Jayvon Mitchum, Sports Reporter
Wayne Wilkins coached his men’s volleyball team to an 18-0 record in the 2019-20 season, winning the division title and locking up first place in the Western Conference.
Those feats were noticed by the Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association, which awarded him with the 2020 Coach of the Year award Feb. 26 at the league’s annual banquet. And the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association also noticed, awarding him with its Coach of the Year award, his second since 2005.
The men’s volleyball team garnered silver at the CCAA tournament in Frederick, N.B., on March 14, losing to Capilano College Blues 3-0.
Wilkins appreciates the awards and said he is “flattered” about being recognized for what he has done.
“It’s an honour,” he said. But he emphasized it was not a one-person job.
“I don’t collect on that award alone,” Wilkins said. “I think our entire staff is representative of that award, but it feels good.”
This is his third OCAA Coach of the Year award, with his first being 15 years ago in 2005.
In his 25th season as head coach, Wilkins led his teams to a record of 371 wins and 124 losses, collecting five division honours and accolades throughout his career.
Assistant coach and friend Mack Robertson believe that Wilkins winning the award was a “long time coming.”
“He’s put together great teams over and over again, and I believe the recognition there was deserved. He should’ve gotten more, but that’s how it goes.”
Assistant coach and friend Hank Ma also spoke on Wilkins’s accomplishment.
“Him being recognized for the contribution that he’s put forth for volleyball, especially within Humber, is a great honour and it does a lot for the school at the same time”, he said. “He does a lot for the sport, he does a lot for the school, so for the OCAA to see that is a great honour. I’m happy for him.”
