June 14, 2022

Lumsden named CCAA Athletic Director of Year

June Lumsden of Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) has been named the 2022 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Athletic Director of the Year.

Lumsden received the award at the 2022 CCAA Hall of Fame Banquet in Halifax, NS.

The CCAA award recognizes administrative excellence within the campus or college community environment. This award also recognizes an Athletic Director who has made a significant contribution to their institution over the past academic year.

“June is someone who really cares about what we do and always has the best interests of the student-athlete in mind when decisions need to be made,” said Vince Amato, CCAA President. “Her leadership at MSVU, in the conference and the CCAA was appreciated by all over the past year, and she continues to leave her mark in everything that she does.”

This past year, in addition to her role as Director, Athletics & Recreation at MSVU, Lumsden was asked to assume the role of Interim Associate Vice-President for Student Experience.

In addition to her day-to-day role in Athletics & Recreation, she would also oversee the Aboriginal Student Centre, Accessibility Services, Black Student Support, Counselling, Health Services, International Education Centre, Residence Life and the Writing Resource Centre – making an even more significant contribution to the institution at large.

These departments are the core support groups for all MSVU students and Lumsden kept her usual positivity and optimism while working tirelessly to lead and support with purpose – through the highs and lows of the pandemic.

“June, characteristically, didn’t skip a beat,” said Ramona Lumpkin, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor at MSVU. “She worked tirelessly and ultimately successfully, leading two senior level portfolios, and in doing so, she showed us what true dedication to post-secondary education and the student experience looks like.”

Lumsden continued to provide an environment in which students felt safe and supported.

“Despite holding two demanding positions of leadership on campus, June continued to welcome all who entered her space with open arms,” said Lumpkin. “She is a mentor, a leader, a protector, and she is a role model for our staff, faculty, students and broader campus community.”

This past season, Lumsden also served as the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) Treasurer and Secretary and was a member of the Executive, Awards and Return to Play Committees. She also served the CCAA as a Board of Director Representative and Finance Committee member.

It was also an impressive year for varsity athletics at the Mount, which hosted the 2022 ACAA Volleyball Championships.

Overall, the Mystics earned five ACAA medals, including three conference championship banners. Three MSVU student-athletes were honoured as 2021-22 CCAA All-Canadians and two Mystics were named ACAA Players of the Year. Three head coaches earned ACAA Coach of the Year honours.

The Mystics also proudly celebrated seven CCAA Academic All-Canadians in 2021-22 and 35 CCAA National Scholars.

In the fall, former Women’s Soccer player Abbey MacLeod, joined the Mystics coaching staff as a participant in the CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program, to further the participation of women in sport.

MSVU also saw four alumni inducted into the 2022 CCAA Hall of Fame. Each of these individuals – two coaches and two athletes who were successful in their own right – have had the opportunity to work with and be supported by Lumsden throughout their athletic and academic careers.

The Mystics also continued to host many sports camps and development sessions for youth in the community. In addition, Lumsden’s support for women in sport continued with the community CO-ED and Women’s volleyball leagues as well as the newly formed Maritime Women’s Basketball Association that are hosted at the Mount.

“The Mount and our students are fortunate to have an individual of June’s caliber – someone who has committed a lifetime of passion for sport and who is devoted to the success of all Mount students,” said Lumpkin. “We as an institution are forever grateful for the contributions, she has made over the past year to ensure Mount students find success and happiness on and off our campus.”

Lumsden, along with Ray Chateau of Humber College, are the first ever co-recipients of the CCAA’s Athletic Director of the Year Award, which has been presented annually since 2000.

She received a ‘CCAA Senator’ ring at the conclusion of the AGM.