Ontario University Athletics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 22, 2008

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE STUDENT-ATHLETE BIOS -SIXTH EDITION

HAMILTON, Ont. -Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased recognize the top female scholar-athletes from across the province, which will take place at the fifth annual Women of Influence Luncheon on Wednesday January 23, 2008 from 12 noon to 2:00 pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building). The event honours female student-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports and fields of study. The OUA will profile three athletes from 19 member institutions bi-weekly leading up to the event.

This year’s guest speaker will be Canadian LPGA golfer and recipient of the Order of Canada, Lorie Kane. Join us on January 23, 2008 to hear about Lorie’s journey to becoming a professional golfer. Hear her advice and tales from her own experiences that might help guide and inspire others to achieve their goals, and reach their dreams.

Trent University
Name: Julie Brown
Sport: Rugby
Program: Business & Administration
Hometown: Peterborough, ON

In her two years at Trent, Julie Brown has made in impact both in the classroom and on the rugby pitch.  Transferring to Trent after a year at ST. Francis Xavier, Julie dove into life at Trent and flourished in the Business Administration program.  This year, Julie was a CIS Academic All-Canadian in recognition of ! her honours status in the program.  Julie, who will be captain of the Trent women’s rugby team in 2008, was selected as an OUA All-Star in recognition of her outstanding play this season.

Rather than find a summer job two years ago, Julie started her own cleaning company, which has now expanded to a year-round business, cleaning houses and maintaining cottages.

University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Name: Chrissy Tereshyn
Sport: Hockey
Program: Criminology, Justice & Policy Studies
Hometown: Scarborough, ON

Chrissy has proven in the past and especially over the last two years attending UOIT that she is a young woman who demonstrates tremendous leadership ability on and off the ice.  She came to UOIT as an honours student and took on an immediate leadership role with the development of the women’s varsityhockey program.  She brings a wealth of experience to the team as she joined the Ridgebacks after playing nine seasons with the Durham-West Lightning of the OWHA, highlighted when she scored the game winning goal at the Ontario Provincial Championships.  Ridgebacks head coach Gary Pitcher acknowledged her leadership ability as she was named an assistant captain prior to the team’s inaugural season.  While playing a major role on the hockey team, Chrissy has also made her studies a priority as she has maintained a 3.7 GPA in a very challenging program.  She has also received a number of academic awards from the University

The University of Western Ontario
Name: Jessica Fitzgerald
Sport: Wrestling
Program: Medical Science
Hometown: Bancroft, ON

Jessica is a testament to the outstanding leadership and dedication student-athletes give in the community.  She has gone above and beyond, excelling in the classroom, on the mat and in the community.  Jessica is a three time CIS Academic All-Canadian and is presently in the pharmacy program at The University of Toronto.  She has volunteered her time with events such as the Run for Retina, London Hospice Run, Lick a Lolly Relay for Life, Save a Life for the Kidney Foundation as well as with her church and McCormick House.  Jessica was involved in organizing a First Nations Wrestling Clinic for 30 grade seven and eight students as well as coaching with the London-Western Wrestl! ing Club and a local house league hockey team.  She is a true leader who inspires and motivates those around her and is the epitome of what an OUA/CIS student athlete is all about.

York University
Name: Nicole Burling
Sport: Soccer
Program: Kinesiology & Health Science
Hometown: North York, ON

Helping the Lions advance to three consecutive CIS National Championship tournaments, including this past year when she scored York’s only goal in a championship game loss against the host Cape Breton Capers, Burling was named a tournament all-star.

Away from the field, Burling is an outstanding student and a determined volunteer and instructor.  Burling has been named a CIS Academic All-Canadian for the past three years and also received the Stuart G. Robbins Award for highest GPA amongst varsity athletes at York in 2005, 2006, 2007. Burling works in the Tait McKenzie Fitness Centre at York, where she does personal tra! ining and leads classes in circuit training and yoga.  She also works in the interuniversity strength and conditioning centre.  Burling is a leader in the Kinesiology & Health Science student organization and is a member of the academic council for the school.  In 2006-07 she helped organize the Canadian Kinesiology Games with over 1200 participants from across Canada.  Away from York, Burling has coached youth and high school soccer teams, while running her own lawn care and maintenance business.

Date: Wednesday January 23, 2008 12:00-2:00pm
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building
Tickets: $80 per ticket.
To purchase a ticket, please contact Lisa Constanzo at 416.923.1688 x23 or lconstanzo@powerpointgroup.com

The OUA would like to recognize the following sponsors for their support of this event; Investors Group, belairdirect., Centaur Products, Wilson Sports Equipment of Canada, Pioneer Petroleums, and Canadian Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity.

 -OUA-

 Michelle Church
Communications and Media Relations
Ontario University Athletics
Tel: (905) 540-5156
Fax: (905) 574-2840

Email: michelle.church@oua.ca
Web: www.oua.ca