ryersonrams.ca will be highlighting all six major awards nominees over the next week leading up to the event.

Today, we are releasing the three finalists for the D.H. Craighead Outstanding Contribution to IU Sport, Campus and Community Life by a Male. This award is given to a student-athlete, preferably in his graduating year, who has provided leadership and participation in a specific ongoing activity or in a collection of community and/or campus life activities. Also, this recipient usually has been involved in a leadership role on a team (captain), maintains a positive attitude both on and off the field of competition and personifies sportsmanship.

The following Ryerson Rams athletes were nominated by their coaches and chosen as finalists through the awards selection process.

Andrew Buck - Men's Hockey

Men's hockey captain Andrew Buck helped lead his team back to the OUA post-season after the Rams missed out on the playoffs in 2010-11. Buck tallied a team- high 22 points, including 10 goals on the year, guiding the men to their first winning record in 23 years and a seventh-place finish in the OUA East. He also picked up six points in a first round playoff loss to UQTR. The Newmarket, Ont. native took part in the Athletic Department's adopt-a-family gift presentation over the holiday season. He went one step further on that day, becoming a big brother to Nathen, a member of the adopted family.

Parvinder Sachdeva - Badminton

Parvinder Sachdeva is a member of the Ryerson Rams badminton team, and helped his squad to a fourth-place finish at the OUA championships this past season. After founding the organization TEDx RyersonU in 2010-11, Sachdeva (Etobicoke, Ont.) led the second annual TEDx RyersonU conference in November of 2011. He expanded the event to become a global platform for university leaders to share their ideas with Ryerson and the world, evident from the 13,000 views they have received since being posted in January. The economic science and finance major is the President and Founder of Ryerson Toastmasters, serving as an executive advisor for this group which assists students in improving their public speaking skills. He is also the third-year student representative on the economics department council.

Luke Staniscia - Men's Basketball

Fifth-year forward Luke Staniscia concluded his tenure with the Ryerson Rams men's basketball team on a high-note, captaining the team to its first CIS Final 8 appearance in 13 seasons. Staniscia played an integral role for the Rams, who finished second in the OUA East division at the end of the regular season and picked up a silver medal at the OUA Final Four. The Pefferlaw, Ont. product, who was one of the top rebounders in the CIS in 2011-12, served as a speaker for both the team and department at the President's OUA Award Winners Luncheon on March 20, and was also a participant in the Rising Rams mentoring program.

For full coverage leading up to the 64th Annual Athletic Awards Celebration as well as nominees announcements, follow us at www.ryersonrams.ca or @ryersonrams #RAMMYS on Twitter!