Former HEC Crighton winner Andy Fantuz named "Ambassador of the 47th Vanier Cup"

VANCOUVER - The 47th  Vanier Cup is pleased to announce that Saskatchewan Roughrider and CIS legend Andy Fantuz has been named the ambassador for the national championship to be played at BC Place Stadium, Friday November 25.

Fantuz will be the presenter of the Hec Crighton award, presented annually to the Most Outstanding Player in the CIS. While better known for his exploits in the CFL, Fantuz won the Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in the CIS in 2005, to become only the fifth receiver to win the award and first since Calgary 's Don Blair in 1995.

“It was special to receive my Hec Crighton from former winner Jesse Lumsden, so to be asked to present to this year’s winner is truly an honour,” Fantuz said.

The Hec Crighton will be one of four CIS trophies awarded during the Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards, Thursday, November 24 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The Presidents’ Award (Defense), The Metras Award (Lineman) and the Gorman Trophy (Rookie) will also be presented.

Fantuz will also be on hand at various events during the Vanier Cup/Grey Cup week, including the Vanier Cup Champions Breakfast on Friday morning, where the Frank Tindall Award for the coach of the year will be awarded. He will also appear on the TSN panel for the Vanier Cup pre-game show.

Fantuz attended the University of Western Ontario from 2002 to 2005, where he established himself as one of the best receivers in Canadian Interuniversity Sport history. Fantuz was awarded the CIS Rookie of the Year award (Gorman Trophy) in 2002 with 1300 receiving yards - a single season record - and nine touchdowns. He finished his university career as the OUA and CIS leader with 189 receptions for 4,123 yards and 41 touchdown receptions.

He was a four-time CIS all-Canadian and four-time OUA all-star while being named to the first team all-Canadian in 2002, 2004, and 2005.

On the professional side, Fantuz is a six-year veteran of the Roughriders. In 78 games, he has amassed 289 receptions for 4,380 yards and 23 touchdowns.

In the 2007 Grey Cup he was named the Most Valuable Canadian after the Roughriders won their third championship.

In 2010, Fantuz was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian, after haling in 87 receptions for 1,380 yards and six touchdowns.

Source:

Jim Mullin