In recognition of outstanding varsity student-athletes and their commitment to varsity athletics, academics and the community, the Department of Athletics & Recreation at Trent Univeristy has launched the Boston Pizza Athlete of the Month program.

Each month, a male and female winner will be selected from one of Trent’s 21 varsity teams and presented with a $25 gift card courtesy of Boston Pizza Peterborough. The inaugural Athlete of the Month winners for September are Excalibur rugby players Steve LeBrun and Britt Douglas.

September’s male Boston Pizza Athlete of the Month, Steve LeBrun from Ottawa, Ont., has been a regular starter for the Trent Excalibur men’s rugby squad throughout their current undefeated season. Mr. LeBrun plays lock and is in his fourth and final year at Trent studying Archaeology. This move into the second row came after he had three excellent years at number eight. While now not in a position that generally gets a lot of attention, he has consistently been the best player on the field through all games and has been singled out by opposition coaches as such.

“Steve brings a massive work rate and outstanding mobility around the field, contributing both as a ball carrier and support player at the breakdown,” said Dave McCully, coach of the Excalibur men’s rugby team. “At the lineout, Steve must be considered amongst the best jumpers in the league as he routinely secures his own ball and consistently applies pressure to the opposition, including making a number of lineout steals. Defensively, Steve is a presence both around the breakdown and much wider.”

September’s female Boston Pizza athlete of the month, Britt Douglas from Port Hope, Ont., is known as a leader who has a high work rate on the field and leads by example and does not shy away from the physicality of a game of rugby.

“Britt is one of the hardest working players on the pitch both on offence and the defence side of the ball,” said Nancy Marcotte, coach of the Excalibur women’s rugby team. “Britt has an incredible depth of knowledge of the game of rugby and is an inspiration to the athletes around her as well as a role model.”

For more information about Trent’s varsity program, visit www.trentvarsity.ca