Major award haul for Vincent Massey student-athlete

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This article was published 07/12/2011 (5389 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Travis Irvine began his high school football career as an original member of the Vincent Massey Trojans, and he ended it with a pair of prestigious awards.

The Grade 12 student from Whyte Ridge — who coach Kelsey McKay deployed at quarterback, receiver, defensive back and on special teams — was named this year’s recipient of the Harry Hood Memorial Trophy and the Jim Foubister Award. The former recognizes a player who shows a commitment to football, academics and community service, while the latter is awarded by Winnipeg High School Football League officials to a player who demonstrates a high level of play as well as good sportsmanship.

“I was stunned,” Irvine said of his reaction at the league’s annual awards banquet. “It seemed surreal at the moment. It’s nice to be recognized for my overall citizenship.”

The former Fort Garry Lion said he was proud to play a part in a Vincent Massey program that went from the AA Vidruk Division in 2009 to the semifinals of the AAA Potter Division the last two years.

“It was kind of unreal to be part of the first group ever,” the 17-year-old said. “We’ve made great strides. We’ve come really far.”

On the field, McKay considers Irvine to be almost like another coach. His grasp of the games X’s and O’s, and his natural leadership skills made him a key member of the Trojans.

“In 22 years of coaching, I can honestly say I haven’t respected or admired any player or student more than I have him,” McKay said. “He’s a great leader, keeping up the tempo in practice, being encouraging to teammates… he’s as quality a person as there is.”

When he isn’t playing football or maintaining an academic average in the mid-90s, Irvine is an active member of the school community and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

He’s on the school’s grad committee, volunteered to read books to elementary school students, and is one of about 30 students taking a yearlong course during the noon hour which culminates with a Canadian history tour of Europe.

At the church, Irvine teaches Sunday school and volunteers for many fundraisers.

“It’s a big part of who I am,” he said. “It’s nice to get to know the kids and to know you’re making a difference for them.”

Irvine said lessons he’s learned as a football player have helped him with his work in the community.

“There’s times when you just want to give up or quit,” he said. “But football has taught me that if you keep working things are bound to change and will turn out alright in the end.”

McKay can see Irvine easily transitioning into coaching at some point. But Irvine is waiting to see how he handles the workload in the University of Manitoba’s faculty of engineering before he decides what the next step will be in his football career.

Other major award winners were Grant Park’s Jordan Birrell, who received the John Potter/D’arcy Bain Sport Physiotherapy Bursary, and Blake Everett of Kildonan East, the recipient of the Arnie Taylor Memorial Volunteer Award.

avi.saper@canstarnews.com