Former Mustang football head coach Darwin Semotiuk will be honored Jan. 18 at the 54th annual Rogers Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction as Sports Person of the Year.
Semotiuk, a Kinesiology professor at Western, says the news “came out of the blue” and he is delighted by the honour.
“I’m very honored by the recognition,” he says. “It’s a very nice award that is coming my way and I am absolutely thrilled with it.”
Semotiuk, who coached the Mustangs from 1975-1983, led Western to back-to-back Vanier Cup titles, along with four Yates Cup titles and two additional Vanier Cup appearances. During his seven-year stretch as head coach, Western went 64-14.
Semotiuk, who received the Ontario Coach of the Year in 1976 and 1981, along with the Frank Tindall Trophy for top Canadian university coach in 1976, has the best home winning percentage (.863) in Mustang football coaching history.
While the award is extraordinary, he is happy to see the money raised from the dinner help the local community. Funds raised from this year’s event will benefit Thames Valley Children’s Centre and Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic.
“It’s a superb event that raises funds to give back to this community, and particularly acknowledge individuals within the community who are challenged. And that, in and of itself, is very heartwarming.”
Celebrity athletes confirmed for the event include former NHLers Craig Simpson, Dennis Hull and Pete Mahovlich, Toronto Maple Leaf Mike Van Ryn, London Knights Nazem Kadri, ice dancers Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, Olympic heptathlete Jessica Zelinka, rowing star Marnie McBean and race pilot Pete McLeod.
Tickets are available at the Centennial Hall box office (519-672-1967) or online at centennialhall.london.ca. Price is $150 for adults and $75 for 17 and under.