The 2025 Providence Pilots Athletics Banquet was a night to remember, filled with pride, celebration, and heartfelt recognition. Held on campus, athletes, coaches, staff, and supporters came together to honour a year marked by dedication, achievement, and community.

The evening kicked off with an atmosphere of excitement as guests reflected on a successful year for the Pilots! 

Four teams brought championship glory to Providence: Women's Soccer, Men's Basketball, Men's Volleyball, and Women's Volleyball all captured league titles, solidifying Providence's place as a powerhouse in collegiate athletics.

Academic excellence also took the spotlight, as 76 student-athletes were honoured for achieving a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the academic year. These scholar-athletes have proven that success at Providence goes beyond athletics, showcasing a strong balance between sport and study.

Each team celebrated standout contributors with their annual Team Awards, honouring players in categories like Most Improved Player, Leadership, Defensive Player, and Most Valuable Player. These awards highlighted the unique roles each athlete plays in pushing their teams to success.

Scholar Athlete of the Year 
Coach's Comments: 

"Maddie has exemplified the balance of excellence in both academics and athletics, earning her this prestigious Award. With an outstanding GPA, she has demonstrated remarkable dedication and intelligence in her academic pursuits, maintaining near-perfect grades throughout her academic career." 

"Beyond the classroom, Maddie has been an essential part of our team. Her unwavering commitment to both her studies and her sport has set a high standard for her teammates, inspiring them to strive for excellence in all areas. On the court, her work ethic and skill have played a pivotal role in our team's success this season, while her academic achievements reflect her discipline, time management, and perseverance." 

"Maddie's ability to excel in both demanding fields is a testament to her hard work, focus, and passion. She is a shining example of what it means to be a scholar and an athlete, and her impact on both her team and her academic community are quite incredible." Kyle Guenther 

Difference-Maker Award
Coach's Comments: 

"If I think of a difference maker Providence has developed, I think of Holly. She is a stucco member, student worker, soccer player, and leads and commits well to the growth of the providence community is a thousand ways. If fall, 2024 holly lead a student field ed project called walk by faith. This project involved men's and women's soccer teams, as well as others on campus to help make, and produce bagged meals for people in need in downtown Winnipeg. Holly is normally the first to volunteer, serve and help out her team and providence community. In the month of February was heavily involved with black history month, and is constantly showing Christ's love and commitment to service everywhere on campus. Holly is a difference maker. Not only have we seen her grow and develop on the soccer field we have seen her grow and flourish in her character and faith and is truly amazing to see. Holly was awarded true sport for MCAC, and also I have nominated her for the CCAA Torchbearer scholarship. She is a joy to have on this team, and for sure a joy to have on this campus and providence community." 

Female Rookie Pilot of the Year
Coach's Comments: 

"At 5'0" tall Fiona Garcia led our team in scoring with 11.45 ppg. She received MCAC All-Conference, NIAC All-Conference and NCCAA All-Region 2nd team. She had 25 steals, 2.05 AST/G, she made 42 threes and shot 32% from three, leading our team in that area. Aside from leading our team in some of the most influential statistical areas, Fiona is an incredibly hard worker who has put in the maximum effort to become the player she is. Fiona is one of the most dynamic players I have ever coached. Her ability to get to the rim is second to none. Fiona can also play much bigger than her small stature would make you believe. I remember our last bucket against UofW in a preseason game. Fiona backed down the biggest player on UofW and posted her up. She is a fantastic student with excellent grades and has proven to be an ambassador of athletics within the Providence community, through growing friendships with non-athletes and participating in residence life. I am very proud to have had the opportunity to coach Fiona and I wish her the very best moving forward! Congratulations Fiona on your well-deserved recognition."

Male Rookie Pilot of the Year
Coach's Comments: 

"I am so proud of Braden and the impact he has had on our program in year one! Braden, also known as "No days off Braden" or the "Bakers," has established himself very early on as a key contributor to our team. He brought shooting, ball handling, and a big dose of positivity and joy to the group. Braden is a very enjoyable player to coach, and his great character shines on and off the court. Often a voice to be heard in meetings, he had the courage to share his mind and point of view at key moments of the season and earned the trust and respect of his teammates and the coaching staff. Braden was a key piece in our NIAC Championship, knocking down a very important 3 points at the end of the first half in our finals against CMU. He gave us a 1-point lead, which would become the only point needed to win our first NIAC banner. Braden is also dedicated to his faith and relationship with Jesus, which he shared openly with his teammates. It feels like everybody knows Braden at Providence, and I keep hearing from various people how pleasant he is to work with, and how much of a positive member of the Providence community he is already. Congratulations, Braden!"

Female Pilot of the Year 
Coaches Comments:

"Tyra's remarkable performance throughout this season has once again earned her the MCAC Player of the Year award and a CCAA All-Canadian selection. With her skill, determination, and power, Tyra has proven to be an invaluable asset to our team, making an indelible mark on the court, especially when it mattered most. 

From the start of the season, Tyra was a force to be reckoned with. Her dynamic presence on the court commanded attention as she showcased a versatile skill and the ability to elevate her teammates' performance. Her athleticism and volleyball IQ were on full display every match that led to leading the MCAC in all offensive categories. What was even more impressive was seeing Tyra take her game to another level when we were out of province. It's been evident she is one of the best in Manitoba, but to go out to Ontario twice and be a dominant among some of the best players in the country was a real treat to watch. 

What truly set Tyra apart, however, was her consistency and poise under pressure. In key moments—whether it was during critical matches or tight sets—she stepped up in ways that turned the tide in our favor. Her ability to execute under pressure made her the go-to player when the game was on the line. Being named MCAC Player of the Year speaks volumes about Tyra's overall impact and her ability to dominate in all facets of the game. To do this 2 years in a row is simply remarkable. Tyra's dedication to excellence, both on and off the court, has made her a standout in her league. Her hard work, passion for the sport, and commitment to her team have set a high standard for others to follow. Tyra's season has been a true reflection of her exceptional talent, relentless drive, and amazing character. She didn't just play the game—she changed it, making her a deserving recipient of the Pilot of the Year honor." Kyle Guenther

Male Pilot of the Year 
Coach's Comments: 

"I have worked with Riley for 4 years now. Each year has been very different, but Riley's leadership has been a recurring theme his entire time at Providence. Early on, I told Riley that his impact on others was either way positive or negative, and that a leader simply couldn't afford to turn off their leadership. Leaders have a responsibility to use their talents and voices to impact the people around them. It took 4 years for Riley to fully grow and mature in his leadership, but I am so proud of the young man that he is today! Failure is part of the journey, and Riley has gone through many hardships and mistakes on his path to be a better teammate and man, but he has always been committed to the process and challenge. 

On the court, it is undeniable that Riley impacted our program in big ways. He received many awards and led the team in multiple categories each year. But beyond that, his basketball IQ has always been a strength of his. He understands the game and the adjustments that can be made and has a great mind for the game. This year, I believe he tried to put other players in a position to benefit from it, sharing some of his knowledge with them to allow them to shine.  I've also seen tremendous growth in Riley's faith journey and relationship with Jesus. Our latest discussions have been so encouraging to me, and I'm so excited for him to keep growing as a Christian and soon husband to Taylor. Thank you for all your years of hard work and dedication, Riley, your contribution to this program will be forever part of our history."