Durham College men’s basketball student-athlete Eric Smith has been named the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association’s 2010-2011 Male Athlete of the Year.

May 3, 2011

Durham College recently received great news on the men’s basketball front with the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) announcing that Durham College men’s basketball student-athlete Eric Smith has been named its 2010-2011 Male Athlete of the Year. He will be officially recognized at the organization’s Hall of Fame ceremony, which is being held on Wednesday, May 4 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Ont.

Smith, a third-year forward and Law and Security Administration student, had an incredible season on the court, averaging a double-double in 20 regular season games and leading the OCAA with 432 points and 206 total rebounds. He surpassed the 1,000-point plateau for his career and also scored at least 30 points in a game three times. Smith was also second in the OCAA with 94 completed free throws and sixth among all players with 56 assists.

“We are extremely proud of Eric and this major provincial recognition he has earned,” said Ken Babcock, athletic director of Durham College. “This is a very deserving award for an exceptional student-athlete. To be selected for this award out of student-athletes from 30 colleges and universities across Ontario is quite an honour.”

In addition to being named Male Athlete of the Year, Smith was also an OCAA first-team All-Star; the OCAA Athlete of the Week for the week of January 17 to 23; and a Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian.

Smith is the second men’s basketball student-athlete from Durham College to win this award with Bill Crowdis winning in 1999. Female student-athletes Katie Szeghalmi (soccer), Erin Smith (volleyball and fastball), Joanna Van Dyke (volleyball and fastball) and Marcy Skribe (basketball) have also been recognized in the past as the OCAA’s Female Athlete of the Year.

The Durham Lords men’s basketball team maintained a steady season, winning five of its last six games to finish the regular season with a record of 15-5. It finished in second place in the OCAA East division and had its first berth into the OCAA men’s basketball championship tournament in 12 years. It also acted as host of the 2010-2011 CCAA men’s basketball championship tournament, finishing as one of the country’s top eight teams.

For more information on men’s basketball and other varsity sports, please visit www.durhamlords.com.