Prince George, B.C. – Earlier this week, third-year UNBC Timberwolves midfielder
Connor Lewis (Prince George, B.C.) was one of 36 indigenous athletes from across British Columbia to receive a 2023 Premier's Award for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport.
READ THE FULL RELEASE HERE (Published by the Indigenous Sport Physical Activity & Recreation Council)
"I'm very honoured and grateful to have been chosen as one of the regional recipients for the Premier's Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport," said Lewis. "I'd like to thank my family, friends, the Prince George and UNBC community and the Métis Nation of British Columbia for their on-going support to allow me to succeed in the classroom, on the field and in the community."
During his three-year tenure at UNBC, Lewis has made a positive impact athletically, scholastically and philanthropically. His three goals and five points were second on the team during the 2023 season and since the start of his rookie season in 2021 has appeared in 39 Canada West games – 20 of which he started.
In the classroom Lewis has earned Academic All-Canadian status in each of the past three seasons, and in 2023 took it one step further by earning a spot on the President's Honour Roll alongside just three other UNBC student athletes.
His community pursuits include: various donation drives, basketball refereeing/coaching and working as an Indigenous education worker, planning Indigenous events and working with elders.
The 36 regional award winners were announced earlier this week on Tuesday and are now automatically eligible for the Provincial Awards which will be announced later this year.
"I would like to offer my heartiest congratulations to all 36 regional finalists for this year's Premier's Awards Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sports. You've worked hard, you've trained hard, and you've earned this recognition," said Premier David Eby in the I-SPARC (Indigenous Sport Physical Activity & Recreation Council) news release that was issued on Tuesday of this week. "You're the future leaders of your communities. I know you have great contributions to make on and off the field of play!"
The UNBC Athletics department is very proud of Connor for receiving this honour.
