The Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks’ football team has a lot to celebrate after two of their received big awards. Receiver Ethan Jordan won the Hec Crighton Trophy as the most outstanding player in U Sports football this season. Meanwhile head coach Michael Faulds was names as the recipient of the Frank Tindall Trophy as coach of the year. Jordan received his award at a banquet in Regina on Thursday. “For receivers to win it, it’s not easy,” Jordan told CTV News. “Your stats have to be great. There can’t really be another quarterback competing with really good stats either, because they’re normally going to lean towards the quarterback and give it to him. It’s just one of those awards where, as a receiver, you kind of have to luck out in a way or have an extraordinary season. But obviously it’s a short list. I’m extremely honored.” The four-time Ontario University Athletics (OUA) all star and three time U Sports all Canadian from Chatham set several records this season. His career high 1,066 receiving yards this season lead the country. Jordan broke Laurier’s career receiving yards record and career receiving touchdowns record this season. He also set a new OUA career catches record and he now has the second-most career yards and receiving touchdowns in OUA history. “Obviously, the touchdowns are great, but the receiving yards – it carries the most weight to me,” Jordan said. The Ottawa Redblacks draft pick is the second consecutive Hec Crighton winner from Laurier, following quarterback Taylor Elgersma last year. “To have it at Laurier back-to-back years it’s incredibly special,” Jordan said. Jordan is the third Golden Hawk and the first receiver from Laurier to win the trophy. “To be able to do it at Laurier and be the first one to do it, I’m just so grateful and, obviously shout out my coaches, my teammates, to be able to get me to this position,” Jordan said. “There’s running a 40 speed, which he had one of the fastest at the CFL combine last year, but then there’s also game speed,” Faulds said. “Each and every week when you put on the tape, defenders would take an angle of where they thought they were going to meet Ethan Jordan and make the tackle, and he would just burst past that angle. He had big plays in each and every game that he played in this year.” Faulds own win marks his third recognition. He also won the Frank Tindall Trophy last year. “I’ve always deflected and said it’s for staff of the year. But to be recognized, across all of Usports football, is special,” he reflected. “I think it’s big for our university. It’s big for our football program.” Faulds led the Golden Hawks to their second straight undefeated season. The 42-year-old got his 61st career regular season coaching win in his 12th year at Laurier. He is now second all-time in football coaching wins in school history. “Obviously we would trade it in for more Yates Cups and more Vanier Cups, but at the end of the day, I think it’s special because it really reflects what a great staff we have here with our football program,” Faulds said. Along with the awards, eight Golden Hawks were also named to the first and second All-Canadian teams. Faulds said every year the team loses some great seniors, but they’re committed to keeping the program strong. “We’re going to lose some great players off to the CFL and to graduation. But we’re absolutely going to reload. So, we’re going to have a great recruiting class. We might get a couple of transfers here and there. Laurier football fans should expect a good product in 2026,” Faulds said. As for Jordan, his U Sports career is complete, but he’ll head back to Ottawa’s training camp in the spring and continue pursuing a career as a pro. “Going back to the CFL is my plan. I just signed a contract to the CFL Redblacks again. I’ll be back there at training camp in May. My goal is, make an active roster and do my best to stick in the CFL,” Jordan said.
