Positional Year End Awards 2025

CUFLA, the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association, announces the winners of the 2025 Outstanding player awards. A year-end poll of the CUFLA head coaches indicated clear winners in the following positions:

Outstanding Attack of the Year - Jason Knox

Jason Knox, who attend St Andrews College in Aurora, and played minor lacrosse for the Huntsville Hawks, and Jr lacrosse for the Burlington Blaze, is a 1st year student athlete with the Nipissing Lakers, attending Teachers College. Knox graduated from the Ohio State University, where he also played lacrosse. In 13-games this season, Knox scored 40 goals and added 34 assists for a total of 74 points. He was also responsible for 4 game winning goals and a key piece of the Lakers' offence. Knox also plays for the Halifax Thunderbirds in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

Outstanding Midfielder of the Year - Zach Tarr

Zach Tarr is a 5th year graduate student at Nipissing University, attending Teachers College. Tarr grew up in Milton, Ontario. He played minor lacrosse for the Milton Mavericks and the Halton Hills Bulldogs. He was also a member of the Jr. B Bulldogs. A star Middie for the Lakers, Tarr tallied 39 goals and 35 assists, appearing in all 14 Nipissing games this season. Tarr shares the second place rank in total points this season (74) with teammate Jason Knox. The 2025 season saw Tarr produce 9 hat tricks and net 3 game-winning-goals.

Outstanding SSDM of the Year - Callum Jeffrey

Scarborough's Callum Jeffrey is a second year student at Nipissing University, attending Teachers College. Jeffrey is a graduate of Sir Oliver Mowat High School and previously attended Brock University. This Outstanding Defensive Middie was responsible for considerable offence in the 2025 season. Jeffrey scored 8 goals and added 5 assists for the Lakers. Jeffrey played minor lacrosse for the Toronto Stars and played Junior lacrosse for the West Durham Ironheads. Currently he plays in the Arena Lacrosse League for the Six Nations Snipers.

Outstanding Goalie of the Year - Logan Pagano

Logan Pagano is a 3rd year Marketing student at the University of Guelph. A graduate of St. Michael’s College School in Toronto, Pagano played minor lacrosse for the Toronto Beaches. Posting 11 wins in 12 starts for the 2025 Baggataway Champion Guelph Gryphons, Pagano posted a goals-against-average of 5.0 this season, allowing just 80 goals. His performance in the 2025 Baggataway Cup championship game will go down in history. Holding the high-scoring Nipissing Lakers to just 5 goals, during a blinding snowstorm, will be a great memory for many years throughout the league.

Outstanding Faceoff Specialist - Joe Columbus

Joe Columbus is a faceoff specialist from Fergus, Ontario. Studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Guelph, Columbus is a graduate of Center Wellington District High School. He played his minor lacrosse career with the Center Wellington Mohawks and Junior lacrosse for the K.W. Lacrosse Club. Appearing in 11 games this season for the Guelph Gryphons, Columbus had a career year at the faceoff dot. Winning far more possessions then he lost, Columbus also got on the score sheet with a goal and two assists this season.

Outstanding Defender of the Year - Nolan Schott

Nolan Schott is a 4th year defensive long pole from Port Perry, Ontario. He is also an anchor for the Baggataway Champion Guelph Gryphons' defence. Studying Criminal Justice & Public Policy, Schott dressed In 12 games this season, adding a goal and two assists to the U of G season total. He is a graduate of the Hill Academy High School.

Coaching Staff of the Year:

The Nipissing Lakers are coached by Jason Rudge (Head Coach), along with the Keagan Legere (Assistant Coach) and Josh Laporte (Assistant Coach). The Lakers stunned the lacrosse world when they opened their season with a 14-12 win over the heavily favoured Guelph Gryphons. The Lakers rode a 5-game winning streak to kick off the season and earned a spot in the Baggataway Cup tournament after a convincing 19-8 win over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. After eliminating heavyweights like Queen's University and the McGill Redbirds, the Lakers season came to an end against Guelph in the Baggataway Cup final. A poll of CUFLA head coaches has awarded the coaching staff at Nipissing University, the 2025 Coaching Staff of the Year Award.

Stadium of the Year - Varsity Stadium (University of Toronto)

A year end poll of CUFLA head coaches found that the favourite place for CUFLA teams to play on the road this season was Varsity Stadium in Toronto, home of the Varsity Blues. Varsity Stadium combines history, atmosphere, and top-tier facilities in one iconic venue. Its central location in the heart of the city creates an electric environment, drawing passionate fans and giving every game a big-stage feel. The stadium’s fast turf, excellent sightlines, and professional-level amenities help athletes perform at their best, while the surrounding campus energy adds to the excitement of game day.