Matthew Hamilton. (Image Credit: Andrew Snucins)

By Victor Kaisar

U Sports Award

WolfPack athlete Matthew Hamilton wins U SPORTS Community Service award

Apr 3, 2025 | 3:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — Graduating TRU WolfPack athlete Matthew Hamilton is the latest recipient of the Dale Iwanoczko award, which is given to a U SPORTS men’s volleyball player that excels in the classroom, on the court, and in the community.

It’s the latest – and final – accolade for Hamilton during his university career after he also took home a Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service award last month.

“Anyone that plays varsity sport is already exceptional,” WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly said. “You’re good enough to be recognized as an excellent volleyball player and an excellent student – and then to add the community work, which I think is essential – is awesome.”

Hamilton, a Lethbridge native, served as a leader in the TRU PACE program, where he helps mentor fellow WolfPack student-athletes in their academic journeys. He is also actively involved with Motionball helping to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics as well as helping to raise funds for literacy programs through the Raise-a-Reader initiative.

Hamilton has also volunteered to help coach the next generation of volleyball players with the Kamloops Volleyball Association.

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“He has been an outstanding leader for this program and has kept going through some extremely hard times,” Hennelly added.

A five-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, Hamilton also earned a perfect 4.33 GPA this past semester. On the court, he racked up 444 kills over his 72 games with the WolfPack.

Hamilton is the fifth member of the WolfPack to win a U SPORTS National award and the second recipient of the Dale Iwanoczko Award winner for Student-Athlete Community Service, after Colin Carson in 2013-14.

“As much as I’m honoured to receive this award, I see it as a testament to the culture that coach Hennelly and the leaders before me have built – which is one of excellence on and off the court,” Hamilton said.

“Being a student-athlete is about more than wins and stats. It’s about the impact you leave behind, the standard you set and the way you carry yourself every day.”