Posted: Mar 20, 2023

Five Humber legends named to the OCAA Hall of Fame

TORONTO - Five Humber legends have been selected for induction into the OCAA Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The members of the class are: Kelsey Bardy (softball/rugby), Jason Mesa (soccer), Jessica O'Quinn (softball), Derrek Quinn (volleyball), and Ryan Willoughby (golf). This class will be recognized in the 10th OCAA Hall of Fame ceremony, to be held at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts in Windsor, Ont., on May 1st.

"This group ushered in the era of Humber Athletic excellence that we know today," said Ray Chateau, Humber director of athletics. "They helped create the blueprint for what it means to represent the H, excelling in their sport and the classroom. I look forward to welcoming them into the OCAA Hall of Fame."

The 2023 class combined to capture ten CCAA and 24 OCAA medals, including an astounding five national and 19 provincial titles.

The OCAA Hall of Fame was established in 2003. Including this year's induction, membership will expand to 452 individuals. The 2021 induction class was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with expanded classes planned in 2023 and 2025.

Humber will now have 48 members enshrined in the OCAA Hall of Fame.

Kelsey Bardy (Rugby/Softball | 2011-14)

Kelsey Bardy was the true epitome of a two-sport 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 multiple provincial titles and numerous league accolades.

Although women's rugby was her first sport of choice, her softball statistics jump off the page. Bardy 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.

Medals

2x OCAA Women’s Rugby Champion (’11, ’12)
2x OCAA Softball Provincial Champion (’12, ’13)
2013 OCAA Women’s Rugby Silver Medal

Accolades

2012 OCAA Softball Championship MVP
2011 OCAA West Division Rookie of the Year
3x OCAA Rugby All-Star (’11, ’12, ‘13)
2012 Humber Female Rookie of the Year
2013 OCAA Batting Title (.521)
2018 Humber Hall of Fame Inductee
Humber Athletics Top-50 Athlete
Humber Rugby Player of the Decade (2010-19)

Jason Mesa (Soccer | 1999-2002; 2003-04)

Jason Mesa arrived at Humber as the program began to compete on the provincial stage every season. From the beginning, Mesa displayed leadership qualities in a quiet and humble manner, and he understood the game so well that he was willing to play wherever needed.
He played numerous positions throughout his illustrious career, but once he became a fixture as a sweeper, his dominance on the pitch began to emerge. His steadiness and composure on Humber’s backline gave the whole team confidence. His quiet leadership united the team, and his humbleness let others take the credit.

Despite playing a position that received little to no recognition, Mesa quietly led the Hawks to the program's second national title in 2001, as Humber only surrendered one tally in six postseason matches.

Mesa rejoined the Hawks in 2007, this time as an assistant coach, and has been a consistent fixture ever since. He has played a major role in helping the Hawks capture eight CCAA national titles and 12 OCAA outdoor gold medals since joining the coaching staff.

Medals

2001 CCAA National Champion
2000 CCAA Bronze Medal
2x OCAA Provincial Champion (’00, ’01)
1999 OCAA Silver Medal
3x OCAA Provincial Champion – Indoor (‘’01, ’02, ’04)
2000 OCAA Bronze Medal – Indoor

Accolades

2000 CCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
2000 OCAA League All-Star
2009 Humber Hall of Fame Inductee
Humber Athletics Top-50 Influential

Jessica O'Quinn (Softball | 2011-14)

Jessica O'Quinn burst onto the OCAA softball scene in 2011 and quickly became the face and best player of the newly formed Hawks squad. Over her three years as the leader of the Humber softball team, she was the top pitcher, batter and positional player.

A natural outfielder, she moved to shortstop and ultimately the circle, where she became one of the top pitchers in Humber history - although she did not throw an inning for years before joining the Hawks. A silver medal performance in the team's first year was followed up with back-to-back OCAA championship titles.

During Humber's championship runs in 2012 and 2013, O'Quinn hit .435 with eight RBIs in eight games, earning three wins in the circle - including the 2012 championship final against Durham.

Statistically, 2012 was O'Quinn's best season, where she led the league with a .591 batting average and 29 RBIs, while finishing with a 5-0 record in 37.1 innings of work to become the first player in team history to earn the conference player of the year award.

A three-time league all-star, O'Quinn finished her career ranked in the top two in virtually every pitching and batting category for Humber softball.

Medals

2x OCAA Provincial Champion ('12, '13)
2011 OCAA Silver Medal

Accolades

2012 OCAA Player of the Year
2013 OCAA Championship MVP
3x OCAA League All-Star ('11, '12, '13)
2012 OCAA Batting Champion (.591)
2016 Humber Hall of Fame Inductee
Humber Softball Player of the Decade (2010-19)
Humber Athletics Top-50 Athlete
2x Humber Softball Team MVP ('12, '13)

Derek Quinn (Volleyball | 2008-13)

Derek Quinn was the Hawks' starting setter for all five seasons that he donned the navy and gold. He was the quarterback of the squads during the golden age of Humber men's volleyball, a successful time that has not yet been duplicated.

On the court, he dictated the flow of the match, involving all the offensive talent surrounding him, leading to a 70-16 (.814) record during the OCAA regular season. This dominance bred winning, which translated into championships. In fact, three OCAA titles and the program's first-ever CCAA national crown left no doubt he was the key to this success.

Despite helping his teammates capture two OCAA scoring titles, he brought more to the table. Quinn led the team in services aces twice, where he retired with the second-most in team history. Defensively he was just as sound, racking up the most career digs for a Hawk.

Often overshadowed by the big personalities around him, Quinn made his presence felt in the biggest moments. As a setter, he was recognized by the conference as the best player at the provincial championship tournament, twice earning the championship most valuable player honours.

Medals

2012 CCAA National Champion
3x OCAA Provincial Champion ('10, '11, '12)

Accolades

2013 CCAA Academic All-Canadian
2x OCAA Championship MVP ('11, '12)
2010 OCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
3x OCAA League All-Star ('11, '12, '13)
2016 Humber Hall of Fame Inductee
Humber Athletics Top-50 Athlete

Ryan Willoughby (Golf | 2005-09)

Having failed to make the Hawks as a freshman in 2004, Ryan Willoughby spent a year diligently working on his ball striking.

By the fall season of 2005, the Sudbury native was unquestionably one of the best ball strikers to ever compete in the OCAA. Willoughby consistently performed for the Hawks with individual CCAA medal performances in 2006 and 2009.

In 2007 he helped Humber golf capture its second RCGA title, firing a two-under-par tournament as the Hawks combined to shoot a program-record 18-under-par during the four-day event.

A quiet leader, Willoughby led by example, particularly in his final season when he led the Hawks to their seventh national championship in 2009. His final round birdies on the first and third holes opened a lead over Champlain St. Lawrence that would not be relinquished.