COLLINGWOOD, Ont. - Cementing one of the best individual seasons the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has ever seen, Huskie women's basketball guard
Gage Grassick has been named the 2024-25 female recipient of the Lois and Doug Mitchell Athlete of the Year award. The product of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, becomes the first ever USask female student-athlete to be named the top athlete across U SPORTS and joins former men's volleyball star Adam Ens as the only Huskie winners.
Grassick joins Wilfrid Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma, who was named the male recipient of the Lois and Doug Mitchell awards, which are presented to Canada's top student-athletes competing in athletics across U SPORTS.
The national recognition is the highest achievement for a U SPORTS athlete and completes an truly remarkable year for the veteran guard. Not only was Grassick an instrumental piece of the Huskies' Canada West and U SPORTS Championship teams, but she was also recognized at every stage of the season for the individual dominance displayed on the court.
"We are so proud of the eight nominees this year. They are exceptional student-athletes and citizens," said The Hon. Lois Mitchell, chair of the Canadian Athletic Foundation Board of Trustees. "Gage and Taylor had outstanding seasons, demonstrating their adaptability to any condition they have faced on the field of competition and in the classroom. They are excellent recipients of the Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards."
"On behalf of U SPORTS, congratulations to Gage and Taylor on winning the Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards," said Pierre Arsenault, U SPORTS CEO. "We had an exceptional group of nominees this year, with many national champions and athlete-of-the-year winners in their sports. To be recognized like this is a wonderful accomplishment for Gage and Taylor."
Grassick became just the third Saskatchewan Huskie to win the Nan Copp Trophy as the nation's top player and was also named a first-team All-Canadian. Her regular season was exceptional, setting program records for single-season assists (120) and triple-doubles (18-10-12 vs Manitoba), while also leading the nation in both three-point field goals made (58) and three-point shooting percentage (41.4).
When the lights were brightest, Grassick elevated her game. She delivered a jaw-dropping 31-point performance in the Canada West final against UBC, adding seven assists and two steals to help the Huskies claim their 10th conference title.
At the U SPORTS Final 8, she averaged 20.7 points per game and secured Tournament MVP honours with a 35-point outburst in the national championship final—leading Saskatchewan to its third national title with a commanding 85–66 win over defending champion Carleton.
Capping her season, Grassick was also awarded USask's Mary Ethel Cartwright Trophy as the Most Outstanding Female Athlete.
