REGINA’S HASTINGS WINS WALLY BUONO AWARD

(Vancouver) On behalf of The Saint Bernard Pass Charitable Foundation, the BC Lions Football Club is pleased to announce that Regina Thunder quarterback Asher Hastings has been named the Wally Buono Award winner for 2013.

Hastings becomes the 11th recipient of the award, which recognizes the Canadian Junior Football League’s top player each season. Coming in at an intimidating 6’3″ and 215 lbs, the Regina native threw for 653 yards on 46 completions for the Thunder during the 2013 regular season and then led the club to a dominating 55-26 championship win over the Vancouver Island Raiders last November.

“Asher not only exhibited superior athleticism on the field this past season, he also demonstrated a tremendous amount of maturity and perseverance away from the game,” said BC Lions VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono. “After seeing firsthand what Asher was able to accomplish in last year’s championship game, he is more than worthy of this honour.”

Throwing for 377 yards and five touchdowns on the day, Hastings was the CJFL’s obvious selection as the title game’s MVP after leading his squad to its historic first-ever CJFL championship.

“I am both proud and humbled by this award,” said Hastings. “My thanks go out to both the Buono and Saint Marche families for their ongoing support of junior football. I also want to thank God for the gifts that I am so grateful to have in my life. I may be the one receiving this award, but it would not be possible without the support of my parents, teammates and the coaching staff of the Regina Thunder.”

In addition to nailing down a national championship in front of a home crowd and earning this year’s Wally Buono Award, Asher was also selected as a 2013 Prairie Football Conference All-Star and a CJFL All-Star.