McMaster Marauders score big at OUA awards

The OUA major football awards were handed out in Hamilton today, and McMaster took home a whole lot of hardware.

Out of seven possible awards, the Marauders won 5.

This is the second year in a row that Mac’s taking home the Rookie of the Year award. In his OUA debut, Stoney Creek native Dan Petermann made 35 catches for 468 yards and four touchdowns. “I changed my practice habits, yah.”

For the 3rd time in 4 years, the Marauders laid claim to the standup defensive player award. This time it was Nick Shortill’s turn, after leading Mac with 29 solo tackles; 40 in total. His secret: “I worked out harder than I ever have before.”

For the first time ever, the Russ Jackson award – named after the McMaster alum and CFL legend – has gone to a Marauder. Defensive lineman Adam Dickson is a 4-time CIS academic all-Canadian, and tireless community volunteer.

Defensive line coach Carm Genovese was named volunteer of the year. He’s a former player who has spent the last 21 years as an assistant.

And finally, for the 2nd time in 3 years, Stefan Ptaszek has been named OUA Coach of the Year. Coming off an impressive 7 and 1 season, his 9 year career record now stands at 54 wins and only 18 losses.

“These individual awards are like a circle peg through a square hole. The ultimate team sport football is, and so we represent our whole program and I hope that everyone in our locker room takes pride in what was handed out today.”

“And then the ultimate team sport, we’ve got to get ready for a game on Saturday.”

That game: the Yates Cup. The Marauders are hosting Guelph.