For the first time in ten years, a student-athlete with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack has won a major University Sports Award.
  Micheal Rouault, a fifth year member of the WolfPack  men's basketball team has captured the 2019-20 Ken Shields Community Service Award.

The Award is given out by USPORTS for the men's basketball player who excels on the court, in the classroom and the community.

Rouault, a native of Vernon, BC  was honored at the U SPORTS men's basketball nationals awards banquet in Ottawa, Ontario on Thursday (Mar 4).  He beat out representatives from the OUA, RSEQ and AUS conferences.

"It is a big honor to be recognized among all the university athletes in Canada," said Rouault after winning the award.
Rouault was one of the WolfPack team captains the past two seasons.  

On the court this season,  Rouault was sixth in Canada West in total rebounds (177) and defensive rebounds (6.4),   seventh in rebounds per game (8.8), 10 th in offensive rebounds (2.5), 13^th in both steals (1.6 per game) and blocks (0.7) per game, 19^th in Canada West in field goal per cent (49.5), 25^th in assists (2.9 per game) and 27 th in points per game (13.7).

In the classroom, he is on his way to being a five time U SPORTS Academic All Canadian as he is poised to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree this spring.  He is also one of the leaders of the WolfPack's PACE program which is designed to help student athletes with their studies.

He is a two time winner of the Cliff Neufeld student/athlete leadership award and captured the Doctor Roger H. Barnsley Scholar/Athlete award last year.
Rouault's community work also includes coaching basketball with the Special Olympics, coordinating the team's community events which include Terry Fox Runs in the community and in elementary schools, the Raise A Reader fundraiser for literacy programs in Kamloops, serving lunch during the holiday season at the Mustard Seed and being a part of the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation Radio thon.    He is also one of the key student leaders of the PACE program, which is designed to help WolfPack athletes deal with the rigors of studying and athletics.

"it is great giving back and spending time in the community," Rouault explained about how he got involved in community work. "My brothers and sister in law are involved in the Special Olympics.  It is nice when I get a chance to come and help out and coach for a little bit."

He added it was easy to get his WolfPack teammates involved in the various community initiatives in Kamloops. "They are always excited to help out and be a part of the community so it was easy to get them involved."

Rouault credits his ability to be a student-athlete and community volunteer to being able to manage his time effectively.

WolfPack Athletics and Recreation Director Curtis Atkinson stated, " We are so proud of Micheal's deserving recognition as the national Ken Shields Award recipient. There are many amazing student-athletes in the country who are contributing in meaningful ways to their communities and Micheal has proven that he is the full package when it comes to academic success, athletic contributions, and his desire to give back the community. To be recognized on the award that is named after one of the basketball legends in our country is an amazing accomplishment for Micheal. He has represented our institution so well and we know he will continue to have a positive impact and make a difference in people's lives as he moves into a new chapter in his life. "

TRU men's basketball coach Scott Clark has a personal connection to Ken Shields and is happy that Rouault won the award.  He says the two have a lot of similarities, " When I was attending the University of Victoria, I was on the junior varsity team and Ken was the head coach of the varsity team.  Later when I worked with the national team, Ken was the head coach.  I have known him for a long time. Ken is a man that set a very high standard for his teams performance but also as the way his players conducted themselves and the men they have become.  In fact,  one of our assistant coaches Quinn Groenhyde who played for Ken and went onto do some great things not only athletically but also going up north and being a big part of the community there. That is what Ken was a basketball coach and a basketball player (he was very accomplished as a player in Prince Rupert).  For Micheal to be named in the same breath as Ken is a very high distinction. It is an award that means you are a man of high character, integrity and ability."

Rouault's future plans are to enter Law School.

Rouault leaves the Thompson Rivers basketball program as the all time leader in minutes played (2560), second in games started (63), rebounds (698), free throws (201) and steals (109), third  in most assists (183) , field goals (361 in 97 games)and blocks (44), fourth in points (951)  and fifth in rebounds per game (698-7.2 per game).

Nominees
CW: Michael Rouault, Thompson Rivers (Winners)
OUA: Litha Ncanisa, Laurentian
RSEQ: Sam Jenkins, McGill
AUS: Forest Mahoney, Acadia
 
Here is a list of the other National award winners as both the men's and women's basketball nationals are being held in Ottawa:
 
 Forwards Jenna Mae Ellsworth of the UPEI Panthers and Brett Layton of the Calgary Dinos were honoured with the Nan Copp Award and Mike Moser Memorial Trophy as U SPORTS basketball Players of the Year Wednesday night, as the national award winners were celebrated at the joint All-Canadian Gala.
 
With the honour, Mae Ellsworth became the final member of the Top 100 players of the century, in celebration of the centennial anniversary of U SPORTS women's basketball.
 
Guards Jael Kabunda of Bishop's and Lloy Pandi of Carleton captured the Kathy Shields Award Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy as Rookies of the Year, while Western forward Julia Curran and Thompson Rivers guard Michael Rouault earned the Sylvia Sweeney and Ken Shields Awards for Student-Athlete Community Service for their outstanding contribution both on and off the court.
Forwards Khaléann Caron-Goudreau of Laval and Lock Lam of Lakehead took home Defensive Players of the Year honours, while bench bosses Mike Rao of Brock and Dalhousie's Rick Plato received the Peter Ennis Award and Stuart W. Aberdeen Memorial Trophy as Fox 40 Coaches of the Year.
Finally, Manitoba forward Addison Martin received the Tracy McLeod Award for her courage in overcoming adversity.