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view . spring 2013
SASSINE NAMED CIS ACADEMIC TOP 8
Lancer Nicole Sassine BHK ’11, BEd ’12 has
once again proven herself
among Canada’s elite
for her performance not only on the track, but also in
the classroom.
This past October, Canadian Interuniversity Sport
(CIS) named the Lancer track and field alumna to its CIS
Academic Top 8 for the 2011-12 season.
Every year, a growing number of
CIS student-athletes are recognized
as Academic All-Canadians for having
maintained an average of 80 per cent
or better over the academic year while
competing for one or more of their
university’s varsity teams.
In 2011-2012, a record 2,610
students achieved the prestigious status,
eclipsing the previous mark of 2,398 set
a year ago.
However, among these outstanding
individuals, only one female and one
male student-athlete from each of
the four CIS regional associations
are selected annually as Top Eight
Academic All-Canadians. It was on this
stellar team that Sassine earned a spot.
“It’s still hard to believe. It’s a very wonderful surprise,”
said Sassine. “Being named to the Academic Top 8 is a
tremendous personal achievement, and it not only reflects
my own success, but the success of our University and
Athletics Department. I could not have done this without
the help and support of my fellow teammates
and coaches.”
This is the fifth time in the past seven years that a
Windsor Lancer has been named to the CIS Academic
Top 8. Previous recipients include Erika Reiser (2010-11),
Noelle Montcalm (2008-09), and Jackie Malette (2005-06
and 2006-07).
“Balancing academics and athletics can be difficult,”
added Sassine. “Each on their own can be overwhelming
at first; together they can be a whirlwind. You have to learn
how to time manage.”
CIS president Leo MacPherson
praised the scholar-athletes, “To be
selected over 10,000 of their peers is an
exceptional accomplishment they should
be proud of.”
Sassine ended her five-year track
and field career at UWindsor in 2011-12
as one of the most prominent student-
athletes in Lancer history. In her final
season, she was named CIS female
athlete of the year in track events and
captured the Dr. Wendy Jerome Trophy
as the OUA’s overall female MVP.
A four-time medalist at the OUA
championships—including two gold—
and three-time medalist at the CIS meet,
Sassine guided the Lancer women to a
fourth OUA team title in five campaigns and
a fourth consecutive CIS banner.
An A+ student in kinesiology before entering teacher’s
college, the Windsor native was an Academic All-Canadian,
a member of the Dean’s Achievement List and a member
of the President’s Honour Roll each of the past four years.
Sassine is a former recipient of the Lancer Blue & Gold
Scholarship. She merited the 2011-12 DeMarco Award as
the top female student-athlete at the University of Windsor.
LANCER
NEWS
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By Elisa Mitton BComm ’05
Nicole Sassine BHK ’11, BEd ’12
