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Best of Niagara College at the N22 Canada Summer Games

History was made in Niagara this August, and Niagara College was thrilled to be part of the inspiring sports and culture legacy of the Canada Summer Games.

 

NCSAC President Sam Jemison, NC President Sean Kennedy, and program coordinator of the BRTF program, Dutch Vandenberg.

NC’s mobile broadcasting units could be seen across Niagara as the Broadcasting, Radio, Television and Film Production crew captured over 1,000 hours of live coverage, living up to their role as the Experiential and Digital Production partner of the N22 Games.

Photos by Ravi Joshi.

The Niagara College Executive Team had the great honour of awarding medals to Canada’s top athletes.

President Sean Kennedy was joined by Director, Athletics and Student Engagement, Michele O’Keefe to award Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for men’s and women’s basketball.

Photos by Mackenzie Gerry.

O’Keefe also awarded a medal at the Triathlon sprint in week one of the Games and accepted a Hall of Honour award on behalf of Canadian basketball legend Steve Nash during an August 5 celebration.

President Kennedy sported a hand-beaded lanyard at the ceremony which was gifted by NC’s Indigenous Education team and crafted by Kathy Smoke, a Clan mother from Six Nations.

Photos by Ryan McCullough.

Vice-President Student Affairs Rick Anderson joined President Kennedy to present the Bronze medal at Men’s Box Lacrosse. Lacrosse returned to the Canada Games for the first time since 1985, marking another historic milestone for Niagara.

Photos by Ryan McCullough.

Senior Vice President, College Operations Pam Skinner awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the team overall at Golf.

The Canada Games medals have a special NC connection, designed by local alumnus Shaun O’Melia (Graphic Design, 2014).

two females wearing Canada Summer Games blue jackets stand in the NC Athletic Therapy Room

On the home front, NC hosted teams from across Canada at the Welland Campus for basketball and volleyball – coordinated by NC’s Athletics and Recreation – supported athletes, and gave officials and medics a taste of NC hospitality during their time on-campus staying in Residence and dining at The Core and The Armoury.

three students set up food for a catered event
a group of people prepare food in a commercial kitchen

Indigenous Education helped to deliver a unique cross-cultural experience, sharing the history and culture of the Six Nations people as part of NC’s co-sponsorship of Indigenous programming.

3 women wearing ribbon skirts

 

Indigenous Education associate director Leah Hogan, centre, and Indigenous student success leaders Aria D’Alimonte, left, and Deane McGean model the ribbon skirts they wore at the Games. The skirts were made by local Indigenous artisan Kim Schutt.

Hundreds of NC students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteered and interned, bringing the welcoming, passionate and trailblazing spirit of NC to many facets of the Games.

NC coaches were involved in many ways, from coaching to recruiting future Knights athletes, and a former NC coach returned to the Welland Campus as an assistant coach with Team Ontario’s women’s volleyball team.

Giacomo Folinazzo, Professor in the School of English Language, performed with his band Crescendo at Niagara Place on August 8. Folinazzo is the producer and lead singer of the band, joined by father-son duo Allan and Dave Colavecchia on drums and bass, Freddy Gabrsek on guitar, and Larry Swiercz on keyboard. Crescendo is a rock opera band who plays cover songs from the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s. Folinazzo also penned an original song called “In Love with Niagara Falls.” In 2021, Crescendo played at the PAC for the Niagara bid for the Canada Games.

Canada Games Golf programming was a hole-in-one thanks in part to NC professor Stephen Carroll who served as Venue Lead for Canada Games golf events. Together with First Tee Ontario, a youth engagement program offered through Golf Canada, Carroll supported community organizers in their efforts to empower kids and teens through the game of golf.

Nineteen-year-old competitive swimmer Emily Skulj-Thompson of Thorold competed at the Canada Games, and will begin her studies at NC in the Fall 2022 Term.

The NC brand was on display at Canada Games Park, with NC’s recruitment team on-site, and hospitality, beverage and culinary expertise in the VIP Lounge.

A one-of-a-kind commemorative NC pin was worn proudly on lanyards.

Members of the Indigenous Education team were present at the Games to support Indigenous players and their families.

August 21 marked the closing of the two-week celebration of excellence in sport and culture in Canada. Team Ontario emerged victorious, leading the provinces and territories with 86 Gold, 60 Silver and 52 Bronze medals.

Prince Edward Island will host the 2023 Canada Winter Games in February.

Click here to see our full coverage of NC at the Canada Games.