TORONTO – The Ontario Sports Hall of Fame has named Ottawa REDBLACKS receiver Brad Sinopoli as the 2015 Syl Apps Athlete of the Year.
The award celebrates the contributions of top athletes in Ontario, and is awarded to the athlete who has made an outstanding and memorable contribution to Ontario sports during the previous calendar year.
Sinopoli is coming off a breakout 2015 season that saw the second-year REDBLACKS capture the East Division championship en route to a first Grey Cup appearance. Sinopoli recorded 86 receptions for 1,035 yards and three touchdowns – including eight catches for 120 yards on Oct. 24 against the Montreal Alouettes — and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian.
The online public vote to determine the award recipient concluded on March 31st, 2016 with Sinopoli edging out other top professional competitors such as Andre De Grasse, Brooke Henderson and Kadeisha Buchanan to win. He received nearly 30% of total votes cast.
“I’m just honoured to be considered among these other incredibly talented athletes,” said Sinopoli, who starred for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees before turning pro. “I’m grateful that we have such great and passionate fans – not only REDBLACKS fans but throughout the CFL as a whole.
“I’m happy to be a part of this league with them and I’m thankful they were in my corner for this honour.”
Finalists for the 2015 Syl Apps Award included Buchanan (Soccer), De Grasse (Sprinter), Henderson (Golf), Kia Nurse (Basketball), Joseph Votto (Baseball), Damian Warner (Decathlete), Andrew Wiggins (Basketball).
Sinopoli will be recognized at the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, 2016 Induction Ceremony & Awards Gala which will be held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel (Grand Ballroom) on October 17, 2016.
As part of the annual gala, the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame inducted six new members – the Class of 2016 – who will be honoured October 17, 2016 at the Sheraton Centre. The Class of 2016 includes: Sarah Burke (Freestyle Skiing), Ron Ellis (Hockey), Tony Fernandez (Baseball), Eric Lindros (Hockey), Leo Rautins (Basketball), and Chris Schultz (Football). The Special Award Winners include: Brad Sinopoli (Syl Apps Athlete of the Year Award), Peter Gilgan (Sandy Hawley Community Service Award), Bob Elliott (Brian Williams Media Award), University of Toronto Varsity football team, winning 1909 inaugural Grey Cup (Ferguson Jenkins Heritage Award), Frank Selke Sr. and Frank Selke Jr. (Bruce Prentice Legacy Award).
