Lionel Conacher Award
The Lionel Conacher Award is an annual award given to Canada's male athlete of the year. The sports writers of the Canadian Press (CP) first conducted a poll to determine the nation's top athlete, of either gender, in 1932. Separate polls for the best male and female athletes were conducted beginning the following year. The CP formalized the poll into an award in 1978, presenting their winner a plaque. It was named after Lionel Conacher, a multi-sport champion whom the news organization had named its top athlete of the half-century in 1950.[1] The award is separate from the Lou Marsh Trophy, in which a select panel of sports writers vote for their top overall athlete.
The poll was suspended for four years during the Second World War after the CP decided it could not name a sporting "hero" at a time when Canadian soldiers were fighting in Europe.[2] Football player Joe Krol became the first repeat winner following the war, earning top spot in both 1946 and 1947.[3] Hockey star Maurice Richard was the first three-time winner in 1958, and baseball pitcher Ferguson Jenkins the first four-time winner in 1974.[4] Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky has won the most Lionel Conacher Awards, finishing top of the poll six times in the 1980s, and in 1999 was named the Canadian Press Athlete of the Century.[5]
The most recent winner is soccer player, Alphonso Davies.
Voting
The winner was originally selected following a straight vote of each writer's top choice. Golfer Ross Somerville won the inaugural poll after becoming the first Canadian to win the United States Amateur Championship.[6] By 1936, the poll was conducted via a points system where each writer ranked their top three choices. Their first choice received three points, second choice two, and third choice one point.[7] This points system has remained since. In 2001 golfer Mike Weir defeated hockey player Joe Sakic by two points in one of the closest votes in the award's history. He did so despite earning 13 fewer first place votes than Sakic.[8]
Historically, the poll has not been limited to Canadians. Foreign-born athletes who were outstanding performers in Canadian sport have also gained consideration. Football player Fritz Hanson, a native of Minnesota, was named top athlete in 1939,[9] while American Don Jones finished fourth in voting in 1971 on the strength of his performances with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.[10] The poll became increasingly dominated by professional athletes since the 1960s – only three amateurs won the award between 1965 and 1984.[11]
Winners have represented a broad spectrum of sports. Individual sport winners include weightlifter Doug Hepburn in 1953,[12] figure skater Kurt Browning in 1990 and 1991,[13] and most recently, gymnast Kyle Shewfelt in 2004.[14] Participants in one of North America's "major league" team sports won each year between 2005 and 2010. National Hockey League player Sidney Crosby and National Basketball Association player Steve Nash have each won three times overall and Major League Baseball player Justin Morneau won in 2008.[15] Overall, hockey players have finished at the top of the annual polls the most times at 26. Track and field is second with 13 winners and football third with 10.
List of winners
Notes
a Denotes athlete also won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of the year.[84]
b According to the Canadian Press, the award was discontinued between 1942 and 1945 because "sports writers decided athletes cannot rate as heroes while young Canadian pilots, paratroopers and corvette gunners fought for freedom in the shadow of death".[2]
c No winner was announced for the years 1950 or 1999 as the Canadian Press instead voted for athlete of the half-century and century, respectively.[26]
See also
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References
- "Smith picked as Canadian male athlete of the year". Regina Leader-Post. 1978-12-15. p. 14. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- Dumsday, William H. (1946-12-24). "Joe Krol is voted Canada's outstanding athlete". Edmonton Journal. p. 10. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- MacDougall, Fraser (1948-01-08). "Joe Krol named leading athlete". Calgary Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- "Record win for Jenkins". Calgary Herald. 1974-12-17. p. 62. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- Stevens, Neil (1999-11-30). "Gretzky a true hero both on and off the ice; male athlete of the century". Kitchener Record. p. D2. Archived from the original on 2012-12-17. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- Dulmage, Elmer (1932-12-24). "Somerville ranks as Canada's best athlete of 1932". Montreal Gazette. p. 15. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Dulmage, Elmer (1936-12-22). "Negro star gets call". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. p. 10. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Weir edges Sakic to win Conacher; Golfer tops Avalanche captain in balloting by just two points". Kitchener Record. 2001-12-28. p. C1. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Fritz Hanson chosen as no. 1 in Canadian athletes for 1939". Ottawa Citizen. 1939-12-19. p. 11. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Levett, Bruce (1971-12-28). "Jenkins joins the Rocket with third Canadian crown". Vancouver Sun. p. 22. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Baumann voted top male athlete". Montreal Gazette. 1984-12-18. p. E1. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- Sullivan, Jack (1953-12-26). "Doug Hepburn named male athlete of the year". Calgary Herald. p. 22. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Stevens, Neil (1990-12-18). "Browning named top male athlete". Waterloo Record. p. C1. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- Toth, Dan (2004-12-29). "Kyle's happy Shew year". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Twins' Justin Morneau named Canadian male athlete of the year". The Sports Network. 2008-12-28. Archived from the original on 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Runner is most popular". Vancouver Sun. 1933-12-28. p. 12. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Dulmage, Elmer (1934-12-22). "Webster named Canada's outstanding athlete". Calgary Herald. p. 7. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Dulmage, Elmer (1935-12-28). "Rugby star acclaimed". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. p. 11. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Dulmage, Elmer (1937-12-28). "Syl Apps voted outstanding athlete of year". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. p. 10. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- "Stirling named athlete of the year in annual Canadian Press poll". Montreal Gazette. 1938-12-29. p. 15. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Gruson, Sydney (1940-12-23). "Gerard Cote leading Canadian athlete". Calgary Herald. p. 7. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Gruson, Sydney (1941-12-24). "Football star honored as Canada's top athlete". Calgary Herald. p. 16. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Bud O'Connor, Keith Spaith top Canadian sport scene". Calgary Herald. 1948-12-23. p. 14. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Alouettes' Frank Filchock Canada's athlete of year". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. 1950-01-05. p. 12. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Lionel Conacher easily wins half-century award". Vancouver Sun. 1950-12-30. p. 16. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Male athlete of the year". Kitchener Record. 2000-12-29. p. C7. Retrieved 2011-09-02.
- Phillips, Bruce (1953-01-01). "Maurice Richard named Canada's top athlete". Ottawa Citizen. p. 13. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Sullivan, Jack (1954-12-24). "Ferguson voted top athlete". Regina Leader-Post. p. 23. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Sullivan, Jack (1955-12-23). "Edmonton's Normie Kwong is selected top male athlete in Canada for 1955". Ottawa Citizen. p. 13. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Montreal's Beliveau top Canuck athlete". Vancouver Sun. 1956-12-19. p. 21. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Rocket athlete of year". Regina Leader-Post. 1957-12-21. p. 23. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Rocket soars to top of sports heap". Vancouver Sun. 1958-12-23. p. 9. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Sullivan, Jack (1959-12-24). "Russ Jackson top athlete". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. p. 18. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Stewart named top athlete". Calgary Herald. 1960-12-28. p. 9. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Sullivan, Jack (1961-12-28). "Top male athlete, Kidd also "most outstanding"". Edmonton Journal. p. 7. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Sullivan, Jack (1962-12-27). "Kidd top athlete again". Regina Leader-Post. p. 18. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Sullivan, Jack (1963-12-24). "Gord Howe named Canada's top athlete—Riders' Russ Jackson close runner-up". Ottawa Citizen. p. 15. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Crothers voted Canada's outstanding male athlete". Montreal Gazette. 1964-12-24. p. 22. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Hull edges Crothers as outstanding athlete". Vancouver Sun. 1965-12-22. p. 13. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Levett, Bruce (1966-12-16). "Hull Canada's top athlete for second year in a row". Calgary Herald. p. 27. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Ferguson Jenkins voted nation's top male athlete". Regina Leader-Post. 1967-12-15. p. 31. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- "Jenkins best Canadian athlete". Regina Leader-Post. 1968-12-24. p. 18. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- Levett, Bruce (1969-12-22). "Surprise! Our Russ athlete of the year". Ottawa Citizen. p. 23. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Orr....who else? Top male athlete". Calgary Herald. 1970-12-30. p. 14. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Filion second to Esposito as top athlete". Montreal Gazette. 1972-12-23. p. 16. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- MacLaine, Ian (1973-12-19). "Esposito again Canada's top male athlete". Regina Leader-Post. p. 31. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- Sufrin, Mel (1975-12-18). "Clarke named outstanding male athlete". Regina Leader-Post. p. 25. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- Sufrin, Mel (1976-12-22). "Jumper who gave Canada Olympic joy is best in 1976". Ottawa Citizen. p. 17. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Writer's poll: Lafleur est magnifique!". Calgary Herald. 1977-12-20. p. D1. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Plucky Quebec driver thrilled with award". Montreal Gazette. 1979-12-15. p. 78. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Gretzky athlete of the year". Regina Leader-Post. 1980-12-19. p. 31. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Gretzky runaway choice as top male athlete". Montreal Gazette. 1981-12-18. p. 49. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "You just can't overlook the Great One". Regina Leader-Post. 1982-12-21. p. B1. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Gretzky, Bassett are Canada's athletes of year". Montreal Gazette. 1984-01-13. p. C1. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Gretzky Athlete of the year". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. p. B7.
- "Fastest man Johnson runs away with athlete-of-year title". Montreal Gazette. 1986-12-18. p. C1. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- White, Scott (1987-12-16). "Big Ben wins race for top male athlete prize". Toronto Star. p. F1. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Hockey: Lemieux emerges". Lewiston Daily Sun. 1988-12-14. p. 16. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "No. 99 gets No. 6; outpolls Browning to win CP award". Toronto Star. 1989-12-19. p. B3. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- McGran, Kevin (1991-12-17). "Browning again named male athlete of the year". Toronto Star. p. C4. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- Stevens, Neil (1992-12-15). "Tewksbury makes a splash Swimmer named CP athlete of the year". Hamilton Spectator. p. C5. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- Woods, Paul (1993-12-27). "Campbell winner with media Editors voted her top newsmaker of 1993". Hamilton Spectator. p. A12. Archived from the original on 2012-12-17. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- "Lemieux Honored". Washington Observer-Reporter. 1993-12-21. p. C4. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- Davidson, Neil (1995-12-29). "Villeneuve races to victory: Race car driver tops sprinter for yearly honors". Hamilton Spectator. p. D3. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Car racer captures CP honor". Toronto Star. 1995-12-29. p. E5. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Bailey runs off with CP honors". Toronto Star. 1996-12-31. p. D7. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Villeneuve takes male athlete honor". Kitchener Record. 1997-12-30. p. D1. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- "Larry Walker named male athlete of the year". Hamilton Spectator. 1998-12-30. p. E1. Archived from the original on 2012-12-17. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- "Mike Weir wins Lionel Conacher Award as Canadas Male Athlete of the Year". Official website of Mike Weir. 2009-03-03. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- Davidson, Neil (2002-12-27). "Mavericks' Nash wins Conacher". Toronto Star. p. B5. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- "Steve Nash wins Lionel Conacher Award". CTV. 2005-12-28. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- "Steve Nash voted top Canadian male athlete". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2006-12-26. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
- "Crosby named Canadian Press male athlete of the year". The Sports Network. 2010-12-30. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- The Canadian Press (2011-12-28). "Chan beats out Raonic for CP male athlete of the year". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
- The Canadian Press (2012-12-26). "Hesjedal wins Lionel Conacher Award for 2012". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
- The Canadian Press (2013-12-26). "Raonic Voted Canada's Male Athlete of the Year". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on 2013-12-27. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
- The Canadian Press (2014-12-26). "Milos Raonic wins Lionel Conacher Award for 2nd straight year". CBC Sports. Retrieved 2014-12-26.
- https://www.tsn.ca/canadiens-price-voted-canada-s-male-athlete-of-the-year-1.414447
- The Canadian Press (2016-12-26). "Andre De Grasse voted Canadian Press male athlete of the year". CBC Sports. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2017/12/26/shapovalov-adds-to-his-magical-year-winning-the-conacher-award/
- https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-after-dream-year-mikael-kingsbury-named-canadian-press-male-athlete/
- https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/freestyleskiing/mikael-kingsbury-moguls-gold-ruka-finland-1.5409151
- Davidson, Neil (December 29, 2020). "Alphonso Davies wraps up remarkable year by winning Lionel Conacher Award". CBC.ca. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- "Past winners of Lou Marsh Award". Toronto Star. 2009-12-14. Retrieved 2011-09-02.
External links
- Greatest Sporting Moments: The Bobbie Rosenfeld and Lionel Conacher Award Winners in the Virtual Museum of Canada