Courtesy: Richard WhittakerOTTAWA (CIS) - Windsor Star sports reporter Mary Caton was honoured by Canadian Interuniversity Sport on Wednesday night with the Fred Sgambati Media Award in Ottawa.
The awards reception was held at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel as part of CIS' annual general meeting.
Caton received the Fred Sgambati Media Award, presented annually to a member of media in recognition of his/her major contribution to the development and growth of Canadian university sport.
"It's important that we take time to celebrate and show our sincere appreciation for the outstanding careers of these four individuals," said CIS president Leo MacPherson. "Each of the award recipients has made significant and meaningful contributions that have led to the growth and development of CIS and university sport in Canada."
FRED SGAMBATI MEDIA AWARD
Born and raised in Windsor, Ont., Mary Caton graduated from Ryerson University with a BAA in journalism in 1979. While at the Toronto school, she played for the Rams' volleyball team for two seasons before switching to basketball in her third year. In her final campaign with the hoops squad, in 1978-79, she was named team MVP and received the G.L. Dobson Trophy for greatest contribution to sport, campus and community life by a Ryerson female student-athlete.
Immediately following graduation, she was hired by The Windsor Star as a summer intern in the sports department. A few months later, in December of 1979, she was hired full time to work as a news reporter in the Star's Chatham bureau. She moved back into sports the following year and was assigned to cover the local scene, including the University of Windsor Lancers.
Caton has covered the Lancers ever since, with a focus on basketball, volleyball, and track and field. With four major professional teams competing only 20 minutes away in Detroit, her efforts have helped to ensure that Windsor student-athletes have remained relevant and received fair coverage throughout the years. In 2009-10, she received the Lancers ‘A' Award presented annually to an individual who has made a special contribution to Lancer Athletics, as well as the OUA Media Award, becoming the first-ever female recipient.
In addition to local sports, Caton has covered a number of professional and international events over the course of her career at The Star, including the Detroit Tigers, Pistons and Lions, PGA and LPGA tournaments, the Pan Am junior championships, and the Detroit Grand Prix Circuit (auto racing).
