 Carlo Panaro, Alberta 1999 Carlo Panaro, Alberta 1998 Jean-Philippe Darche, McGill 1997 Sam Stetsko, Alberta 1996 Sean O’Neill, Carleton 1995 Ted MacLean, Saint Mary’s 1994 Steve Papp, McGill 1993 David Sykes, Saint Mary’s 1992 David Sykes, Saint Mary’s 1991 J.P. Veri, McGill 1990 J.P. Veri, McGill 1989 Jock Climie, Queen’s 1988 Andrew Allison, Mount Allison 1987 Elio Geremia, Calgary 1986 Charlie Galunic, Queen’s More Football [Click Here]

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McMaster Defends Yates Cup Champion Title!

Big Mac Machine keeps rolling along with Yates Cup win

Source: Ian Speers for OUA– November 11, 2012 [Hamilton Scores]

The No. 1 nationally ranked Marauders captured their second consecutive Yates Cup title with a 30-13 victory over the Guelph Gryphons Saturday before an overflow crowd of 5,427 at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium.

The win extends the reigning Vanier Cup champions’ winning streak to a Canadian Interuniversity Sport record of 20 consecutive conference and playoff contests, breaking the previous mark of 19 set by the Laval Rouge et Or in the 2004 and 2005 campaigns.

McMaster linebacker Shane Beaton (Brampton) took the Dalt White Trophy as most valuable player of the Yates Cup game, delivering 10 solo tackles, including three tackles for a loss, and one pass breakup. He was also named Port Airlines player of the game.

McMaster scored 21 unanswered points over the course of 10 minutes in the first and second quarters, capitalizing on a pair of Guelph miscues to score 10 of those points off turnovers. The Marauder defence repeatedly succeeded in pinning the Gryphons, rated No. 5 in the country going into the Ontario University Athletics showdown, deep in their end in the first half, forcing the Gryphons to concede three safety touches rather than punt from the shadow of their own goalposts.

“I thought our defence played tremendously well when they were backed up,” said McMaster head coach Stefan Ptaszek. “They did a great job forcing field goals and creating turnovers, so our 21-3 lead (in the second quarter) was a product of finishing on defence, but not finishing in the score zone.”

Photo: Robin Leworthy Wilson (Aerial Promotions)

This season’s league MVP and McMaster quarterback Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee) posted a stunning 80% completion percentage, connecting on 16 of 20 passes, while amassing 265 yards and two touchdowns. Quinlan added 70 yards on 11 rushes. His favourite target, Mike DiCroce (Hamilton), accounted for 144 yards on seven receptions.

For the Gryphons, quarterback Jazz Lindsey (Markham) threw for 319 yards, completing 29 of 47 attempts and throwing three interceptions.

In their only previous meeting this year, McMaster downed Guelph 50-9 in the first week of the regular season, accounting for Guelph’s only other defeat of the 2012 campaign.

The win gives McMaster its sixth Yates Cup title in club history, all from 2000 to date.

The Gryphons opened the scoring at the 4:38 mark of the first quarter, capping their first possession of the game with a 12-yard field goal from Julian Tropea (Niagara Falls). Guelph spotted McMaster its first two points on its next possession, Tropea conceding his first of three safety touches.

McMaster’s offence found the end zone on the ensuing possession with a Quinlan-to-Robert Babic (Oakville) play for a two-yard passing major. Two plays later, Lindsey threw an interception into the waiting arms of Marauder defensive back Scott Martin (London), which McMaster soon converted into three points via a 20-yard Tyler Crapigna (Nepean) field goal.

A Guelph fumble on the next play from scrimmage promptly gave McMaster the ball on the Guelph 39 yard-line and Quinlan wasted little time in connecting with Tyler Loveday (Kitchener) on a 21-yard pass-and-run touchdown to give McMaster a 19-3 lead in the opening minute of the second quarter.

Guelph struggled on its ensuing possessions, in turn conceding a second safety touch and throwing an interception. The Gryphons offence finally gelled on a 13-play, 71-yard drive culminating in a one-yard rushing major by Lindsey. One further safety touch conceded by Guelph sent the teams to the intermission with a 23-10 McMaster lead.

McMaster added to its lead margin in the third quarter, off a two-yard rushing major by Kasean Davis-Reynolds (Mississauga). Guelph responded on the ensuing possession with a 16-yard field goal by Tropea. A scoreless fourth quarter was highlighted by a McMaster pass rush tallying three sacks in the final five minutes of play, stifling Guelph’s sputtering offence.

McMaster will host the CIS semi-final Mitchell Bowl on Saturday (Nov. 17) against the Hardy Cup champions, the Calgary Dinos, who defeated the Regina Rams. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. and the game will be televised on TSN.

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