ETOBICOKE, Ont – Since 1967 Humber Athletics continues its tradition into the 21st century as having the most successful collegiate sports history of any college in Canada.
Humber has steadily moved to the awards forefront of collegiate athletics by winning a record number of OCAA and CCAA medals. This would never have been possible if it was not for the exceptional student-athletes, coaches, and staff who have represented the Hawks.
Ten distinguished Hawks have been selected as members of the Humber Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Official induction ceremonies will take place on November 24, and the group will be honoured prior to the Fanshawe-Humber men's volleyball match that day.
The members of the Class of 2018 are: Kelsey Bardy (rugby/softball), Jim Bialek (builder), Laura Bye (women's volleyball), Alex Dumais (golf), Jadwey Hemmings (men's basketball), Keyla Moreno (women's soccer), Ceejay Nofuente (women's basketball), Mario Orestano (men's soccer), Gerard Peltier (hockey), and Sonia Rocha (women's soccer).
The Hall of Fame class includes nine Hawks who have totalled seven CCAA National Championships, ten CCAA All-Canadian honours, and 37 OCAA Provincial Championships, combined.
Following are biographies on the 2018 Humber Athletics Hall of Fame members:
Kelsey Bardy (Rugby/Softball, 2011-14)
Kelsey was the true epitome of a two-sport star student-athlete. She excelled on both the rugby pitch and the softball diamond, playing at the highest level as an athlete while providing leadership to her teammates and commitment to her coaches. Her accolades mirror each other in both sports, winning championships in both while being recognized as the best player of her team at the rugby and softball championships. Although women's rugby was her first sport of choice, individual statistics were not available, but her softball ones are, and they jump off the page. She is Humber's all-time leader in batting average with a .537 career mark, which includes an incredible average of .640 during the 2012 season.
Jim Bialek (Builder, 1981 - Present)
The man behind the scenes of Humber College athletics for nearly four decades, Jim Bialek left Windsor in 1979 to attend Humber College, joining the athletics staff as a student. He eventually rose to the position of Manager Athletics/Sports Information Director; however, his job title doesn't begin to reflect on the wide-ranging effects he had on Humber's athletic program.
Jim expanded his responsibilities into the digital age, adding the humberhawks.ca website, multiple social media channels and the ever-growing Hawks Sports Network video operations. The network was responsible for the introduction of video opportunities to scores of Hawks fans, and now boasts the largest live stream playlist in the CCAA.
For over three decades he served the OCAA in numerous roles, including sitting on the OCAA Executive for the past ten years, and becoming the first non-athletic director to be named OCAA President in 2013.
Laura Bye (Women's Volleyball, 2008-13)
Laura was one of the first Hawks players to win OCAA gold in every year she donned the Humber uniform. Her contributions are unique and displayed the type of team player she was to these successful teams. Upon arrival in 2008, she was a highly touted outside hitter with an incredible defensive upside. Her exploits led the Hawks to success, and she was recognized for her efforts by being selected as the 2009-10 OCAA Championship MVP. In a selfless move, Laura accepted a change to the libero position and quickly became the best defensive player in the league, actually defining that role for years to come. Her play helped the Hawks to another three OCAA crowns.
Alex Dumais (Men's Golf, 2009-14)
Alex experienced more team success on the provincial and national stage than almost any player in Canadian collegiate sports history, and it bears worth repeating. His teams won five consecutive OCAA titles and four straight CCAA national crowns -- coming close to a fifth -- as they grabbed silver in his last year. He did garner individual podiums along the way, but his efforts were going well beyond that of the individual leaderboard. His round by round score was reliably counted in the team numbers in each and every outing. This consistent production pushed the Hawks to the top of the team standings, with Alex sometimes having to alter his individual game in the best interest of team success. A true team player.
Jadwey Hemmings (Men's Basketball, 2005-10)
Jadwey sat upon the OCAA podium in four of his five years as a Hawk, winning gold on three occasions. The medals around his neck were the result, but it was the journey that tells his story. To become a champion and all-star – in his case, a five-time all-star - it takes something special to get recognized. And, to get the type of accolades that was bestowed upon him from his role on the court is truly unique. He was the best defensive player on the court for all five years, consistently guarding the best player on the opposition. His selfless efforts in this role made him an impact player, but the addition of a fine scoring touch and incredible leadership on and off the court has made him a Hall of Famer.
Keyla Moreno (Women's Soccer, 2008-13)
Keyla was a once in a decade, or possibly more, student-athlete. Her skill set was as good as any other women's soccer player in history, a true sniper. Beyond the goals, which, by the way, are the second most in Hawks history (37), it was her ability to control and then take over a match at any moment. In her five years, which included four outdoor and four indoor titles, she was recognized as the best player in the championships four times. Her career was highlight by her 2009 selection as the CCAA Player of the Year.
Ceejay Nofuente (Women's Basketball, 2013-18)
The CCAA may never again see a student-athlete dominate a team sport for as long and as masterfully as Ceejay Nofuente. From the time she stepped onto the court, the five-foot-eight cerebral point guard established herself as one of the game's most talented and recognizable figures.
A three-time CCAA Player of the Year, Ceejay transformed Humber basketball into a national power, leading the Hawks to two CCAA National Championships. She left the program as the all-time leader in points (1,254), assists (489), steals (391), and blocked shots (58), and finished with a career record of 100 wins and three losses – 89-0 in OCAA play.
Mario Orestano (Men's Soccer, 2008-12; 2013-14)
Mario's soccer career falls under the category of unfinished business. Already a multiple gold medal winner with multiple championship MVP awards to his credit, he was missing the elusive CCAA national gold to his trophy case. After a year away from the program, Mario returned in the 2013-14 season. He was not only recognized by his peers as a CCAA All-Canadian, but he and his teammates also went on to capture the CCAA Men's Soccer championship. Mario was a huge contributor and like a puppeteer, he consistently controlled the play throughout the matches from his spot in the middle of the pitch.
Gerard Peltier (Men's Hockey, 1986-88)
Gerard came to Humber with as good a hockey resume ever seen in college hockey circles in Canada. He is a former professional player, with a Memorial Cup in Junior Hockey to his credit playing with Cornwall. At Humber, he was everything his resume indicated and so much more. He was the best player on one of the top teams in the nation, and arguably the best to ever put on a Humber jersey. The accolades bestowed upon him were many, and well deserved. He was a swift puck mover, with great speed and vision. And, simply put, he was tough. Whether it was fear, or simply respect, he had an edge that no one in the league chose to challenge.
Sonia Rocha (Women's Soccer, 2008-13)
Sonia, a key member of the Hawks soccer program during its best run in history, enters the Humber Varsity Hall of Fame as one of the hardest working student-athletes to don the blue and gold. Match in and match out, on both the outdoor and indoor pitch, she combined excellence with a never-say-die approach. After her first two years of outstanding play, the league stood up and took notice, placing significant individual honours on her shoulders during her last three years. But, as all great and humble athletes do, she continues to highlight the ten OCAA medals her teams attained - eight of them gold over her five years as a Hawk - not the incredible personal accomplishments.
