University of Manitoba offensive lineman Mark Rauhaus has won the prestigious Russ Jackson Award for his excellence in athletics, academics and community service.
Rauhaus beat out McMaster’s Alex Cheng and Acadia’s Spencer Richards for the award, becoming just the third Bisons player to win U Sports’ highest prize.
“Mark carries himself with the utmost integrity and is a role model to the young players in our program. His influence on those around him is all encompassing, he helps bring out the best athlete and person in those around him, often serving as a moral compass,” Bisons’ head coach Brian Dobie said in a statement.
“Mark was seven games into his best season as a Bison before he tore his MCL, He is selfless and identifies his personal success with the whole team, his reaction to set-back and failure has always been to reset and find another way to move forward.”
A member of the President’s Student Leadership Program, Rauhaus is one of 22 students selected annually in Manitoba to travel across the province and network with a variety of influential leaders. He spearheaded an initiative to help New Directions, a social work organization, and piloted a project that integrates independent skills workshops into the supported independent living program, supporting people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Throughout the summer, he worked closely with participants and identified financial skills as an area of need and interest. In conjunction with SEED Winnipeg, he was able to formulate a financial skills curriculum.
Rauhaus was also elected to the U of M Athletic Council executive in 2023 as the Director of Bisons Against Bullying. This program brings Bisons student-athletes into schools to share stories and lessons about bullying, and to encourage bystanders to speak up and step in to put an end to bullying.
The Montreal Carabins will face off against the UBC Thunderbirds in the 58th Vanier Cup on Saturday, November 25 at 1:00 p.m. EST in Richardson Memorial Stadium in Kingston, Ont.
