The Humber Hawks wrapped up another dominant season after bringing home four Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) medals.
Between the Hawks men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams, three gold medals and one silver medal were won from late February to early March.
It started on Feb. 28. when both Hawks volleyball teams took home gold. The women took down St. Clair in the final in a thrilling reverse sweep and Humber taking it 3-2.
Head coach Chris Wilkins said he knew they would win as long as they stayed consistent. Humber also received a big performance from fifth-year right side hitter Hannah Manners.
“We had the confidence and never panicked. Never once in the match did we feel like we were going to lose. We knew that if we could just get consistent on our side we could do it,” he said.
Humber is known for its winning culture and each team has its own philosophy to maintain that standard.
“Always be the hardest working team. We strive to have constant improvement each day. And we keep the phrase. Be better,” Wilkins said.
This win marks five championships in a row.
The Hawks men’s volleyball team won its gold with a little less stress with a 3-0 win over Cambrian. Big performances from first-year outside hitter Enzo Endres and fifth-year outside hitter Teyven Blackmore helped the men take their sixth OCAA championship.
Head coach Wayne Wilkins knew winning six in a row was tough but he kept the team locked in on the goal.
“I think right from the start the guys understood that winning six in a row was unprecedented and I think they felt the pressure of that throughout the season so by the time we got to provincials, they were so dialed in on achieving their goal,” he said. “I think that allowed us to play freely and be as good as we were because they were already hardened throughout the regular season dealing with that pressure.”
Wilkins understands the winning culture at Humber and is grateful for all the support from the school.
“I think having a great team culture, having a school that continually supports you and ultimately understanding that the ‘standard is the standard’ allows us to attract the best talented athletes available to us and hold them accountable with these high expectations because they know that the goal for each season is the same,” Wilkins said.
In March the Hawks basketball teams took the court with the men’s team taking home the first medal.
After a disappointing championship loss last season, the team bounced back and took down Mohawk in the final.
Fourth-year small forward Adrian Aluyi won the tournament's MVP after multiple dominant showings.
“It was a surreal feeling, all the hard work I put in, being able to be recognized on one of the biggest stages, it’s a blessing,” he said.
Aluyi also has high praise for his team and the Humber culture.
“Just the culture around Humber. There’s high expectations every year once you put on the Humber Jersey. The coaches, the players and everyone around knows that the ultimate goal is a national championship every year, and constantly striving towards and having that standard makes the Humber men’s basketball program so great,” Aluyi said.
The women’s basketball team won silver after a loss in the finals against the Fanshawe Falcons.
The Hawks dominated the all three games in the path to the final, blowing out Durham, Algonquin and Loyalist.
Third-year small forward Beverly Omere said obviously the team was disappointed with the result but also said how great the opportunity is to play for Humber.
“It really means a lot to play at Humber. The excellence that Humber has throughout the years just makes it so much more special that I get to be a part of this school,” Omere said.
