(L to R) James Duerksen, Tyson Koop, Taylor McGillivray, Devon Borody
For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 12, 2020
Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Volleyball Scholarship 2019-2020 Recipients
The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and Volleyball Manitoba are pleased to announce the 2018-2019 recipients of the Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Volleyball Scholarships. These $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually in memory of Selkirk, Manitoba volleyball player Dr. Dale Iwanoczko.
Dale began his volleyball career playing for Lord Selkirk Regional High School and the University of Manitoba Bisons where he was named a five-time All-Canadian. He was selected as the CIS/CIAU Most Valuable Player in 1990 and led the Bisons to the national championship title in 1991. He also played on Manitoba’s Provincial and Canada Games Teams. Dale was selected as Valedictorian, Governor General Award winner, and Athlete of the Year at Lord Selkirk Regional Secondary School (Gr 11 & 12). He obtained his medical degree from the University of Manitoba, and sadly passed away at the age of 30, after succumbing to Hodgkin’s disease, a battle he had fought valiantly for 14 months. Several of Dale’s close friends have organized an annual golf tournament to raise funds for this scholarship which is named in his honour and memory.
To be eligible for this scholarship a student must be proceeding to a post-secondary institution and have a minimum 75% academic average. The individual must have proficiency in volleyball, while academic standing, and involvement in their school and community are also considered.
This year four student athletes have been selected:
Taylor McGillivray of Dakota Collegiate – was a member of the Lancers Championship team in the 2019 Boston Pizza AAAA Volleyball Provincial Championships and is the assistant manager of the school’s varsity boys basketball team. She was ranked 5th in the Winnipeg Sun’s top ten list of volleyball players and was selected to the All Manitoba team and named Graduating female volleyball player of the year. Taylor was an All-Star at the St. Vital Invitational as well as an SCAC All Star. She has volunteered at St. Amant Centre, at JV and varsity volleyball tournaments, as well as the Manitoba Marathon. Taylor maintains an academic average of 89% and plans on attending the University of Winnipeg to play volleyball and to take courses to pursue a career in the arts or sciences.
Devon Borody of Portage Collegiate Institute – holds an academic average of 97.5%. She will be attending the University of British Columbia to pursue a career in modern medical research. Devon was named to the Graduating All-Star team, All Manitoba team, the Volleyball Manitoba 18U team, and she will be participating in the 2020 North American Indigenous Games. She is a member of his school’s basketball team as well as a member of the concert and jazz bands. Devon is also a member of the school’s Social Justice Group and helps to put on annual fundraisers and she volunteers at the middle school and Prairie Fire Volleyball Club.
James Duerksen of St. Paul’s High School (Winnipeg) – will be attending Mount Royal University in Calgary and plans on going to Medical School after achieving a Bachelors’ degree in Science with a major in Biology. James maintains an academic average of 94.2%. He is part of the 2019 Canadian Youth National Volleyball Team, captain of his school’s volleyball team and was named a WWAC All-Star. James volunteers at his local church as a videographer and volunteered at the Red Rock Bible Camp this past summer as a counsellor and maintenance worker. He is part of the Maroon and White Society, a group of grade 12 students chosen by the faculty, to take initiative in the community and to raise money and support charities as well as volunteer time at school events. He was also a volunteer at a personal care home where he helped recreation staff, interacted with residents, and helped organize games and activities throughout the day.
Tyson Koop of Steinbach Regional Secondary School – maintains an academic average of 94.2% and is looking to pursue a career in the medical field. He was named a Provincial All-Star and played in the Final Four of the 2019 Boston Pizza AAAA Provincial Volleyball Championships. He was also named a Player of the Game and League All-Star in his League Championships. Along with volleyball, Tyson also is involved in the Southeastern Manitoba music festival as a pianist and vocalist. He leads a junior youth group at his church, and he was a counsellor at the Red Rock Bible Camp. Tyson is a math and science tutor and volunteers at the local hospital. He is involved in the game club, trivia team, grade wars, and he is sponsoring a child through Compassion Canada. He would like to continue to play volleyball at the highest level he can reach.
The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and Volleyball Manitoba work in co-operation to support the academic and athletic endeavors of Manitoba High School student athletes.
Dr. Dale Iwanoczko