February 8, 2011 - 6:12am
The VIU Mariners men’s soccer team was selected Team of the Year and Sports Story of the Year at the Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards on Feb. 5.
Coach Bill Merriman, who guided the team to national glory with the Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association championship last fall, won High-Performance Coach of the Year.
“It was a big year for soccer and it’s great to see Bill and the team get the recognition they deserve,” said VIU Athletic Director Bruce Hunter. “Bill had a strong program to start with but he took it to the next level. To produce a national championship after two years is great.”
VIU had 10 individuals or teams as finalists in the awards presented by PacificSport and the Coast Bastion Inn. The event recognizes athletes, teams, coaches, officials and other volunteers for their accomplishments over the past year.
In addition to the men’s soccer success, VIUI’s Aileen Holder was honoured as Female Team Athlete of the Year for her achievement in soccer and volleyball.
Other VIU finalists at the awards were Mariners Golf and Baseball in the Team of the Year category, Soccer goalie Robbie Cochrane for Male Team Athlete of the Year and standouts Kayla Gromme (Basketball) and Bronte Fitzimmons (Soccer) for Female Team Athlete of the Year.
For more on the Mariners and their quest for titles in basketball and volleyball, visit: http://mariners.viu.ca/
Tags: In the Community
