10) Men’s soccer defeats Western in OUA playoffs
In a surprising turn of events, the men’s soccer team finished the 2012 season 5-6-5 and headed into the playoffs as the underdogs against the 3rd-place Western Mustangs. In a thrilling game, the Hawks completed a last-minute come-from-behind victory to eliminate the Mustangs from the post-season.
9) Recreational program wins fifth outstanding program award
Laurier’s intramural program was honoured for the fifth-straight year by the Canadian Intramural Recreation Association, winning Ontario’s Outstanding Intramural Recreation Achievement Award. Over 7,000 students participated in the newly added programs and close to 15 teams were added in 2012.
8) Men’s basketball ousted in first round
Heading into the playoffs as No. 10 in the country, Laurier was expected to have an easy victory in the first round against the Guelph Gryphons. However, after losing four of their final five games of the regular season, the Hawks were shocked by the Gryphons 61-58, ending one of their most highly anticipated seasons ever.
7) Men’s football has worst season in ten years
There was no question that the Hawks were going to have a rebuilding season, but it still came as a shock when the team finished 3-5, marking their worst season in ten years. The Hawks were shutout three times, they didn’t score a touchdown in the final month of the season and eventually lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Queen’s Gaels 34-0 after backing into the post-season.
6) Women’s soccer claim OUA silver medal
After the devastating ending to the 2011 season, Laurier’s women’s soccer team wasn’t given very high expectations coming into this campaign. But with only two losses in the regular season, the Hawks finished first in the OUA West, defeated Queen’s 1-0 in the OUA semi-final before falling 1-0 to the Ottawa Gee-Gees to claim the silver. Laurier would go on to nationals where they went 0-2.
5) Shamawd Chambers drafted to CFL
Finishing up his tenure at Laurier last season, Shamawd Chambers was drafted sixth overall by the Edmonton Eskimos, the highest a Laurier player has been taken since 2007. Chambers recorded 2,068 receiving yards and caught 18 touchdowns in four years at WLU. He also recorded the fastest 40-yard dash at the CFL scouting combine in with 4.42 seconds. Chambers played 16 games with the Eskimos, recording 37 catches for 390 yards and two touchdowns.
4) Women’s hockey wins eighth OUA title in nine years
Easily dominating the OUA, Laurier’s women’s hockey team secured themselves No. 1 in the country heading into the playoffs and defeated the Western Mustangs for their eighth OUA title in nine years. After letting the title slip away in a loss against Queen’s the year previous, Laurier dominated the league with a 25-0-1 record, only losing once in overtime and once during the playoffs. The Hawks went on to place fourth at nationals.
3) Women’s curling has perfect season
Starting right in January, Laurier’s curling team hit the world stage, winning the gold medal at the Kariuzawa International Curling Championships in Kariuzawa, Japan. Less than a month after that, the Hawks easily defeated the Western Mustangs to claim the OUA title. A month later, the team was in Welland, Ont. for the CIS national championship, defeating the host Brock Badgers 9-2 for their fourth national title in five years.
2) Baseball hazing incident gains national coverage
Laurier’s men’s baseball team was suspended for four games following a hazing incident that took place at a rookie party in late September. Although the team was allowed to finish their season, the incident gained attention throughout the country. Less than a month later, the team filed an appeal against the athletics department.
1) Gary Jeffries steps down
Following a harsh 3-5 football season, head coach Gary Jeffries found himself leaving his spot at WLU after almost 40 years at the university. Shocking the Laurier community and gathering many heartfelt sentiments, Jeffries’ decision made headlines throughout the OUA. It was never confirmed whether or not Jeffries was forced out, but he did say that he wasn’t retiring. Speculations have also risen that he could end up at schools around the OUA.