HAMILTON, Ont. - Three finalists for the Dr. Ray Johnson Award have been announced by the McMaster University Department of Athletics & Recreation, with the award set to be handed out Thursday, April 8 at the virtual 97th Marauder Student-Athlete Awards Show, proudly supported by RBC.

The Dr. Ray Johnson Award is given to the graduating male athlete(s) who have radiated "the spirit of McMaster" throughout their time as a Marauder. Their positive attitude is reflected in their service to others, leadership and involvement in McMaster athletics activities. 

Each of the three finalists for the Dr. Ray Johnson Award have displayed extensive community involvement including volunteer work within the university and/or community, and are in their graduating year.

Dr. Ray Johnson Award Finalists

Kwasi Adu-Poku
Kinesiology - Men's Basketball

There are countless examples of how Kwasi has improved the McMaster Athletics community in the past five years, including being an active member with the McMaster Athletes Care outreach program, the Varsity Leadership Committee, as well as exemplary work as an athlete academic mentor, basketball camp counsellor and Joan Buddle Service Desk customer service representative. 

Kwasi has become a catalyst for change and has persistently pushed dialog & engaged the McMaster community by launching and hosting 'The Reach Series, a workshop series that promotes ways that help people find their self-worth.

His openness when speaking at a mental health panel for student-athletes in 2019 is an example of what sets himself apart. Discussing one's own mental health struggles is a challenge for anyone. Kwasi and his willingness to be vulnerable played a large role in the success of the event and created a safe space for all those that attended. 

Additionally, it was Kwasi's idea to include Black student groups on campus into the conversation that led to the Bridging the Gap: Black Student Leadership webinar. Bridging the Gap created more progressive dialogue and more public accountability for McMaster University as a whole. The event, which Kwasi also moderated, provided a platform for the general Black student population to feel heard and promoted a sense of connectedness between McMaster Athletics & the Black student community at McMaster.


Jordan Pereira
Commerce - Men's Volleyball

From the outset of his first season with the Marauders to his final year as a Marauder, Jordan Pereira has been the epitome of not only athletic excellence, but a shining example of what it means to be a Marauder. A 2016-17 OUA all-rookie team member in his first-year, Pereira has been a prominent figure with the MAC Athletes Care outreach program, as well as coaching in the community in a volunteer role with Eden High School.

A four-time academic all-Canadian, the commerce major has worked in the athletic department as part of the event staff, supporting the executing of Marauder basketball and football games. The fifth-year libero was the recipient of the OUA West Division 2020 Dale Iwanoczko Award of Merit, given to an athlete that exhibits a combination of excellence in academics, athletics, and community service.

Jordan is a former member of the 2016 Canadian Junior National Team, competed at the 2019 FISU Summer Universiade in Napoli, Italy, and was most recently selected as part of Volleyball Canada's 2021 National Excellence Program - a pathway to the senior National Team for players based in Canada.


Jakub Szott
Commerce - Football

Jakub Szott is described by head coach Stefan Ptaszek as the quintessential Marauder. During his time at McMaster University, he has become a leader both on and off the field. For the past three years Jakub has led the football team's Movember initiative, and this year helped the team raise more than $1,400 for the cause promoting men's mental and physical wellbeing.

As an upperclassman and team captain, Szott has taken an active role in immersing himself in the Hamilton community through volunteer work, visits to the McMaster Children's Hospital, Routes Youth Centre, and has been a driving force behind the Think Pink campaign as a member of the McMaster Varsity Leadership Committee.

After the pandemic cut his college playing career short, Szott took it upon himself to do whatever it took to get to the next level, and built himself a homemade cinderblock and concrete gym to prepare for the 2020 CFL draft, where he went 29th overall to the Ottawa Redblacks.

Szott was an OUA All-Star and a dominating presence on a Marauder offensive line that helped propel McMaster to the 2019 Yates Cup championship. 

--
 
Major award recipients will be announced at the 97th Marauder Student-Athlete Awards show. 

Coverage of the event on Thursday, April 8 will start at 7 p.m. on the McMaster Sports YouTube channel and feature student-athlete hosts Stacey Warner (women's rugby) and Brandon Bernard (men's basketball).