Posted: Mar 16, 2016

AJAY SHARMA NAMED NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

WINDSOR, ON: Humber College fifth-year head coach Ajay Sharma has been selected as the 2016 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Coach of the Year. Sharma, who spent six seasons as the assistant coach for the men's team, is the second coach in program history to win national coach of the year honours.

The award is voted on by members of the CCAA committee once conference playoffs begin. The CCAA has presented a National Coach of the Year Award each year since the 1982-83 season and Sharma is only the sixth Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) coach to win this honour.

Nominees from the other four conferences were: Courtney Gerwig from Douglas College (PACWEST), Matt Gamblin from Mount Allison University (ACAA), Faisal Docter from Cégep de Trois-Rivières (RSEQ), and Chris King from Lakeland College (ACAC).

Consistently successful coaches sometimes get overlooked for these types of awards; however under Sharma's reign, the Hawks had a truly remarkable season. Not only did he lead the Hawks to their second consecutive OCAA championship – eighth in program history – but he did it in dominant fashion. The Hawks became the highest scoring program in OCAA history and completed the programs second-ever perfect season, finishing 21-0.

Humber's balanced scoring attack is among the best nationally with four players in double figures and two more just off the mark. Humber's biggest improvement this season came on the defensive side of the ball, leading the OCAA in defensive rebounds and blocked shots. The Hawks first ranked offence and second ranked defence makes Humber one of the most complete programs in the CCAA.

Sharma, 74-14 (.844) in five seasons, ranks second all-time in career win percentage behind Hall of Famer Jim Henderson (.921). Last season, Sharma took Humber to only their second CCAA final four appearance in program history.

The Hawks enter the CCAA national tournament as the No.2 seed and will play their first game Thursday afternoon against St. Mary's University. Game time is set for 3:00pm at St. Clair College.

AJAY SHARMA CAREER HONOURS (as of 3/16/2016)