Career Awards

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS 

Rookie & Officials' Awards

The Canadian Basketball Official's Commission (CBOC), formerly CABO, was created in November 2015 to help strengthen the alignment in Canadian basketball. 

Nationally there are three Major awards which can be given:

 

TED EARLEY MEMORIAL AWARD	JOHN A. (WINK) WILLOX AWARD	CABO EXECUTIVE AWARD OF MERIT
MMBRA Winners John McDonaugh (1989) Harry Huss (1997) Mike Homsy (2011)	MMBRA Winners Pierre Marion (1994) Tony Payne (2012) Alfie Paoletti (2015) Varouj Gurunlian (2018)	MMBRA Winners Harry Huss (1987)
A maximum of one nominee may receive the Ted Earley Award in any given year.  The criteria, which have been established for CABO’s highest award, include: Nominee is recognized as a superior floor official; Nominee will have a significant number of years of service as an active official with national and international exposure; Nominee will have performed varied forms of service to the basketball community, both provincially and nationally; Nominee will have served in administrative and leadership roles, both provincially and nationally; Nominee will have contributed in both interpretive and educational capacities.	In any given year, there may be only one candidate selected for a Willox Award from each province.  Criteria, which have been established for the Willox Award, are as follows:  Good floor official by local standard; Significant length of service to the basketball community; Various forms of service to basketball organizations; Contributions to basketball in an administrative role.	In any given year this award may be presented by the CABO Executive to an individual who has made a significant contribution to CABO.​ Not necessarily awarded annually; Could have more than one recipient any given year.

 

Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Awards

 

Chris Hunter, 2015 MMBRA Official 🏀 Chris Hunter, the architect of one of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s greatest dynasties, has taken his well-deserved place in the CCAA Hall of Fame. The former John Abbott College women’s basketball bench boss entered the Hall of Fame in the Coach Category.   Hunter guided the Islanders to nine provincial titles and six National Championships in 10 seasons at John Abbott. The Islanders made seven consecutive appearances at Nationals from 1978 to 1984, winning five gold and two silver medals during an incredible stretch where they went 22-2.   Hunter led John Abbott to a 6th National Championship in 1987.   “Chris’ knowledge of the sport of basketball combined with his attributes as a highly skilled technical coach on the practice court and remarkable game tactician, as well as mentor for the student-athletes,” said Steve Shaw, Chairman of the Sports & Recreation Department. “He laid the foundation for the long-term success of John Abbott women’s basketball.”   One of Hunter’s greatest memories of the CCAA is his first National Championship, which came only two years after Montréal hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics.   “It was an exciting time in Montréal and to compete in the first-class Olympic Velodrome facility for the first ever CCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship in 1978 was certainly a highlight,” said Hunter.   That spring, the Fédération des associations sportives collégiales du Québec (FASCQ) hosted all four National Championships simultaneously over the course of the week in and around Montréal, including men’s and women’s basketball.   “It was sweet watching our players raising that long Women’s Basketball trophy for the first time,” said Hunter.   Following his success at John Abbott, he was hired as the head coach of McGill University’s women’s basketball team in 1987. After Hunter’s departure, the Islanders went on to win national titles in 1988, 1993, 1996 and 1997.   “Through his career at John Abbott, Chris’ reputation as an outstanding coach brought players to the College from across the province,” said Shaw. The CCAA recognized the institution’s remarkable achievement when John Abbott received the award for Women’s Basketball Supremacy through the first 25 years of the CCAA.   And Hunter was there when it all began. He recalls being in the gym at John Abbott College when Cariboo College (now Thompson Rivers University) played an unofficial championship game as a step toward establishing a women’s basketball championship tournament.   “I have a long history of involvement with the CCAA,” said Hunter. “I was fortunate to be involved in an athletic department that greatly valued being a part of the CCAA.”   Former John Abbott College athletic directors George Wall and Glenn Ruiter were heavily involved with the Association; Wall was an early secretary, while Ruiter served as the CCAA President. And recently, Shaw as well as Hunter’s wife Linda Macpherson were CCAA National Men’s and Women’s Basketball Convenors, respectively.   Hunter was the first recipient of the CCAA Coaching Excellence Award for Women’s Basketball in 1984. He also coached Québec’s senior women’s team on several occasions.

Varouj Gurunlian, 2018 MMBRA Official 🏀   Varouj Gurunlian, who played in the first two Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association BasketballChampionships, will be inducted into the CCAA Hall of Fame in the Athlete Category. Gurunlian led the Dawson Blues to a bronze medal at the inaugural CCAA event, hosted by Mount Royal College in Calgary, AB, in 1975. The following season, he and the Blues were crowned National Champions. “Varouj was described as a player with natural born talent who worked hard to improve every aspect of his game,” said Dan Boyer, Coordinator of Student Services & Athletics at Dawson College. “Varouj continues to be active in basketball and is a well-respected basketball referee within Quebec and nationally.” The 1976 CCAA National Championship victory at St. Clair College in Windsor, ON, was the highlight of his playing days with the Blues. “This was an incredible finish to my playing career in the CCAA because we had reached the pinnacle of success as a team after working so hard all year,” said Gurunlian, who was named a first-team All-Star and National Championship most valuable player. He was also named a CCAA All-Canadian in 1976, the first student-athlete from Dawson to receive the honour. “While the awards were great, it was the championship as a team that meant a whole lot more,” he said. After graduating from Dawson, Gurunlian went on to play at Laurentian University and St. Xavier University. He also represented Canada on the national team. “The CCAA is what helped me get started, recognized and recruited by our National team, where I spent nine years proudly representing our country around the world.” Gurunlian returned to the Blues a decade later to coach the men’s basketball team for three seasons. He guided his squad to three straight provincial championships and consecutive appearances at CCAA Nationals. As a head coach, he would earn three more CCAA medals: Bronze in 1986, silver in 1987 and gold in 1988. The 1988 CCAA National Championship victory in Truro, Nova Scotia is among his most cherished memories. “I was sincerely elated for my players because their faces were priceless, and I couldn't be happier for them,” said Gurunlian. His fondest memories of his time at Dawson and in the CCAA are the friendships he made and the opportunity to travel across Canada and complete against the top collegiate players. A memorable midnight practice at the Dawson gym is also at the top of his list. Perhaps most significant, his time in the CCAA is where Gurunlian learned to be a team player, thanks in large part to illustrious head coach Richie Spears. “This is where we all learned real life skills that go way beyond the basketball court and to this day, I use all the people skills that we have all acquired throughout our careers and that helps me in my present work and life,” said Gurunlian. “Moreover, I am able to pass on this experience and knowledge to the younger generation of today – hoping that they will become successful and better people all around.”

 

Rookie & Officials' Awards