In a landmark season for Ottawa university football, both the uOttawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens have significant reason to celebrate as the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) unveiled their 2024 football major award winners and all-stars this week.
The announcement has sent waves of pride through the capital’s collegiate sports community, with standouts Mikhail Nembhard from uOttawa and Luigi Zagaria from Carleton earning top provincial recognition for their exceptional performances on the gridiron.
Nembhard, the dynamic Gee-Gees quarterback, claimed the prestigious Norm Marshall Trophy as the OUA’s Most Valuable Player, making him just the third player in uOttawa football history to receive this honor. His statistical achievements this season have been nothing short of remarkable, throwing for 2,187 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 379 rushing yards and three ground scores.
“This recognition feels incredible, but it’s really a team award,” said Nembhard during a media availability at uOttawa’s Lees Avenue campus. “My offensive line, receivers, coaches – they all made this possible. We’ve built something special here.”
The Brampton native’s dual-threat capabilities transformed the Gee-Gees offense this season, helping the team finish with a 7-1 regular season record and secure a playoff berth. His completion percentage of 67.8% ranked among the best in the conference, demonstrating both accuracy and decision-making prowess.
Not to be outdone, Carleton University’s Luigi Zagaria dominated the defensive side of the ball, earning the J.P. Metras Trophy as the OUA’s Most Outstanding Lineman. The 6’3″, 285-pound defensive tackle terrorized opposing offenses throughout the season, recording 5.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles.
“Luigi represents everything we want in a Raven,” noted Carleton head coach Nate Behar. “His work ethic, leadership and ability to change games from the interior defensive line position is something you rarely see at the university level.”
The individual honors extended beyond these major awards, with both schools well-represented on the OUA all-star teams. The Gee-Gees placed eight players on the first team and five on the second team, while Carleton secured four first-team selections and six second-team nods.
For Ottawa football historian Jeff Morris, who has covered university football in the capital for over three decades, this year’s recognition holds special significance.
“We’ve never had a season where both Ottawa schools had major award winners,” Morris explained from his home in Manotick. “This speaks to the quality of football being played here and the commitment these programs have made to development.”
The awards arrive at an interesting moment for university football in Ottawa. Attendance figures provided by both schools show growing interest, with uOttawa averaging 3,750 fans per home game this season – up nearly 15% from last year. Carleton similarly reported increases, with their homecoming game against Western drawing a record 4,200 spectators.
This success extends beyond the field, with both programs emphasizing academic achievement. According to data from the schools’ athletic departments, football players at both institutions maintained average GPAs above 3.0 last semester, with over 60% qualifying for academic honor rolls.
City Councillor Tim Tierney, whose Beacon Hill-Cyrville ward includes significant student housing, believes these achievements strengthen Ottawa’s reputation as a sports city.
“These young athletes are tremendous ambassadors for our community,” Tierney said. “Success like this not only brings pride but also economic benefits through increased game attendance and the visibility it brings to Ottawa.”
The recognition from the OUA places both Nembhard and Zagaria in contention for national awards, which will be announced later this month during the Vanier Cup festivities in Kingston. Should either claim a national honor, they would join rare company among Ottawa university football players.
Meanwhile, both programs continue their playoff pursuits, with uOttawa facing Western in a semifinal clash this weekend while Carleton prepares for a quarterfinal matchup against McMaster.
For longtime fans like Marilyn Kennedy, who hasn’t missed a Gee-Gees home game in 15 years, this season feels particularly special.
“I remember the lean years when we struggled to win games, let alone have players winning major awards,” Kennedy reminisced while wearing her vintage Gee-Gees scarf at a recent practice. “Seeing both schools doing well makes the whole city’s football community stronger.”
As Ottawa continues building its sporting identity beyond professional franchises like the Redblacks and Senators, these university achievements provide compelling evidence that the capital’s football future remains bright, with homegrown talent leading the way both on and off the field.
