Eric Beaudoin of the Champlain Saint-Lambert Cavaliers is the 2019 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Cross-Country Running Coach of the Year.
Beaudoin received the award during the CCAA All-Canadian Banquet at the 2019 CCAA Cross-Country Running National Championships, hosted by GPRC in Grande Prairie, AB.
“Eric is well deserving of this prestigious national recognition,” said Darcy Brioux, CCAA Cross-Country Running Convenor. “He has exemplified tremendous leadership in the sport, helping not only to build his team at Champlain Saint-Lambert, but also for cross-country running in Quebec and Canada.”
Champlain’s women’s team finished first overall over three races in the RSEQ Sud-Ouest, while the men’s team placed second, a single point out of first. The Cavaliers won the cumulative combined banner for the second year in a row. At the RSEQ Championships, the women’s team earned gold, while the men’s team settled for bronze. Champlain also earned the cumulative title at provincials.
The objective of the Cross-Country Running program at Champlain is to prepare student-athletes for the next level of competition. The focus is on the long-term development of the athletes while guiding them to achieve their individual objectives. This season, Beaudoin established a program to oversee the training of their athletes year-round.
Beaudoin is also the middle-distance coach at Athletisme Rive-Sud and their athletes train with the Cavaliers. This gives student-athletes at Champlain the opportunity to foster their leadership skills and be role models for the younger athletes.
In addition, Beaudoin is the head coach at Heritage Regional High School and responsible for the Sports Excellence track program, where more than 100 athletes compete in cross-country running, indoor and outdoor track.
Beaudoin, who also serves as the RSEQ’s Cross-Country Running Convenor, organizes the annual Cavaliers Classic, a race on the college circuit, as well as the RSEQ High School Cross Country Championships.
“Eric has been a true leader for the sport and has helped build Cross-Country Running into a true program – not just a team,” said Vince Amato, Coordinator of Athletics & Recreation at Champlain Saint-Lambert. “His dedication speaks volumes about who he is as a coach, mentor and person.”
Other nominees for the CCAA Cross-Country Running Coach of the Year award were Simon Schaerz of the Lethbridge Kodiaks (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) and Cory Currie of the Laurier Brantford Golden Hawks (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association).
CCAA Coach of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA National Championship Awards Banquet.
