Gayleard Honoured With Prestigious Tom Longboat Award
Rookie CMU outside hitter Cam Gayleard was recently announced as the recipient of a major national sports recognition. The Tom Longboat Award is given out annually to a male and female indigenous athlete, at both a regional and national level.
Gayleard, a rookie metis-athlete is in his first season with the Men's Volleyball team after graduating in 2019 from Manitoba's Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. Honoured to be recognized with a national award, the 6'1 left-side attacker shares the Tom Longboat spotlight with Lyric Atchison, a women's rugby player for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
The Tom Longboat Awards were established in 1951 to recognize aboriginal athletes for their outstanding contribution to sport in Canada. The two national award winners receive Tom Longboat Award rings and will have their names added to the Tom Longboat Award Trophy, displayed at Canada's Sport Hall of Fame in Calgary. Previous winners include former Canadian Men's Volleyball National Team star and current head coach of Calgary's SAIT Trojans, Dallas Soonias (2005) and recently retired NHL player Jordin Tootoo (2002).
Previous to CMU, Gayleard won a provincial boys 'AAAA' high school championship with the Selkirk Royals, was recognized as his team's MVP and served as team captain in his senior year.
"Cam is a tremendous addition to our team," said CMU head coach Don Dulder. "He is a technically sound player, comes from a top notch program in Selkirk, and has been taught very well. He is always one of the first players and practice all the time. He loves to play. Cam's a smart attacker who sees the block and floor very well. On top of that, he is an excellent passer who plays with confidence."
Gayleard and his teammates are in action this weekend, challenging Red River College in a home and away series in Week 2 of the MCAC Men's Volleyball regular season. The Blazers (2-0) enter action versus the Rebels (0-1) on Friday in the Loewen Athletic Centre with first serve scheduled for 6:00pm.
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