Today, the Western Mustangs community is recognizing 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award Winner Curtis Ames, Western Mustangs Men's Rowing Team. 

Video Interview with Winner Curtis Ames

To view a video interview with Curtis Ames and Men's Rowing Team Head Coach Dr. Daniel Bechard, please click below. For closed captioning options, please view the interview on YouTube https://youtu.be/Gd5vwwYf4tY



Purple Blanket Awards are granted to students who, often in their graduating year, are nominated by their coaches and chosen by members of the Selection Committee. Nominated individuals must have been a Western Mustangs student athlete for a minimum of three (3) years, have received a minimum of three (3) First Colour Awards throughout their career, and have been an active participant in their respective sport at the time of recommendation.



Ames is part of the Western Mustangs Rowing Team and has been a member of the team since 2016. He has been a Team Captain for the Mustangs Rowing Team for the past three seasons and represented Team Canada in the Under 23 National Team in rowing in 2019. He has been an OUA All Star in his three most recent seasons, has contributed to the Mustangs Rowing Team's first place victories in the 2016-17, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons and has placed first individually in the OUA Men's Heavyweight 8 competitions.

Ames came 7th in the Men's Heavyweight 2 competition at the National Rowing Championships in 2019, and placed 7th in the Men's Heavyweight 8 competition at the U23 World Championships. In his most recent season, he broke the pre-existing record for fastest all-time 6-kilometer test for the Mustangs Rowing Team. Ames was the Men's Heavyweight M.V.P. in the 2017-18 season, and was the OUA Rower of the Year in 2019.

"[Ames] has continually displayed an inspiring amount of dedication and passion, and I have known Curtis to always be committed to whatever goal he is working to achieve." said Rowing Team Head Coach Dr. Daniel Bechard. Coach Bechard described Ames as a "significant contributor" to the team's success throughout his career, and noted his leadership character and influence on the rest of the team. "[Ames] is a rare combination of academically driven and athletically accomplished." said Coach Bechard.

Rowing Team Head Coaches Dr. Daniel Bechard and Dr. Matthew Waddell noted Ames' role model character and that "through [Ames'] demonstrated work ethic, success in the boat and in the classroom, [Ames] has redefined what is possible for student-athletes." "There is no questions in my mind that [Ames] will go on to continued success in both the athletic and professional world. We look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next." they explained.

Coach Bechard also noted Ames' generous and dedicated character both within and outside of practice. "Even with his need to keep up with training, he selflessly gave up training equipment so his teammates could gain access. There is no doubt in my mind that [Ames] has the perseverance, determination, humility and demeanor to be excellent in his decided future." remarked Coach Bechard.

Ames is in the process of finishing his Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics from Western.

Congratulations to Curtis Ames for receiving a 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award. Your contributions to Western Mustangs Athletics have left their mark on the greater Mustangs community.