QUEBEC CITY, QB - Following a full day of travel, media responsibilities, meetings, and practice, the Mustangs ended their day with by enjoying the All-Canadian Gala at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Quebec.
Canada's brightest football stars from all over the country came together to celebrate the accomplishments of one another prior to the national championship. The All-Canadian Second Team was announced to kick off the night, with a trio of Mustangs being named to the roster in Bleska Kabamba, Marc Liegghio, and Daniel Valente each earning their way onto the roster with their spectacular play. Kabamba and Valente have helped lock down the defence for the purple and white all season long while Liegghio has consistently been the country's most dominant kicker and punter throughout the season.
The All-Canadian Second Team was then followed by the announcement of the First Team, where yet another three Mustangs earned their way onto the star-studded roster. Guard David Brown, running back Cedric Joseph, and linebacker Fraser Sopik all lined the All-Canadian First Team, representing Western with some of the most outstanding talent the program has ever seen.
However, despite cracking the First Team roster, Sopik wasn't done making his way onto the big stage. Later in the evening, Sopik was honoured with the Defensive Player of the Year Award, a warranted if not unsurprising decision. Sopik racked up an incredible 77 tackles on the year while leading the purple and white to their perfect record.
Defensive back Mackenzie Ferguson was also honoured with the prestigious Russ Jackson Award, recognizing his excellence in football, academics, and citizenship. The award was not only a testament to his on-field success, but to his dedication and selflessness off the field and in his community, making the Russ Jackson Award perhaps the most prestigious of the bunch.
Lastly, Mustangs head coach Greg Marshall's unmatched coaching display this season merited him his second career selection as Coach of the Year. Marshall's speech was far and away the most touching of the evening, as he praised nearly everybody for his legendary coaching success, except himself. Marshall's praise of his family, players, staff, and fellow head coaches was symbolic of his leadership ability and a significant reason why this Mustang program has been built to such great heights.
The All-Canadian Gala served not only as a precursor to the Western-Laval showdown this coming Saturday, as both schools collected a number of accolades, but rather highlighted the incredible student athletes from all over the country. Balancing the hectic schedule of both school and sport is a near-impossible task, but the gala acted as a tribute to our student athletes who manage to not only meet the challenge but rise above the expectations.
