Since 1995, The Golden Horseshoe Athlete of the Year Award has recognized the Burlington and Greater Hamilton Area's top athlete. A committee of ten people narrow the list of nominations down to a select number of finalists and this year McMaster defensive back Joey Cupido is among a group of four outstanding local athletes that have made the final list of nominees for the 2014 award.
 
Cupido was nominated for his exploits on the football field for the Marauders and for his efforts as a lacrosse player for the Colorado Mammoths of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Waterloo Kodiaks of the Major Series Lacrosse League.
 
On the gridiron Cupido enjoyed a sensational season and was a key contributor toward the Marauders winning the 2014 Yates Cup (OUA) championship and advancing to the Vanier Cup.   In his fifth season as a cornerback on the McMaster defense,  Cupido was named a first-team OUA All-Star and was selected a CIS All-Canadian for the second time in his varsity career.  He was named the MVP of the OUA championship game, making two interceptions in McMaster's 20-15 victory over Guelph.
 
Cupido is the only male nominee in this year's group of finalists, and is joined for consideration by Olympic hockey player Laura Fortino, Canadian fencing champion Eleanor Harvey, and national team basketball phenom Kia Nurse.
 
Several prominent McMaster athletes have been nominated for the Golden Horseshoe Athlete of the Year award over the 20 years since its inception.  Past winners from McMaster include:  Joanne Malar, Swimming (1995, 1999, and 2000), Titus Channer, Basketball (1998), Jesse Lumsden, Football (2004) and Kyle Quinlan, Football (2011).
 
The award was named the Bill Sturrup Award in honour of the longtime Hamilton broadcaster and public address announcer, who was on the microphone in support of sports events across the great Hamilton area for many years, and who passed away in 2007.
 
The recipient of this prestigious award will be announced and presented to at the 30^th Annual Catholic Youth Organization (C.Y.O.) Children's Fundraiser Dinner on Thursday February 26, 2015, at the Hamilton Convention Centre.