The athletics department has been recognized by Ontario University Athletics for successes off the playing field, winning awards for Best Social Media Account and Best Video Feature during the 2023-24 CHAMP Awards (Celebrating and Honouring Achievements in Marketing and Promotions), May 15 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The Lancer Instagram account, @WindsorLancers, grew by 230 per cent over the past year, thanks to a plan that kept fans, teams, and community engaged and involved throughout the season, says sports information co-ordinator Elisa Mitton.

“Our social media team is very proud of the content that we produced each and every week for our Lancer family,” Mitton says. “I, personally, am so proud of our student team who showed so much dedication to our department and our goals by putting in countless hours every weekend so that we could produce and release the amazing content that we did.”

The story of a Lancer women’s hockey player overcoming thyroid cancer, Maggie Mitani: Battling Through Adversity, was named best video feature. Produced by Connor Sykes, the profile captured the hearts of everyone in the league, pulled at viewers’ heartstrings, and provided perspective into how precious life is.