This year, Champlain Saint-Lambert created a new bursary in honour of Cavaliers alumnus Negus McKenna who passed away in 2023 and was posthumously inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Negus McKenna Bursary is presented to a men’s Basketball player who has demonstrated leadership on their team, both on and off of the court – traits that Negus exemplified when he played here and at the NCAA level. After leaving us all too soon in 2023, this bursary is a testament to how he lived and played.

At an awards ceremony held on May 1, the award was presented to student-athlete Ronnell Thomas.

Negus McKenna played for the Men’s Basketball from 2001 to 2004 and returned to the Cavaliers as an assistant coach from 2011 to 2013.

McKenna was extremely proud to be a Champlain Cavalier and of what the program stood for. Athletically he dominated from the first day he stepped on the court with his dunks and incredible scoring ability. Fans would pack the gym to see what spectacular play Negus would do next and he would not disappoint with his high-flying, confident attitude.

After Champlain, he attended West Carolina University where he played for the Catamounts. A dedicated coach and father to his three children, McKenna sadly passed away in 2023.

At the annual awards ceremony, the Empire Lamontagne Bursary for Women’s Basketball was also presented to Champlain player Dahlia Fleurantin.

The Empire Lamontagne Bursary is presented to a female Basketball player who has shown dedication and determination while playing basketball here at Champlain Saint-Lambert.

Congrats to the recipients for this well-deserved honour!