Cougars Athletics and Recreation (CAR) rolled out the red carpet at the Bella Concert Hall on the Mount Royal University campus tonight, hosting its annual Cougar Night year-end celebration. The awards-style event honoured MRU student-athletes, coaches, and staff for their achievements throughout the 2025–26 season.

Setting the tone for the evening were emcees Aliya Jomha and Ben Gilbert, two former MRU student-athletes. Jomha played for the women's hockey team while Gilbert was a member of the Cougars basketball program. Their personal stories and passion for Cougar Athletics, helped create a memorable atmosphere for everyone in attendance.

The celebration opened with season recaps and the announcement of team MVPs and the Iron Cougar Award Winners before transitioning into the night's major awards.

Team MVP's
Alex Kemsley- MSOC
Isabella Chirico- WSOC
Sam Barnie- MBB
Nora Luca- WBB
Kale Orr- MVB
Mya Morgan- WVB
Josh Tarzwell- MHKY
Summer Fomradas- WHKY

Iron Cougar Award Winners
Kyle Walker- MHKY
Ava Metzger- WHKY

The Community Leadership Award, presented by Delnor, was awarded to Max Turgeon and Jori Hansen-Young. Together, they exemplify the complete student-athlete experience at MRU, pairing strong leadership in competition with academic success and a sustained commitment to community service.Turgeon has played a key leadership role within MRU Athletics as Vice-President of Diversity and Inclusion on the Cougars Athlete Board, helping guide initiatives that promote representation, inclusion and athlete engagement across varsity programs. Hansen-Young's impact in the community is equally significant, highlighted by her weekly volunteer work in a children's classroom, as well as her efforts supporting marginalized youth through Heroes Hockey, Special Olympics snowshoeing, and other initiatives.

The Rookie of the Year Award, presented by Players Bench Team Apparel, went to Kale Orr of men's volleyball and Isa MacPhee of women's hockey. Orr delivered an outstanding debut season with the MRU Cougars, emerging as one of the conference's most dangerous offensive threats. He quickly became the centerpiece of MRU's attack, leading the team with 259 total kills and averaging 3.55 kills per set—marks that not only topped the Cougars but also ranked third across the conference. Orr's breakout season was cemented as one of the best in program history by being named the Canada West and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. 

On the ice, MacPhee made an immediate impact on the Cougars' blue line in her first season. The rookie defenceman recorded two goals and 13 points, finishing as the top-scoring rookie on the roster and second among all MRU defencemen. Her production also resonated at the conference level, as her 13 points tied for the lead in rookie scoring across Canada West.

Together, Orr and MacPhee delivered breakout campaigns that positioned them as foundational pieces for their respective programs, while also establishing themselves as players to watch across the conference in the years ahead. Both Orr and MacPhee were named to the U SPORTS All Rookie team. 

Next, the spotlight turned to the Al Bohonus Athletes of the Year, presented by EFW Radiology. Tamara Djurisic of women's soccer claimed the female honour and Chanan Chanda of men's soccer was the male recipient. Djurisic was the heartbeat of a Cougars squad that enjoyed one of their best regular seasons in program history. Showcasing a combination of high-end playmaking and finishing, Djurisic co-led the conference in scoring with nine goals in 14 games, a performance that earned her the title of Canada West Player of the Year. Her standout campaign also left a lasting mark on the program record book. In just her third season, Djurisic became the Cougars' all-time leading goal scorer, while her nine goals also set a new single-season Canada West record for the program. Her excellence was recognized on the national stage, as she was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian.

As for Forward Chanan Chanda, his impact on the MRU soccer program was felt immediately. Chanda was the primary offensive driver for Mount Royal enroute to them capturing the Canada West title. The Calgary native started all 14 regular season matches he played, quickly becoming a consistent danger in the attacking third. Chanda's season resume speaks for itself, as he set multiple MRU records for goals in both the regular season and playoffs. His standout campaign also earned him the U SPORTS and Canada West Rookie of the year awards, Canada West Second Team All-Star honours, along with selections to both the Canada West and U SPORTS All-Rookie Teams.

The evening concluded with the presentation of the Brian Fleming Award, presented by the Calgary Booster Club. This distinguished award recognizes student-athletes who excel in academics, athletics, and community involvement. This year's recipients were Sam Barnie of men's basketball and Allee Gerrard of women's hockey. Sam Barnie is a multitime Academic All Canadian, the current Vice President of the Cougars Athletics Board, and the MVP of the men's basketball program for the 2025-26 season. On the court, Barnie was a constant presence, leading the team in rebounding, topping the Cougars in total minutes played, and appearing in all 20 regular season games. His commitment across academics, athletics, and leadership roles makes him a true standard-bearer for Cougars Athletics.

For the MRU women's hockey program, Allee Gerrard has set the standard through her performance on the ice, commitment in the classroom, and dedication to the community. The 2025–26 season marked a career year for Gerrard, as she led the Cougars in both goals and overall scoring, finished among the top 10 in conference scoring, and earned Canada West Second Team All-Star honours. Away from the rink, Gerrard is a four-time Academic All-Canadian and has been actively involved in the community, including her work with Heroes Hockey.