Loyalist College’s Cristy Latham Named OCAA Administrator of the Year

Belleville, ON, April 27, 2026 — Cristy Latham, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Loyalist College, has been named the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) 2025-26 Administrator of the Year. 

The provincial award recognizes leadership in collegiate athletics and contributions to the student-athlete experience. At Loyalist, Latham has led the continued development of varsity athletics with a focus on student success, well-being and academic achievement. 

Under her leadership, the Loyalist Lancers 2025-26 varsity season was one of the strongest in program history. The men’s and women’s basketball teams both advanced to the OCAA Final Four provincial championships for the first time, while the men’s volleyball team reached the quarterfinal round for the first time in more than 10 years. The women’s soccer program also continued to build momentum. 

Latham has helped strengthen the academic culture within Loyalist’s varsity programs. This year, 60 of 89 student-athletes earned OCAA All-Academic award which recognizes student-athletes who have an 80% and above average in the first semester. Loyalist’s varsity athletes also achieved a collective average of 79.96 percent, the highest in the varsity program’s history, with 26 students earning averages of 90 percent or higher. 

“Cristy is an inclusive leader with a deep commitment to student-athletes as whole people — supporting their athletic development, academic success and personal growth,” said Sandra Dupret, Senior Vice President, Students. “This recognition reflects the impact of her leadership on our varsity programs and on the culture of care, accountability and achievement she continues to strengthen at Loyalist.” 

Latham’s approach has included expanded supports in areas such as strength and conditioning, nutrition, academic performance and well-being. She has also supported and continued implementation of Safe Sport practices, leadership development opportunities and transition supports for student-athletes entering and leaving the varsity environment. 

Beyond campus, Latham has contributed to youth leadership initiatives and community and provincial organizations, extending her impact across the broader athletics sector.  

“Cristy has made a lasting impact on the athletics department,” said Mustafa Alali, a member of the Lancers Cross Country team and Loyalist Student Government President. “She has helped create a welcoming and safe environment where both athletes and coaches feel supported and empowered to succeed. Cristy’s leadership inspires students to strive for excellence in sport, in the classroom and in the community, and this award reflects her dedication to student-athletes and the positive culture she continues to build within the Lancers community.” 

The OCAA Administrator of the Year award recognizes an administrator who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service within Ontario’s collegiate athletics system. 

The recognition reflects the continued growth of varsity athletics at Loyalist and the college’s commitment to helping students succeed through sport, leadership and learning. 

About Loyalist College

Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope and Tyendinaga, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities.

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Contact:
Hannah Brown
Director of Marketing and Communications
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com