On March 5, the Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association (OCAA) announced the athletes, coaches and builders who will be inducted into the 2019 OCAA Hall of Fame – two of which were NC’s-own Ray Sarkis, builder and intercollegiate coordinator, and Kaitlyn McKenna, alumnus and former Knights women’s basketball standout.
Sarkis and McKenna are among 25 individuals who will be recognized in the ninth OCAA Hall of Fame ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday, May 8.
“This is an incredible achievement for Ray and Kaitlyn, both of whom are outstanding in their own rights, have the utmost of respect from their peers, and have wholly earned this recognition,” said Michele O’Keefe, NC’s associate director, Athletics and Recreation. “Their win is a win for the NC Knights family.”
Ray Sarkis
Long-time member of the NC athletics community and Leamington, Ontario native, Sarkis recently celebrated his 40th year with the Knights. Sarkis has been involved with the OCAA from the start of his career. Sarkis began his long tenure in 1996 when he became the OCAA men’s volleyball senior convenor. In 2003, his role with the OCAA grew as he assumed the role of inaugural vice-president of the OCAA board of directors. Sarkis held the position for two years before becoming president of the board until 2007.
Despite a passion for all sports, Sarkis’s heart lies with volleyball. Eight-years and going strong, Sarkis holds the position of men’s volleyball national convenor for the CCAA.
On May 8, Sarkis will have his legacy of dedication and passion for sport enshrined in the OCAA Hall of Fame.
Kaitlyn McKenna
McKenna, now a proud NC alumnus, played five seasons for the NC Knights (2005-2011) earning the title of MVP four times. From NC Rookie of the Year to CCAA All-Canadian (and the first female NC athlete to hold the title) and many other awards in between, McKenna is one of the most decorated Niagara College athletes of all time.
Through five seasons, McKenna always finished near the top of the OCAA leaderboards in scoring, and in 2007-2008, played her most dominating season when she led the OCAA with 230 points. At the end of her career wearing navy and white for the Knights, McKenna came in with an all-time leading sore of 970 points.
To top it all off, KcKenna was a top-tier student in the General Arts and Science and Business Accounting programs, named both an OCAA All-Academic and a CCAA All-Academic while at NC.
McKenna will join Lois Stoorza as the only NC women’s basketball players to ever be inducted into the OCAA Hall of Fame.
