Concordia Stinger quarterback Scott Syvret has been named the outstanding player in the Quebec University Football League (QUFL). He will be among four finalists for the Hec Crighton Trophy presented annually to the outstanding university football player in Canada during Vanier Cup festivities in Hamilton in December.
In 26 years of conference play, Syvret is just the third Stinger and the second Concordia quarterback to be named MVP. Receiver Gerry Prud'homme (1981) and quarterback Ron Aboud (1990) are the previous Stinger honorees.
Syvret, a third-year Marketing major from Kirkland, Que., led Concordia to a 6-2 win-loss record in conference play and the No. 7 ranking in the nation. He completed 122 of 184 passes for 1488 yards in six games. He averaged 248 yards a game and posted an impressive efficiency rating of 142.4. He threw 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
It's a minor miracle that Syvret was able to compete at all this season. Last Oct. 24 versus the Montreal Carabins, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. At first glance, the doctors thought he would never throw again.
"It's a tough situation when any team loses a starting quarterback," says Concordia head coach Gerry McGrath. "Losing Scott devastated us."
Syvret persevered through surgery and months of rehabilitation. He missed winter workouts with Concordia but was ready to go when training camp opened in August. He was in fine form by the time the Stingers opened at McGill on Sept. 1. That night, he completed 71 per cent of his passes and threw for more than 300 yards.
"He is a very intelligent football player," says McGrath. "He's watched a lot of film this year. He sees coverage well and he reads it well."
Perhaps the most amazing quality associated with Syvret is that he's a winner. At every level he's played, he's been a dominant player and his team has won a championship. He quarterbacked John Abbott College to the CEGEP AA championship in 2002 and before that he led the Lakeshore Cougars to a provincial title in the Quebec midget AAA league. Along the way, he's also won just about every individual award possible.
