Following one of the most dominant seasons by any player in Golden Bears football history, fourth-year linebacker Josiah Schakel now has some hardware to prove it.

Canada West announced their major award winners on Thursday afternoon, as Schakel was named the 2021 Outstanding Defensive Player, and the Student-Athlete Community Service Award winner. 

The Sherwood Park, Alta. product led Canada West with 51.5 tackles in 6 contests for the 3-3 Bears, with his 8.6 tackles per game leading the entire nation. Schakel's four sacks were the second most in the conference, with the SAM linebacker also adding eight tackles for a loss, and three forced fumbles. 

Schakel is the first Bear to be named the Outstanding Defensive Player since David Lowry won back-to-back awards in 2004 and 2005.

Josiah was the most dominant defensive player in Canada West this season. His unique combination of strength and speed make him a player that is equally effective in both coverage and around the line of scrimmage," said Bears head coach Chris Morris. "His strength and explosiveness have combined to produce some of the most physical and game changing tackles in 2021."

Along with his dominance on the field, Schakel was honoured for his work off the turf as well. A captain with the Bears, Schakel has been a two-time Academic All-Canadian in the highly competitive Alberta School of Business. 

Along with his academic achievements, his involvement in community service is also extensive. Josiah is a team leader with VOICE, a program created to actively combat Gender Based Violence on campus and in our community. He has also regularly volunteered with Special Olympics Edmonton, Edmonton's Santa's Anonymous, and the Edmonton Food Bank, with his volunteerism continuing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also spent time volunteering with Kids Kottage, spent time working as a minor football coach & official, has been a guest speaker with high school football programs, and has visited elementary schools during the city's Read-In-Week.

"Even more impressive than Josiah's presence on the field however is his impact on our team as a leader and his impact on our community through his service. Josiah is a team captain and has been a tremendous source of leadership in our program since his arrival," continued Morris. "The integrity, hard work and dedication he displays on a daily basis give him profound credibility and effectiveness as a leader on our team."

Ed Ilnicki was the most recent Bear to win this award, doing so in 2017. 

2021 Canada West Award Winners

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: REC - Tyson Philpot
Calgary Dinos / 3rd-year / Delta, B.C.
 
OUTSTANDING LINEMAN: DL - Brock Gowanlock
Manitoba Bisons / 5th-year / Duncan, B.C.
 
OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: LB - Josiah Schakel
Alberta Golden Bears / 4th-year / Sherwood Park, Alta.
 
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: QB - Garrett Rooker
UBC Thunderbirds / League City, Texas
 
COACH OF THE YEAR: Scott Flory
Saskatchewan Huskies / 5th season
 
STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE: LB - Josiah Schakel
Alberta Golden Bears / 4th-year / Sherwood Park, Alta.
 
GINO FRACAS AWARD NOMINEE: Vaughan Mitchell
Manitoba Bisons / 23rd season