CHATEAU NAMED OCAA ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

TORONTO - Ray Chateau of Humber College has been named the inaugural Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Athletic Administrator of the Year.

Chateau has been Humber's Director of Athletics and Recreation for 10 years, creating the blueprint for the most successful athletics department in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Humber's eight CCAA gold medals this season was a new record, more than 21 active OCAA institutions have in their entire history. The Hawks finished with 12 national medals in total - eight gold, two silver and two bronze. Humber also extended its record of 20-plus provincial medals to 12 straight seasons - finishing with 13 gold, four silver and five bronze.

Since the beginning of 2021-22, Humber Athletics has hosted three national championships (women's soccer, men's basketball and men's volleyball) with great success as Humber's reputation for hosting top-tier events is second to none. This can only be accomplished by tremendous teamwork among staff in the department and throughout the college. Humber also played host to the 2022 OCAA Men's Soccer Championship after hosting two provincial championships in cross country and men's basketball the previous season.

Humber has won two consecutive CCAA Academic All-Canadian Recognition Awards and will win it again this season with an CCAA-record 23 Academic All-Canadians for the 2022-23 season. With over 250 student-athletes that require as much academic support as they do athletic support, Chateau was influential in adding a second full-time varsity academic coordinator.

A chartered professional coach, Chateau is the Director of Operations for Redmond of the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association prep league. Chateau is also the president of Etobicoke Basketball, where due to a staff shortage as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ran a house league for 700-plus kids, creating a season schedule, organizing uniforms, and setting meetings for athlete and coach's evaluations. Chateau is also a member of the Coaches Association of Canada, helping with the license and registration committee.

A long time member of the OCAA Senior Leadership Council, Chateau stepped into the role of OCAA President for the second time late last year. Chateau was previously Past President and First Vice President. Chateau encourages Humber employees to take on volunteer roles as OCAA Senior and Junior Convenors, including Eric Savage (men's basketball), Brian Lepp (men's baseball) and Ricardo Fonseca (men's soccer).

Chateau is a member of the OCAA Hall of Fame in the coach's category, and will enter the CCAA Hall of Fame this June. Chateau served a dozen seasons as Humber's head golf coach, winning 10 CCAA national championships and 50 overall tournament victories.

The OCAA has expanded its season ending awards to include an athletic administrator, coach and rookies in addition to its traditional athletes of the year. Winners will be honoured at the 10th OCAA Hall of Fame ceremony, to be held at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts in Windsor, Ont., on Monday, May 1.

2022-23 OCAA MAJOR AWARDS

Apr. 12 - Ray Chateau, Athletic Administrator of the Year
Apr. 13 - Female Rookie of the Year
Apr. 14 - Male Rookie of the Year
Apr. 17 - Coach of the Year
Apr. 18 - Male Athlete of the Year
Apr. 19 - Female Athlete of the Year

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

For over 50 years, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association has been a dedicated leader in amateur athletics through the provision of quality varsity and recreational athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com