Grassick, Elgersma win Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards as U Sports top athletes

By Canadian Press on June 2, 2025.

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS — University of Saskatchewan basketball player Gage Grassick and Wilfrid Laurier University quarterback Taylor Elgersma have been named the 2024-25 U Sports Athletes of the Year.

U Sports announced the winners of the Lois and Doug Mitchell Award at an awards program Monday.

Grassick, from Prince Albert, Sask., won the Lois Mitchell award after she led the Huskies to a national title.

She averaged 20.7 points per game and won MVP honours at the U Sports Final 8 tournament, scoring 35 points in Saskatchewan’s 85-66 win over defending champion Carleton in the final.

Elgersma, from London, Ont., led the Doug Mitchell Award after he led U Sports in passing yards (3,554), passing yards per game (323.1), and passing touchdowns (28) this season.

He led Laurier to the Vanier Cup final, winning MVP at the Yates Cup and offensive MVP of the Uteck Bowl conference championship along the way.

The other female sport finalists were Cape Breton soccer player Alliyah Rowe of Kitchener, Ont.; Laval runner Marie-Frédérique Poulin of La Pocatière, Que.; and Western runner Favour Okpali of Toronto.

The other male nominees were St. Francis Xavier basketball player DJ Jackson of Mississauga, Ont.; Laval runner Philippe Morneau-Cartier of Quebec City and Calgary basketball player Nate Petrone.

“We are so proud of the eight nominees this year. They are exceptional student-athletes and citizens,” Lois Mitchell, chair of the Canadian Athletic Foundation Board of Trustees, said in a statement.

“Gage and Taylor had outstanding seasons, demonstrating their adaptability to any condition they have faced on the field of competition and in the classroom. They are excellent recipients of the Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.

The Canadian Press