Media Release

For Immediate Release

November 7, 2008

Huskies coach, rookie take AUS football awards

Huskies head coach Steve Sumarah Huskies receiver and return specialist Jahmeek Murray

The proud tradition of Huskies football excellence grew again yesterday as Steve Sumarah and Jahmeek Murray took home major AUS awards.

Saint Mary's head coach Steve Sumarah was selected by his peers as the Atlantic conference Coach of the Year, and Saint Mary's receiver and return specialist Jahmeek Murray was named the 2008 Atlantic conference Rookie of the Year.

Atlantic University Sport (AUS) announced the awards yesterday and issued a news release. The awards are selected by the conference's four head coaches following regular season play.

Sumarah, now in his third year at the helm of the Huskies' program, led the team to a first place finish with a 7-1 regular season record, including a perfect 6-0 against Atlantic conference teams, despite losing the services of 2007 Hec Crighton Trophy winner Erik Glavic at quarterback. His Huskies still managed to lead the conference in scoring with 259 points while also allowing the fewest points against (168). This is the second consecutive season Sumarah has won the award.

Sumarah, a native of Halifax, is a former receiver at both St.FX and Saint Mary's, and has been a coach with the Huskies program for a total of 11 years. In 1999, he was chosen as the Football Nova Scotia Coach of the Year and in 2000, he was named the Atlantic University Sport Volunteer Coach of the Year as a member of Blake Nill's staff. In three seasons as head coach, Sumarah has compiled a 17-6 regular season record and is 20-8 overall, including post-season play.

Jahmeek Murray is a first-year student from Mississauga. He made an immediate impact with the Saint Mary's program, particularly on special teams, leading the conference in total kick return yards (360 yards) and kick return average (22.5 yards/return). He also ranked second in the CIS in both categories and was named the Atlantic University Sport special teams player of the week twice and CIS player of the week once this season.

According to the AUS news release, Murray finished second only to Mount Allison's Gary Ross in punt return yardage with 252 yards on 29 returns, for an average of 8.7 yards per return. He also added 34 yards rushing and 22 yards receiving on offence to give him a total of 668 all-purpose yards in 2008, the third highest total in the league.

"Jahmeek has a natural gift for running the football," said Huskies head coach Steve Sumarah in the AUS news release about the awards. "He is highly skilled and is developing into an all-around football player. His future is very bright not just as a returner but as a receiver as well."

Huskies kicker Justin Palardy was named the Atlantic conference Rookie of the Year in 2006.

All Atlantic University Sport major award winners automatically become finalists for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) awards to be handed out Thursday, Nov. 20, during Vanier Cup week in Hamilton.

The 2008 Subway Atlantic University Sport Championship, The Loney Bowl, is taking place this weekend at Huskies Stadium. The Saint Mary's Huskies (7-1) host the StFX X-Men (5-4) to battle for the Jewett Trophy, Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

The winner will advance to the Mitchell Bowl the following weekend in Ontario to face either the Western Mustangs or the Ottawa Gee-Gee's.

More information about the AUS 2008 awards is available at: http://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=840

-30-

For more information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca