PAST COACHING EXCELLENCE RECIPIENTS
The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association is pleased to announce that Michael Aquino of Humber College is this year’s recipient of the CCAA Coaching Excellence Award.
The award recognizes coaching contributions to sport and to student-athlete development over a period of at least five years.
Aquino has led the Humber Hawks Men’s Soccer team to CCAA National Championship titles in three of the last four years, including consecutive victories the last two seasons.
“Winning the back-to-back National Championships has certainly vaulted Michael into elite company in the annals of CCAA coaching history, but it is the way he has done it that is most impressive and makes him a role model for other coaches,” said David Munro, CCAA VP Sport Development and CCAA Men’s Soccer Convenor.
“Michael has consistently demonstrated a humble yet confident approach, good sportsmanship and leadership throughout the championship run.”
Aquino, Humber’s head coach since 2013, guided the Hawks to CCAA National titles in 2013, 2015 and 2016. He was also an assistant coach for the Humber squad that won CCAA gold in 2012.
Humber’s CCAA and OCAA record under Aquino’s guidance is 51-2-4. He’s a perfect 9-0 at CCAA National Championships.
This past season, the Hawks finished atop the OCAA Central Division with a perfect 10-0 record. After defeating rival Algonquin in the conference championship final, Humber went on to defend its National title with a 2-0 victory over host Keyano at the 2016 CCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship.
Aquino has been a tremendous influence on his student-athletes.
“Michael has high expectations for his players to excel in the classroom and on the field, but he wants them to do it in a way that shows respect for themselves, the Hawks program and the CCAA,” said Munro.
He becomes the third Humber Hawks coach to receive this award. Mike Katz (Men’s Basketball) and current Humber College Director of Athletics and Recreation Ray Chateau (Golf) earned the Coaching Excellence Award in 2001 and 2012, respectively.
Aquino has also served as the Technical Director at various clubs, including the Etobicoke Youth Soccer Club and most recently, the Aurora Youth Soccer Club (AYSC).
Along with his club team AYSC, Aquino participates in the Female Mentorship Coaching Program. This program is designed to train female coaches, who in turn will act as coaches to teams within the AYSC. The goal is to increase the number of active elite female coaches and to create an improved female coaching culture.
Aquino, a secondary school Physical Health and Education teacher in Toronto, is also the current head coach for the Brebeuf College School (Catholic District High School) boys team.
The CCAA works in partnership with the Professional Coaching Department of the Coaching Association of Canada and recipients of the CCAA Coaching Excellence award receive a one-year membership to their Chartered Professional Coach designation.
“The Coaching Association of Canada is proud to honour Michael Aquino, ChPC, as the 2017 recipient of the CCAA Coaching Excellence award,” said Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the CAC.
“Michael’s investment to his personal and professional development as a coach and educator highlight his passion, commitment, and dedication to his athletes development, and contribute to positively shaping our Canadian sport community.”
