Grassick, Elgersma Named U Sports Athletes of the Year

Updated June 3, 2025
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Basketball star Gage Grassick and quarterback Taylor Elgersma have been awarded the⁣ 2024-25 U Sports Athletes of the‍ Year. the announcement ⁣of the⁣ Lois and Doug⁣ Mitchell Award winners occurred at Monday’s U Sports awards program.

Grassick, hailing from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, secured the Lois Mitchell award after spearheading the Huskies to a national championship. She averaged ⁢20.7 points ‍per game‌ and earned MVP⁣ honors at⁤ the U Sports Final 8 tournament, highlighted by ⁤a 35-point‌ performance in Saskatchewan’s 85-66 victory over ⁤Carleton.

Elgersma, from Waterloo, Ontario, received the Doug Mitchell Award after leading U Sports ‍in passing yards (3,554), passing​ yards per game ‍(323.1), and⁤ passing touchdowns (28). He guided‌ Laurier ‌to the Vanier Cup final, earning⁤ MVP at the Yates cup and⁣ offensive​ MVP of the Uteck Bowl conference‍ championship.

Other female finalists included Alliyah Rowe​ (soccer, Cape Breton), Marie-Frédérique Poulin (runner, laval), and Favour Okpali (runner, Western). Male nominees were DJ Jackson (basketball, St. Francis Xavier), Philippe Morneau-Cartier (runner, Laval), and Nate​ Petrone (basketball, Calgary).

“We are so proud of the eight nominees this ⁤year. They are exceptional student-athletes and citizens,” said lois Mitchell,chair of the Canadian Athletic Foundation Board of Trustees. “Gage ‍and⁤ Taylor had outstanding⁢ seasons,⁣ demonstrating their adaptability to any condition they have faced on the field of competition and in the‌ classroom. They are excellent recipients of the Lois ‍and Doug Mitchell Awards.”

Elgersma was drafted⁤ by the Winnipeg Blue⁤ Bombers and later signed with the Green Bay‍ Packers ​as an undrafted free agent.He aims to secure a spot on the Packers’ roster.

⁢ ‍ “The ‍way I’m going to do it, I’m hoping, is to focus on developing, ⁢focus on learning from these coaches, and‌ getting better every single day,”⁤ Elgersma said. “I want to put myself in position to⁣ have a long career not only hear (in Green Bay) or on the other side of‍ the border,or wherever I end up landing.Right ⁤now I’m signed⁣ in Green Bay and my goal is to make this team and stick around here⁢ as long as ⁤I possibly can. I’m trying to‍ be very process-oriented right now.”
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Elgersma credits his work ethic and determination ⁢for his success. He also mentioned ‌that he’d like to⁣ model his game​ after ⁣L.A. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, admiring his toughness​ and leadership.

“I love the‌ way he plays with an edge and toughness, and he leads his ⁤guys tremendously.He also throws the ball at an extremely high level. Those are all qualities I’d love to have and work toward,”‌ Elgersma said.

Grassick‍ hopes to play in the WNBA and represent‍ Canada at the Olympics. She believes women’s sports are gaining ‌momentum.

“You can be a woman and a great athlete, and you can be from⁤ Canada and play ‌pro basketball with the best of them. All it takes is heart and hard work. The women’s game,‍ thanks to the WNBA and U Sports is getting better all the time, and much more popular. Canada West, in​ particular, is‍ loaded with talent,” Grassick said.
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Grassick will spend another year at the university of Saskatchewan, focusing on basketball and pharmacy studies, before pursuing⁢ a professional career.

What’s next

Elgersma will continue to​ compete for a roster spot with the Green Bay Packers, while Grassick will complete her studies ‍and ⁤prepare for ⁣a potential ⁤career in professional basketball, aiming for the WNBA and Olympic opportunities.