The Concordia Department of Recreation and Athletics is pleased to announce Madeleine McKenzie of the women's soccer team and Chase Harwell of the men's hockey team are the recipients of awards recognizing their exceptional leadership, community service and athletic contributions.
The department is announcing its major award recipients online this year. The 2020 Stingers Athletic Awards Gala was originally scheduled for April 2 before being cancelled because of COVID-19.
McKenzie is the recipient of the Denise Beaudet Award. This award is presented annually to the female athlete who has shown the same traits that were valued by Denise Beaudet, a player with the women's hockey team who died tragically in a car accident in 1985. Some of the characteristics that go with this award are: leadership, community service and strong academics.
An exceptional woman, the Calgary native is an ambassador for Concordia University on and off the field. The fourth-year defender is an accomplished Biology student who has reached U Sports academic all-Canadian status. She is also the president of Biology Students Association.
She is a strong leader for the women’s soccer program, serving as one of its co-captains. While focused on her defensive role, she scored a total five goals in the outdoor and indoor seasons.
McKenzie volunteers in the Montreal Children’s Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit Bridge Program and with Big Brothers and Sisters of Montreal.
Harwell is the recipient of the Ron Lapointe Award presented annually to the male athlete who best demonstrates loyalty to both his team and the Department of Recreation and Athletics. Leadership, community service and commitment to academic excellence are also criteria for this award. It is named for the late Ron Lapointe, a former Sir George Williams hockey player who went on to an exceptional coaching career in junior hockey and the NHL.
A second-year forward, this assistant team captain has been a great leader on the ice and earns praise from his contributions away from the rink. He is dedicated to his studies in the Human Relations program and commits a lot of time to its activities.
Harwell, who is originally from Southbury, Conn., steps up to help at every opportunity. He volunteered at the Exceptional Ride for Exceptional Kids event at the Shriners Hospital Canada. Along with his teammates, he contributes to the annual Bell Let’s Talk men’s hockey game. This year he also served as a spokesperson to help remind Concordia students of the importance of completing the mandatory sexual violence awareness and prevention training.
In 23 regular season games, the talented right wing was instrumental in keeping top scorers from opposing teams in check. He also collected five goals and six assists for 11 points.
