Sam, a Sports Scholar at Lincoln University in the first year of a Bachelor of Science degree, grew up in a farming family in the Manawatu and attended Feilding High School where he captained the 1st XV. He’s the son of a NZ Colts representative, grandson of an All Black, and brother of two provincial representatives, so has a great rugby pedigree.
Sam, who plays at lock, won the Sports Person of the Year award from a field of nine at the 2008 Lincoln University Awards held on the campus on 17 September.
Awards ceremony MC Malcolm Ellis said that being part of a World Cup winning team - the New Zealanders won the World Junior Tournament - tipped the decision Sam’s way in a competitive field of achievers from several sports.
It was a winning night for Sam on three fronts - he also collected the Rugby Sports Scholarship Student of the Year Award and a Lincoln University Rugby Blue.
Those awarded Lincoln University Blues for sporting achievement were -
Kendra Cocksedge, women’s rugby; Nicholas McLennan, James Paterson, Geoffrey Smith
Sam Whitelock, all rugby; Laura Hayes, netball umpiring; Dale Harrop, ice hockey (the youngest member of the New Zealand Ice Hockey Team); Michael Peacock, cricket; and Anna Wetherall, hockey.
Gold Awards, for outstanding contributions to Lincoln University club, cultural or community affairs, were presented to -
Amphun Chaiboonchoe, Thai Club; Jessica Gardyne, Christian Fellowship; Ivy Harper, Te Awhioraki; Hannah Presswood, Food Appreciation Club; Lynne Robertson, Burwood Garden Club; Lori Strickert and Graham Strickert, Postgraduate Conference; Eapen Thomas, Malaysian Students’ Society.
The Alpine Club Award for outstanding contributions was made to club president Steele Taylor.
Awards for the top Sports Scholarship students went to -
Chris Goldsbury, hockey; Laura Hayes, netball; Kristian Hutton, soccer; Martin Kain, cricket; Natalia Sydorenko, golf; Sam Whitelock, rugby.
Awards to the most promising future leaders from among the Future Leaders Scholarship holders went to -
Chelsea Mudge (first year), Katherine Page (second year), Katie Collins (third year).
Green Awards for Teaching and Support Excellence were made to -
Sarah Currie, Alumni Association Manager, Support Person of the Year; Dr Warwick Scott, Teacher of the Year, Agriculture and Life Sciences Division; Dr Rob Cruickshank, Teacher of the Year, Bio-Protection and Ecology Division; Professor Ken Hughey, Teacher of the Year, Environment, Society and Design Division; Associate Professor Sidney Weil, Teacher of the Year, Commerce Division.
A special Alumni Association award of Cricket Blues was made to all the members of the 1968 Lincoln College 1st Cricket XI. These players survived the sinking of the inter-island ferry Wahine while on their way to a New Zealand Universities Easter Tournament in Palmerston North.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ian Collins
Communications Group
Lincoln University
Tel: (03) 3252811 ext 8549
Email: collinsi@lincoln.ac.nz