The former West Ferris Trojan and current St. Francis Xavier University football player Jay Turnsek has been named the 2022 recipient of the Mike Mitchell-Larry Avery Memorial Award for his contribution to the game of football.
The award is handed out by the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame annually.
Turnsek began his career at West Ferris and was a member of the 2015 NDA Jr. Football Championship team. He joined the Senior Trojans the following year and began a storied three-year career at the senior level. He was a member of the Senior Trojans NDA Football Championship teams in 2016, 2017 and 2018. In 2017 he led the Trojan defensive corps to a NOSSA Championship.
Turnsek is the only Trojan player to win the coveted Andy McLeod Memorial Award for Most Dedicated player 3 times, from 2016-18. Additionally, he was named an NDA all-star in 2016, 2017 and 2018. In 2018 he was named the NDA Defensive Player of the Year and was chosen the Timber Tom Graham Playoff MVP in the league championship game.
Upon graduation Turnsek, headed east and joined the St. Francis Xavier (St. FX) football team. He was named a starter in his rookie season and during his three year career amassed 96 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception and 6 breakupsin 27 games.
He was named St. FX Rookie of the Year in 2019 and won the Coaches Award in the same season. Turnsek was an Academic All Canadian in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Since joining St. FX, the team has been undefeated in AUS (Atlantic University Sport) division play and has won the AUS/Loney Bowl Championships in both 2021 and 2022.
West Ferris Sr. Football Head Coach, Mark Robertson, is not surprised Turnsek has made such an impact on the field.
“It is no surprise to me that Jay Turnsek is experiencing the kind of success he has had," said Robertson.
"He has always embodied what a real football player is; being tough, dedicated and selfless combined with a work ethic that is second to none.”
Turnsek will receive his award at the 42nd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner to be held at the Davedi Club on Saturday, May 6th, 2023. Tickets are available by calling Larry Tougas at 705-303-8104, the Davedi Club at 705-474-4190, or by contacting any Board Member.
