Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards: Olivia Rizakos and Aaron Rhooms named OUA finalists
Olivia Rizakos, a women’s soccer forward from Guelph, and Aaron Rhooms, a men’s basketball guard from Toronto Metropolitan, are the final two finalists for the Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards as the U SPORTS athletes of the year. They are the OUA athletes of the year, as selected by the conference.
Olivia Rizakos, Guelph women’s soccer
A master’s student in psychology from Toronto, Rizakos became the first player in Guelph women’s soccer history to win the Chantal Navert Award as the U SPORTS women’s soccer player of the year following a standout 2025 season.
The fourth-year forward and Gryphons captain led Guelph to the top of the OUA West division standings, an OUA silver medal and the program’s fifth-ever berth at the U SPORTS national championship tournament — and first since 2017.
Rizakos emerged as one of the premier offensive players in the country, finishing second in the OUA with 11 goals while leading the conference with nine assists and 20 points in just 12 regular-season matches.
She recorded at least one point in 12 of Guelph’s 15 matches, including the postseason, with a goal and an assist during the playoffs as the Gryphons advanced to the conference final.
Rizakos’ university career included overcoming significant adversity. After earning OUA West first-team all-star honours in her first varsity season in 2021, she suffered a torn ACL at the club level in April 2022, forcing her to miss the entire 2022 university campaign.
She returned to action in 2023 before re-establishing herself as one of the top players in Ontario in 2024, once again earning OUA West first-team all-star recognition while helping Guelph reach the conference semifinals.
Away from the pitch, Rizakos has been heavily involved in youth soccer through her work with Guelph Minor Soccer. Most recently, she has served as coordinator for the “She Can Coach” program, an initiative aimed at increasing the number of women coaching girls’ soccer. She has also volunteered with local youth soccer programs and worked as a counsellor with the University of Guelph’s summer camps.
Rizakos is the ninth Guelph student-athlete to be named a national finalist for the Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards. Guelph has produced one previous winner, Ross Proudfoot in 2014-15.
Aaron Rhooms, Toronto Metropolitan men’s basketball
A fifth-year guard from Toronto, Rhooms concluded one of the most accomplished careers in Toronto Metropolitan men’s basketball history after being named the reigning U SPORTS men’s basketball player of the year.
The 6-foot-6 guard leaves TMU as the program’s all-time leader in field goals made and three-pointers made while ranking second in total points and fourth in rebounds.
Rhooms was a two-time OUA player of the year and earned U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian honours twice during his career. He was also recognized as both the OUA and U SPORTS rookie of the year in 2021-22.
Over five seasons, Rhooms established himself as one of the top players in Canadian university basketball, earning five OUA all-star selections and helping elevate the Bold into perennial contenders within the conference.
Beyond the university game, Rhooms is competing in his fourth season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League and has represented Canada internationally with the national men’s U23 3x3 team.
Known for his versatility and scoring ability, Rhooms became one of the most decorated athletes in program history and one of the premier players in the country during his university career.
Rhooms is the second individual Toronto Metropolitan student-athlete to be named a national finalist for the Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards, following Theanna Vernon in 2018 and 2019. TMU has not previously produced a national winner.
The Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards for the U SPORTS athletes of the year will be announced at a ceremony in Calgary on Wednesday, May 20.
Other finalists: