(London, Ontario) – The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) has announced that Fanshawe Cross Country Head Coach Ashley VanderVecht has been named the CCAA Coach of the Year. This marks the first time that she has won the distinguished award.

Since beginning her tenure as Falcons Head Coach in 2016, VanderVecht has led the Falcons to an incredible 22 medals. She has won five CCAA team medals, including a National Championship in 2021 (Men), 2019 (Men) and 2018 (Women). She has also coached individual student-athletes to three individual medals (Seth Marcaccio 2016 gold, 2021 bronze and Sandy Freeland 2019 bronze).  

Additionally, VanderVecht has won OCAA medals in every single year that she has been the Fanshawe Head Coach. In her six years, she has won an incredible 18 provincial medals (12 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze).

VanderVecht strives to continue to guide and shape young student-athletes and has a positive impact on their lives by instilling important fundamentals such as dedication, teamwork, integrity, respect, and confidence. She is currently a part of the OCAA Coaching Mentorship Program and is NCCP trained.

Fanshawe's Manager of Athletics, Nathan McFadden, stated, "Ashley has developed and led the Fanshawe Cross Country program to a long and distinctive record of success and outstanding, if not unmatched achievements during her tenure. She is caring and invested in each student-athlete and always focused on building both genders of our program. Having both teams win OCAA championships is a testament to her coaching excellence, commitment to gender equity and dedication to all of her student-athletes."

The CCAA Coach of the Year recipients receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA.

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