Please welcome to the stage the winner of the 2025 Sam Baker Character Award, David Fatiregun.  

I met David three years ago as his track and field coach. David is laser focused. He’s tough. He’s passionate. And he’s a leader. What I like most about David is that he’s willing to lend a helping hand and is always there to support his teammates.

With Coach J being away this track and field season, David was one of a few senior athletes who took on a leadership role with our throwers. He stepped up to run drills at our indoor practices and he helped some of the newer, less experienced throwers with their technique in the gym. 

David was also a member of the soccer and ultimate frisbee teams where he demonstrated his love for sport and a desire to compete. His athletic abilities and quiet leadership have helped to motivate his teammates on multiple teams through his years at NT. Thank you for all of your efforts and congrats David. 

The Sam Baker Character Award honours the memory of Sam Baker, who died tragically shortly after graduating from NTCI in 2018.   Sam was a passionate rugby player who loved the game, and the brotherhood that rugby provided.  This award recognizes a student who demonstrates excellent leadership, sportsmanship and positive contribution to team dynamics and athletics at North Toronto.

Please welcome to the stage the winner of the 2024 Sam Baker Character Award, Alex Barkas.  Alex, would you please come to the front of the stage.

Alex is not afraid of a challenge.  He welcomes them and always approaches them with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.  He played Volleyball, Badminton, Table Tennis and was a key contributor to helping the NTAA run the Terry Fox Run and many other events.  Most importantly is how he has always demonstrated great character and what it truly means to be a good sport.   Ms Blackmore describes Alex as “a fun loving and supportive teammate who sees the glass as half full no matter what the score is.

Thank you for all your efforts, and for helping make NT a better place.

No award was presented in 2023. 

This year’s very deserving recipient has been a committed and accomplished athlete at North Toronto since he was in grade 9. You could find him running like a gazelle on the x-country and track teams, working hard and doing all that was asked of him in the swimming pool, and leaping and tracking discs on the ultimate pitch. In addition, our award winner was a contributor on the boy’s soccer team in grade ten and qualified for x-country OFSAA in the 3000m race, finishing eleventh in grade nine and ninth in grade ten. In addition to these many accomplishments, Adam Pralat is a positive, communicative, smart, capable and very likeable individual who put all of these attributes to good use throughout the year with the NTAA. Adam was an important contributor with intramurals and Red and Grey day and consistently demonstrated superb organization and initiative. A key attribute to leadership in my mind is what you do when no one is looking. You will not find a more humble and down to earth individual than Adam, who was never out for recognition but was always there when someone needed him.

Please join me in congratulating this year’s winner of the Sam Baker Award, Adam Pralat!

No award was presented in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.

No award was presented in 2020 as all sports at NTCI were cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

Please welcome to the stage the winner of the 2019 Sam Baker Character Award, Spencer Keith.

Spencer is a very deserving recipient of this award for more than a few reasons.

First off Spencer has always understood that winning starts at practice and how you prepare is key to your success.  This is a trait that Spencer modelled for his teammates by always giving 100 percent and consistently encouraging his teammates to do the same.  

Spencer also cares about his teammates and wants to see them achieve at their highest potential.  Sometimes this was not the easiest trait to deal with as he would challenge players, in practice and in games, to not leave anything on the field.  He is a vocal leader who is not afraid to give “constructive” criticism when needed.  Sometimes his words were constructive, other times they were encouraging, the message however was always the same. Do your best, the team needs you.    

Most admirably however Spencer, like Sam, is selfless and does not pursue individual accomplishments at the expense of team goals.  He is a versatile player who has played many positions in both football and rugby, and has always accepted his roles openly and with a positive attitude.

Congratulations Spencer on winning the inaugural Sam Baker Character Award, it has been a pleasure coaching you the last 4 years.  I am sure the traits you have demonstrated on the field will take you wherever you want to go in life.