RICHMOND HILL, ONT. – Chosen for his remarkable accomplishments on the court and in the classroom, Golden Bears Volleyball Alumni Isaac Heslinga was selected as a 2024/25 U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian. The Top 8 distinction represents the highest individual honour bestowed by U SPORTS.

U SPORTS will recognize the nation's most accomplished student-athletes as it celebrates the 2024/25 U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadians, January 27th and 28th in Ottawa.
 
The University of Alberta leads the nation with 4,155 all-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians.
 
"The UofA is a place where driven student-athletes come to excel in every part of their lives, and Isaac is the perfect example of that. The talented coaches and professors' help develop talent both on the field of play and in the classroom, providing an environment where you don't have to choose between athletic ambition and academic success," said U of A Athletic Director, Leah Pezer. "Isaac's brilliance on the court and in the classroom sets a standard that inspires the next generation to follow. He was a pleasure to watch excel as a student-athlete, and I could not think of a Golden Bear more deserving of this prestigious honour." 
 
Heslinga's university career stands as a rare blend of elite athletic production and academic rigour. Competing in the demanding Faculty of Engineering, Heslinga earned Academic All-Canadian recognition while delivering one of the most statistically dominant seasons in U SPORTS men's volleyball history.
 
Hailing from Orangeville, Ont., the two-time Canada West and U SPORTS Player of the Year led his conference and U SPORTS in kills, kills per set, points and points per set during the 2024-25 season. His efficiency, highlighted by a .373 attack percentage, placed him among the most effective attackers university volleyball has seen in decades. Over his career, Heslinga finished among Alberta's all-time leaders in kills, points and service aces.
 
Off the court, Heslinga's commitment to excellence extended to his academic pursuits, completing his engineering degree while maintaining elite performance standards in competition.

"Isaac is one of the all time greatest volleyball players we've had at the UofA and I would contend one of the best in U SPORTS in this millennium," said Bears Volleyball head coach Brock Davidiuk, "He had ample opportunity to go pro after his 4th year of playing for the Bears, but was adamant on returning for his 5th to finish his degree. His experience in our league was not all about volleyball, but also academic achievement, and for Isaac most of all, service to those around him. His ability to balance being the best player in the league and a knockout student in our prestigious and challenging Faculty of Engineering was incredibly impressive and an inspiration for many student-athletes to come." 
 
The eight laureates, selected by their respective conferences as the best and brightest academic student-athletes during the 2024-25 season, will be honoured across two days of national recognition. As part of the celebration, the Top 8 will be guests of The Honourable Francis Scarpaleggia, Speaker of the House of Commons, for a luncheon reception on Wednesday, Jan. 28, and will also participate in a meeting with Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.
 
During the 2024-25 academic year, more than 5,600 U SPORTS student-athletes earned Academic All-Canadian status by maintaining an academic average of 80 per cent or higher while competing in university sport. From that group, eight student-athletes are selected to represent the pinnacle of academic achievement and athletic excellence.

All-Time UofA Top 8 Academic All-Canadians

2024/25	Isaac Heslinga	Golden Bears Volleyball
2022/23	Jordan Canham	Golden Bears Volleyball
2017/18	Ed Ilnicki	Golden Bears Football
2016/17	Meg Casault	Pandas Volleyball
2013/14	Jordan Baker	Golden Bears Basketball
2012/13	Jaki Elis	Pandas Volleyball
2005/06	Kristen Hagg	Pandas Hockey
2004/25	Danielle Bourgeois	Pandas Hockey
2003/24	Danielle Bourgeois	Pandas Hockey
2002/03	Maria Gallo	Pandas Rugby
2002/03	Blair St. Martin	Golden Bears Hockey
2001/21	Jeff Zorn	Golden Bears Hockey
1997/98	Sarah Joly	Pandas Soccer
1996/97	Sarah Joly	Pandas Soccer
1996/97	Mike Sieben	Golden Bears Volleyball
1995/96	Liz Smith	Pandas Soccer