“This opportunity means a lot to me because it gives me a chance to develop even further and see how things happen in other countries,” Simpson said. “I already know this is going to be one of my best experiences with hockey…I never thought I’d be given the chance to be part of something as great as this.”

Simpson came to Carleton three years ago to play hockey, but was one of the last players to be released after tryouts. Not wanting her experience with the team to end, she stayed on as the equipment manager. After cracking the lineup the following season, she continued with that role.

Through her experience at Carleton, Simpson was asked to be an equipment manager at the U18 World Championship selection camp and a three-game series against Team USA last August. She was asked to help out a second time when the women’s senior team visited Carleton in March to prepare for the 2012 IIHF World Championship. The high performance camp will mark the third international camp she has been a part of in less than a year.

“All of these experiences have prepared me for the next step in the right direction of being an equipment manager through being able to work with and learn from the highest level athletes and well respected staff out there,” Simpson added.

“Great opportunities come to good people. [Simpson] was selected for this opportunity because she has the character to find the best in every situation and to do everything she can for her teammates,” said Ravens head coach Shelley Coolidge. “She is going to meet a number of high performance coaches, staff and athletes. She will have a chance to learn from and share with some of the best people in the women’s game. This will give her a valuable opportunity to give back to her teammates when she returns.”

The camp, which is part of a long-term project designed to improve the quality of women’s hockey worldwide, runs from July 15-22.

Hunt brings a wealth of experience to Carleton after working with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s for 11 years, five of which were spent as their director of ticket sales. She built the club’s ticket sales department, developing and executing sales and service strategies. In addition to growing the club’s digital assets, most recently she has been involved with the successful implementation of a Fan Relationship Management Centre as well as an intelligent direct email marketing solution.

A Carleton graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, Hunt also served as the vice-president of operations at Canway for three years.

“We are very pleased that Sheryl has accepted to join our team at Carleton Athletics,” said Jennifer Brenning, Carleton’s director of recreation and athletics. “Her experience with the 67’s will assist us in elevating the visibility of our programs in the community. She has a lot of ideas and energy and will bring a dynamic approach to marketing our properties.”

“Carleton University has become one of Canada’s top centres for athletics and I’m humbled to have the opportunity to join the team and contribute to the growth and success of the department, the facilities and the Ravens teams,” Hunt said.

Hunt’s extensive skill set as a proven leader, with experience in marketing and sales, is a welcome addition to the department. Starting May 28, she will oversee all aspects of Ravens marketing, including the recreational and varsity programs.

Whether they’re from Brampton, London or Ottawa, three sets of families always make it a priority to see their daughters in action on the Ravens basketball court.

Get the full story on the Ravens’ family support in the May issue of Carleton Now.

Chris Coulson joins the Ravens staff after 10 years of coaching with the Ottawa Gee-Gees, serving as their offensive coordinator for seven of those seasons.

A teacher at Brookfield High School in Ottawa, Coulson was the offensive coordinator for the East Ontario U17 team from 2006-09. Under his watch, the provincial squad earned a national championship in 2009.

Born in Belleville, Ont. and listing Thomasburg, Ont. as his hometown, the Acadia University graduate (1998 Kinesiology/Education) was an Axemen captain for two of his five seasons (1994-98), where he played on the offensive line.  Coulson also spent some time as a guest coach with the Ottawa Renegades and Buffalo Bills.

“Having someone of Chris’s knowledge and experience on the staff will compliment JP Asselin in building a first rate offence,” said Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah. “Chris is a well-known and respected coach in the CIS and having him come on board at such a key position, offensive line, is vital to the success of our program.”

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to join coach Sumarah and the Carleton Ravens football program,” said Coulson. “Through conversations with coach Sumarah and other members of the program, it is apparent that Carleton is creating a competitive environment that will allow for sustained success. Although it was not an easy decision to leave the uOttawa program that I’ve been a part of for over a decade, I’m very confident that I’ve made the best decision for my family and my coaching career.”

With kickoff set for 2013, this off-season is a critical time for recruiting and developing the players that have already committed to be part of the Ravens program.

The Ravens men’s hockey team has added some local talent to its lineup as Orleans, Ont. native Joey West of the OHL’s Peterborough Petes has committed to suit up for Carleton next season.

In his five seasons with the Petes, West set a franchise record, playing in 326 OHL games. During that time, the centre tallied 44 goals and 98 assists for 142 points. In his final year with the team, West put up career-best numbers, finishing with 18 goals and 37 assists in 68 games.

“I just came off my most productive season in the OHL, so hopefully that can carry over to next year,” he said. “I also take a lot of pride in my defensive game, so hopefully I can bring a combination of offence and defence to the team.”

“Joey is a player that we coveted from the beginning of last season,” said Ravens head coach Marty Johnston. “The intangibles that he possesses are very unique. His character, commitment and work ethic will help us in the seasons to come.”

West said he made the decision to come to Carleton because the hockey program is in good hands and is moving forward.

“I’ve heard great things about the program and I have a couple of friends on the team who spoke very highly of the school and the hockey,” said West. “I’ve heard only good things about Marty and I could tell when I met him that he was extremely passionate.”

With his leadership skills both on and off the ice, Petes general manager Dave Reid said the Ravens will be very fortunate to have West in the lineup.

“He brings a tireless work ethic and team first mentality to Carleton University; he holds himself accountable for his play and is the ultimate teammate and team player,” he said.

After losing seven graduating athletes last season, Johnston said West is a welcome addition who can help fill some gaps in the Ravens lineup.

“We are trying to bring leaders to Carleton and we have taken a big step with the addition of Joey West,” he said.

From a proud past comes a bright future. The Ravens football program had their first Old Crows dinner in 15 years, and did it in style on April 28 in Residence Commons.

Over 200 alumni, Carleton staff, recruits, community leaders and yes, Pedro the Panda, celebrated the return of Carleton football.

Team 1200’s John Rodenburg MCed the event, which included a message from Carleton president Dr. Roseann O’Reilly Runte, an introduction of recruits, a Q&A with coach Steve Sumarah, a historical video of Ravens football through the decades as well as a passionate video message from Ravens alumnus and CBC reporter Mark Lee.

Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah

President Roseann O’Reilly Runte

The West All-Star team was once again victorious over the East. Though it was the third year in a row that the West team took the title, never has the game been closer. At the end of regulation time, the scoreboard read 75-75 and it was only after five minutes of overtime that the West was able to edge the East 87-84.

Miah-Marie Langlois (Windsor, Ont.) of the Windsor Lancers and Queen’s Brittany Moore (Hannon, Ont.) were named OBA Players of the Game for West and East, respectively. Moore, whose OUA career finished on Saturday evening, was the top scorer of the night with 18 points.

Langlois posted 16 points for the West and shot 100 percent from both the free-throw line and beyond the arc (4-4, 2-2). The CIS Championship Tournament MVP also led all rebounders with eight boards.

Both rosters consisted of 2011-12 OUA all-stars, major award winners and members of all-rookie teams.

The day began with an awards brunch for the participating all-stars, followed by the OBA Mega Hoops Clinic for children ages 8-13. Later in the day, the All-Stars were paired with female athletes from the Under 13 Milton Stangs to compete in the Recharge with Milk 2-Ball competition.

The OUA All-Star game was held in conjunction with the 2012 U16 Major Midget OBA Provincial Championships, with games taking place in the Kitchener/Waterloo region all weekend.

Courtesy of OUA

The event honours female student-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports and fields of study. This year’s guest speaker will be dual-sport national athlete, Olympic gold medalist and OUA alumnus Heather Moyse.

Marshall played an integral role in her team’s success in 2010-11. She helped Carleton defend its provincial title as she backstopped the Ravens to a 9-7 victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues in the OUA championship game. After making a number of key saves throughout the tournament, Marshall was named the recipient of the Roy Gunnell Trophy as tournament MVP. She also got the nod as a member of the tournament all-star team.

Earlier in the season, she led the Ravens to a second-place finish at the Carleton Invitational and helped her team go a perfect 4-0 at the Queen’s Invitational. Her outstanding goaltending continued at the Ontario Water Polo Festival, where she faced 102 shots and only allowed 18 goals in five games as the Ravens finished with a 4-0-1 record.

After such an outstanding season, she was named the team MVP for the second consecutive year at Carleton’s annual awards banquet.

Not only did excel in her sport, but in the classroom as well. Majoring in Political Science, she balanced a rigorous school schedule with her varsity commitments and, as one of Carleton’s top student-athletes, she earned Academic All-Canadian status.

Marshall continued to impress between the pipes in 2011-12, leading the Ravens to an impressive 22-3-2 record against OUA and club teams in the exhibition season. She went on to help the Ravens finish the preliminary round of the OUA championships undefeated (4-0), but had to settle for a silver medal following a loss in the final against Toronto. To date, she has won two OUA gold medals and silver in her three years at Carleton.

The Department of Recreation and Athletics would like to congratulate Evelyn on her outstanding achievements.

What is your proudest academic achievement?
My proudest academic achievement was in my first year at Carleton, in my Global Political Issues class. After excelling in high school I initially found it difficult to adjust to university’s high standards and the competition with so many bright and experienced students. By second semester I had learned how much extra work and commitment was required to really do well. For my final paper in my Global Political Issues class I researched and revised my work for weeks, and in the end I was rewarded with the highest mark on the paper in the class. I’ve had other proud moments since, but that one sticks out as my first truly fulfilling and rewarding moment at Carleton University.

What is your proudest athletic achievement?
My proudest athletic achievement was during the OUA Championships during my second year, in 2010. We beat the University of Toronto in a hard-fought battle to win the gold medal, and I was also named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. That year I felt that our team was so connected and worked so hard to work towards our collective goal, and it was amazing that our hours of practice and training really paid off.

What is your most memorable community related moment?
My most memorable community related moment was during the summer of 2010 after my first year of university, when I worked at a family homeless shelter as a child and youth worker. Every Friday at the shelter we would organize a “community kitchen” afternoon, where we would provide ingredients for the mothers, fathers, or older siblings of families at the shelter to make a big meal for their family. At the shelter most of the families had recently arrived in Canada and were still adjusting to the difficulties of coming to a new country with a different way of life. I had some inspiring and unforgettable conversations with many of the women during those Friday afternoon cooking sessions. I learnt about so many of their struggles and experiences, and it was an exceptionally invaluable learning experience.

What woman has most influenced you, and why?
The woman that has influenced me the most is undoubtedly my mother, Jennifer Marshall. I know that it’s such a cliché and evident response, but she is the strongest woman I know and I cannot think of anyone who has so greatly influenced me more. She gave up her career as a nurse to look after me, my disabled and epileptic older sister, and my two adopted younger brothers full-time. Now that we’re older she works as an educational assistant for students with learning disabilities in an elementary school in an underprivileged neighbourhood. This year my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which was very scary and hard for her and my whole family, yet she has remained so strong and optimistic this whole time. My mother has taught me many things. She has taught me how to live healthily and happily, how to be compassionate and endlessly generous, and how to follow my dreams and persevere. But most importantly, my mother has taught me to remain strong no matter what life throws at you, and for that I am eternally grateful.

What are your future plans?
Despite obsessively thinking about it every day, I have yet to decide exactly what my future plans are. I know that I love learning what I’m learning about, and I have no intention of stopping that anytime soon. I also know that I love traveling and learning through my interactions and exposures to different places and cultures. I have toyed with the idea of teaching one day, because I think it would be amazing to potentially influence children or youth in the way that so many of my past teachers have shaped and influenced me. For now, I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can from my education, my sport, and my life experience, and hopefully a career direction will manifest from this.

Previously, Asselin was the head coach of the Ottawa Gee-Gees for the 2010 and 2011 seasons and their assistant offensive co-ordinator from 2008 to 2009. During that time, he boasted an overall regular season record of 12-4 and made the Yates Cup in 2010.

“I am extremely excited that our program was able to attract a coach of JP’s ability and knowledge,” said Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah. “He knows what it is like to be a leader of a winning program, and to do that in Ottawa is fantastic.”

“JP is a proven recruiter, not only in the Ottawa area, but also across Canada,” Sumarah added. “His addition, along with the beginning of construction of a brand new locker-room and the exciting new stadium upgrades, are key facets in building the program.”

“I am very excited to be part of such a promising football program and I am looking forward to working with coach Sumarah,” Asselin said.

Carleton will also host a kickoff dinner on campus on April 28.

Coaching Experience:
2010-2012: Head Coach, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
Finished 1st in OUA with a 7-1 record in 2010
Finished 4th in OUA with a 5-3 record in 2011
2008-2009: Full-Time Assistant Coach, Co Offensive Co-ordinator, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
2007: Receivers Coach, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
Support the Head Coach in recruiting offensive players

After winning the four-race men’s K1 kayak Olympic trials in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 13, second-year Carleton University political science major, Michael Tayler, was selected by CanoeKayak Canada to represent his country at the 2012 Olympic Games.

The selection was based on the competitors’ best three out of four rankings, with the fastest time on the fourth run counting as a tie breaker. After the third race, five athletes were in a position to take first by winning the final run.

At just 20 years old, Tayler turned heads by ranking as the top Canadian in the opening round. He pulled through with a victory on the last run, winning by a narrow margin of 0.11 seconds.

The national team trials took place over two days and were also used to select Senior A and B teams for World Cups in Europe in June.

Tayler will now attend a training session on the Olympic course in Hertfordshire, England from April 23 – May 5.  He will also compete in his first two World Cup competitions in Pau, France, June 15-17, and Seu d’Urgell, Spain, June 22-24.