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The Baron® Leave No One Behind™ Bursary To Support Local Athletes

by Last updated May 2, 2025Baron Rings

Baron® Joins 18th Annual WESPY Awards

Baron® Championship Rings celebrates the 18th Annual WESPY Awards, presenting the Leave No One Behind™ Bursary to two inspiring local athletes and supporting Windsor-Essex sports excellence.

The 18th Annual WESPY Awards

May 2, 2025 — Baron® Championship Rings proudly participated in the 18th Annual Windsor/Essex County Sports Persons of the Year (WESPY) Awards on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the renowned Caboto Club in Windsor.

This exceptional event celebrated the remarkable athletic talent in our community. The WESPY Awards serve as a testament to the dedication, hard work, and exemplary sportsmanship that truly elevate our region’s reputation.

Baron® Championship Rings was honoured to be part of the 18th Annual Windsor/Essex County Sports Persons of the Year (WESPY) Awards on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

The wonderful evening event was set to celebrate the outstanding athletic talent in our community. Further, the WESPY Awards are a recognition of dedication, hard work, and the spirit of sportsmanship that makes our region shine.

A Legacy of Excellence

For nearly two decades, the WESPY Awards, established by Dominic Papa, have stood as a defining institution in our local sports landscape. Recognizing the importance of honouring our athletes, the WESPYS has become synonymous with celebrating the “Windsor Essex Sports Person of the Year.”

Many of the past recipients have gone on to achieve remarkable success in sports and beyond, demonstrating that the dedication fostered on the field translates into triumph in life.

This year’s event was nothing short of exceptional, made possible by the unwavering support of partners like Ron Mowan and his team at Dahert Developments, Monts Ontime Express, and Baron® Championship Rings. Baron® takes great pride in supporting the WESPYS and the outstanding athletes they recognize.

Dave “DK” Kiley, Chairman of the NWBA Hall of Fame, is pictured with Matt Scott, a member of the NWBA Hall of Fame Class of 2025

18th Annual Windsor/Essex County Sports Persons of the Year (WESPY) Awards, via thewespys.ca

Baron® Championship Rings & the WESPY/Baron® Bursary

NWBA Hall of Fame ring and ring box are displayed on Jeremy “Opie” Lade’s Hall of Fame plaque

The Baron® Leave No One Behind™ Bursary Continues To Support Local Athletes: Student Athlete Bursary

About Leave No One Behind™

Baron®’s Leave No One Behind™ initiative is driven by a powerful belief: sport should be accessible, inclusive, and equitable for all. No athlete should be excluded due to financial, social, or systemic barriers.

At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to real impact. Through strategic partnerships and meaningful community connections, Leave No One Behind™ creates lasting change — from local grassroots programs to Championship celebrations.

One of the most impactful elements of this initiative is the Leave No One Behind™ Bursary. These generous bursaries are making a massive difference in the lives of deserving athletes, empowering them to pursue their goals without compromise.

By investing directly in their journeys, we’re helping remove the barriers that stand in the way of potential.

The Leave No One Behind™ Initiative, in collaboration with Axle Films, will be highlighting some of the powerful stories of those touched by this mission — proving that when we lift others up, we all rise together.

Baron®‘s Leave No One Behind™ Bursary Award

At Baron® Championship Rings, we are committed to empowering athletes and helping them realize their dreams. That’s why we proudly introduced the WESPY/Baron® Bursary for its second consecutive year, as part of our impactful Leave No One Behind™ initiative.

This bursary awards $2,500 each to one male and one female athlete from the Windsor-Essex area, and we are excited to continue this tradition of support. Last year’s outstanding recipients, Owen Coffey and Lily Mulder, have already made remarkable strides in their pursuits!

With deep roots in the community, Baron® Championship Rings is committed to continuing its support for local athletes and teams.

NWBA Hall of Fame ring and ring box are displayed on Jeremy “Opie” Lade’s Hall of Fame plaque

The Baron® Leave No One Behind™ Bursary Continues To Support Local Athletes: Student Athlete Bursary

WESPY/Baron®‘s Leave No One Behind™ Bursary Award Recipients

At the 18th Annual WESPY Awards, the president of Baron® Championship Rings, Drina Baron-Zinyk and Peter, CEO of Baron Championship Rings, presented the WESPY/Baron’s Leave No One Behind™ Bursary Award to one female and one male athlete.

“Tonight, I’m proud to recognize a student-athlete who truly lives the values of leadership and resilience.” Drina Baron-Zinyk.

This young woman has earned recognition:

  • as a 2-Time First and Second Team All-Star Basketball Player
  • is a recipient of the Miss Basketball award
  • and maintains an impressive academic record with a 95% average while graduating from St. Joseph High School

Outside of basketball, she contributes to her community by mentoring aspiring athletes and volunteering her time.

This fall, she will be pursuing her academic and athletic goals at St. Clair College, where she will compete in college basketball.

Anyone who knows her knows that she leads not with words but with an example of integrity, heart and unwavering dedication.

“It is an honour to present this year’s Leave No One Behind™ recipient award to female Mya Tate,” Drina Baron-Zinyk

Dr. Hunter on the red carpet at the NWBA Hall of Fame Class of 2025 ceremony

The Baron® Leave No One Behind™ Bursary Continues To Support Local Athletes: 2025 Leave No One Behind™ Bursary Recipients

Drina continued her presentation to a male athlete.

“Our male recipient tonight is the embodiment of quiet leadership, relentless dedication and true sportsmanship, a multi-sport athlete and a team captain.”

He has guided Essex High School to several SWASSA Championships in both hockey and volleyball, and he has also competed at a national level with the Windsor Selects 18U Baseball team.

Whether he is overcoming injuries, mentoring younger athletes, or studying while travelling on the team bus, his dedication remains consistent.

This fall, he will be pursuing both his academic and athletic aspirations at Cuyahoga College in Cleveland, Ohio, where he will be playing baseball at the collegiate level. Both educated and excellent.

“It is my honour to present this year’s Leave No One Behind™ WESPY scholarship award to Nash Driedger.”

 

“It is my honour to present this year’s Leave No One Behind™ WESPY scholarship award to Nash Driedger.” Drina Baron-Zinyk

A Star-Studded Affair

NWBA Hall of Fame ring and ring box are displayed on Jeremy “Opie” Lade’s Hall of Fame plaque

The Baron® Leave No One Behind™ Bursary Continues To Support Local Athletes: 18the Annual WESPY Awards 2025 welcomed Julius “Dr. J” Erving as the featured keynote guest

Part of what makes the WESPYs so special is the inclusion of a keynote guest each year. The WESPY Awards have had legends like Pete Rose, Christian Laettner, Joe Theismann, Nadia Comâneci, Nicklas Lidström, and Jack Nicklaus grace the center stage.

This year, the 18th Annual WESPY Awards 2025 welcomed Julius “Dr. J” Erving as the featured keynote guest! A basketball icon, Dr. J had shared his insights and experiences with athletes and guests attending the 2025 WESPY Awards.

During a recent press release conversation, Dr. J shared valuable advice for young athletes:

“Choose partners wisely…Don’t just rely on yourself…if you do make it to the mountain top, there’ll be others who will be a part of that story who helped you to get there, and hopefully they’ll be there with you so you won’t be so lonely.”

Wise words from a true legend!

18th Annual WESPY Awards: Nominees and Major Awards

The major awards that recognize excellence across the sports spectrum. While these awards inherently celebrate athletes, they also honour the invaluable contributions of executives, coaches, teams, and officials.

Dominic Papa’s visionary leadership in expanding the WESPY Awards has been instrumental in broadening its scope to include these significant categories.

The achievements we celebrate are not solely the result of the athletes’ talent; they are a reflection of the outstanding coaches, strategic management, and dedicated officiating that support them.

Additionally, the structure of teams and the organization of executives play a pivotal role in the overall success and sustainability of sports. This perspective is precisely why the major awards categories are so vital and deserving of recognition.

The 18th Annual WESPY Awards featured 12 regular categories and nine major awards, recognizing excellence in everything from track and field to coaching and executive leadership. Here is a sample of winners for some categories.

The WESPY Awards proudly announced the renaming of the female basketball player of the year to honour the exceptional Miah-Marie Langlois. This prestigious accolade was awarded to Kaitlyn Overeem from St. Clair College.

In a similar move, the male basketball award was renamed to pay tribute to the legendary Mike Brkovich, with Chat Vincent-Simon, also from St. Clair College, taking home the award.

The Joel Quenneville Coach of the Year Award was rightfully granted to Mike Lechance from St. Clair College Football, recognizing his outstanding achievements.

The Knobby Knudsen Volunteer of the Year award was awarded jointly to Marie Johnston and Ryan Merrow, highlighting their dedication and service.

Mark Seguin from the Lakeshore Canadiens received the Ken Dryden Executive of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the sport.

WESPY 2025: Athletes Honoured

The 18th Annual WESPY Awards was a resounding affirmation that sports transcend mere competition; they embody community, character, and the creation of opportunities. With unwavering support for the WESPY/Baron® Bursary, Baron® Championship Rings proudly upholds its Leave No One Behind™ mission, breaking down barriers and investing in the dreams of young athletes.

Congratulations to all the award recipients, and especially to Mya Tate and Nash Driedger—your journeys are just beginning, and we’re proud to be part of them.

LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND™ initiative

At Baron® Championship Rings, our mission is to empower athletes and support their pursuit of excellence. That’s why we’re proud to bring back the WESPY/Baron® Bursary for a second consecutive year—part of our meaningful Leave No One Behind™ initiative. This bursary awards $2,500 each to one male and one female athlete from the Windsor-Essex region.

#yourjourney #yourmoment #yourlegacy

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