Courtesy of the CCAA
Keith Jackson of the Capilano Blues is the 2018 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men’s Soccer Player of the Year.
Jackson received the award this evening during the CCAA All-Canadian Banquet at the 2018 CCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship, hosted by Holland College in Charlottetown, PE.
In his final season with Capilano, the fifth-year forward and team captain led the Blues to a tie for first place in the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) with an 8-2-2 record.
Jackson also showed the ability to rise to the occasion, scoring seven times in four contests against the rival Douglas Royals (8-2-2), silver medalists at the 2017 CCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship.
“Completing five seasons with the Blues, at a level that Keith has built his reputation upon, is quite an accomplishment,” said Wade Kolmel, CCAA Men’s Soccer Convenor. “A well rounded, competitive student-athlete such as Keith represents Capilano and all of us in the CCAA quite remarkably.”
Jackson, now a three-time CCAA All-Canadian, scored 13 goals to lead the PACWEST in scoring for the third consecutive season thanks to his direct approach and speed of play, which creates frightening matchups for opposing defenders. Jackson now sits second all-time in PACWEST scoring with 44 career goals.
He has performed at a similar level in the classroom; he was named a CCAA Academic All-Canadian and CCAA National Scholar in each of the past two seasons. Jackson is also a part of the CapU Blues peer mentor program, where he helps his younger teammates adjust to university academic life and provides guidance on how to become a successful student-athlete.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in the development of Keith Jackson the soccer player and Keith Jackson the student-athlete,” said Kolmel.
CCAA Player of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA National Championship Awards Banquet.