London ON - The Western Mustangs won a trio of top provincial sport awards for 2024-25, Ontario University Athletics announced on May 14, 2025, including: Coach of the Year, Athlete of the Year and Team of the Year.

Vickie Croley Named 2024–25 OUA Coach of the Year

Vickie Croley, Head Coach of the Western Mustangs Track & Field program, has been named the 2024–25 OUA Women's Coach of the Year, a fitting way to cap off her final season with the Mustangs before her retirement in summer 2025. Currently in her 32nd year as Head Coach, Croley led both the Men's and Women's teams to historic U SPORTS Championships this season— a first for Western University, as well as leading the OUA Women's Track & Field team to win gold in back-to-back seasons.

With this award, Croley is being recognized for her holistic coaching philosophy, championing athlete development, mental well-being, and equity in sport. A tireless advocate for inclusion, she has prioritized making connections in the indigenous community, black community, and with women in sport. She has mentored countless coaches, and as an NCCP Level 4 Coach and Learning Facilitator, Croley has also played an integral role in advancing coach education in Canada.

Christine Stapleton, Director of Sports & Recreation at Western University, noted, "Vickie Croley models the way as a strong, steady and values-driven leader. She has been an exceptional leader for the Western Mustangs and has mentored numerous coaches. She is always willing to learn and share, further amplifying her values of playing, winning and growing together. We have been privileged as an institution to have a recognized world class coach, who not only is consistently offered international opportunities, but who also is a part of the winning Damian Warner team, and consistently leads our Mustangs teams to championships."

Croley's accolades this season include OUA Track & Field Women's Coach of the Year, U SPORTS Sue Wise Women's Coach of the Year, and U SPORTS Dr. Bob Boucher Men's Coach of the Year — a rare trifecta, and now she can add OUA Coach of the Year to that list . Under her leadership, the Women's team earned its fourth OUA title, while both the Men's and Women's teams claimed national gold.

Croley's influence stretches beyond medals and records. She co-chaired the "Stay in the Game" conference promoting women in sport, launched BIPOC-focused team awards, and fostered a team culture grounded in care and empowerment. "When athletes know you care, they want to do well," she often says — a sentiment echoed by countless student-athletes over the decades.

Favour Okpali Wins 2024–25 OUA Athlete of the Year

Western Mustangs sprinter Favour Okpali has been named the 2024–25 OUA Athlete of the Year, a recognition of her athletic dominance and team leadership throughout her storied university career. The Software Engineering Masters student leaves an unmatched legacy as the most decorated long sprinter in Western history.

Okpali's final season was nothing short of historic. She broke her own OUA record in the 600m with a blistering 1:27.35, came second in the 300m, and anchored the 4x400m relay. At U SPORTS, she earned gold in the 600m, silver in the 300m, and brought the relay team from fifth to fourth with a remarkable 53.4s split — helping Western secure the U SPORTS Women's Team Championship.

A recipient of 10 OUA medals, 7 U SPORTS medals, 3 school records, and 2 OUA records, Okpali has redefined excellence on the track. She's also been a two-time team captain, mentor to younger athletes, and a strong advocate for her peers — balancing elite athletics with academic excellence in STEM.

Mustangs Track and Field Head Coach Vickie Croley speaks highly of Okpali's contributions to the team and her leadership. "Favour is one of the busiest athletes on our team at meets, especially at Championship meets, although she can often be found cheering on her teammates when she is not warming up or competing herself. She is genuinely interested and supportive of how her teammates are doing and she is very enthusiastic when cheering…As a strong female in Engineering she is also an incredible role model and mentor for engineering students in general as well as our student-athletes. She has also been an advocate for her teammates on non-track related issues. She does everything well and also has a sense of humour which is very refreshing".

Off the track, Favour is known for lifting others up — literally and figuratively. "This team gave me confidence — it's been my family."

Looking ahead, Okpali hopes to qualify for World Championships or the Olympics, while continuing her engineering career. "Watching U SPORTS athletes represent Team Canada in Paris was so inspiring. I'd love to join that U SPORTS-to-Olympian pipeline."

Western Mustangs Women's Track & Field Team Crowned 2024–25 OUA Team of the Year

The Western Mustangs Women's Track & Field Team has been awarded the 2024–25 OUA Team of the Year, a fitting honour after having back-to-back championship seasons that rewrote the program's record books.

The Western's Women team finished the 2025 two-day OUA championship competition with 194 points and 17 medals to bring home the championship banner for the second year in a row.

A number of OUA records were set in the Women's 600m & 60m. Favour Okpali broke her own OUA mark when she ran a 1:27.35 to take the gold medal, Vivian Ogor ran a 7.22 in the 60 to set her own mark.

Western was also well represented in the Major Awards section. Favour Okpali was awarded the Dr. Wendy Jerome Trophy as Women's MVP and Vickie Croley was named the winner of the OUA Women's Coach of the Year honour.

A few weeks later, the Mustangs made history again — this time on the national stage — winning both the Men's and Women's U SPORTS Championships for the first time in university history. The women's team secured gold with 119 points, finishing a commanding 34 points ahead of the Guelph Gryphons.

"This is such an incredible group women that will go on and be very successful in life and I am so glad they got to experience what it is like to win a championship, they truly have earned this and it's been years in the making," said Mustangs Head Coach Vickie Croley

With a deep-rooted culture of support and excellence, this team's achievements reflects years of dedication, but also incredible friendship and camaraderie.

Photo Credit: Michael P. Hall