KINGSTON, Ont. (April 4, 2023) – Maddy Donnelly and Tyler Mullan have been named Queen's University's Varsity Teams Rookies of the Year for the 2022-23 season during the 87^th annual Colour Awards banquet Tuesday night.

Donnelly (Little Britain, Ont.), who starred for Queen's Women's Rugby, was named an Alfie Pierce Trophy recipient as Varsity Teams Female Rookie of the Year.

Donnelly had a terrific start to her time with Queen's Women's Rugby, earning the OUA Rookie of the Year after leading all first-year players with nine tries. Donnelly's nine tries were also tied for second most on the Gaels and in the OUA. In the post-season, Donnelly helped the Gaels capture the OUA Championship and U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship silver medal.

"Statistically, Maddy Donnelly has been one of our most consistent performers across all aspects of the game, and was second on the team in minutes played," Queen's Women's Rugby Head Coach Dan Valley said. "She's a menace defensively, and a threat on the edge of the pitch every time she touches the ball. Her ability to read the play, coupled with her creativity on the pitch make her a very difficult athlete to defend. She's an excellent teammate and will be a leader of this program for years to come."

Mullan (North Bay, Ont.), who starred for Queen's Football, was also named an Alfie Pierce Trophy recipient as Varsity Teams Male Rookie of the Year.

Mullan was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, OUA First Team All-Rookie, and OUA All-Rookie after finishing the year as the only U SPORTS kicker to finish the entire season with a 100 per cent field goal percentage since 2012.

Mullan, who was also named the OUA and U SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week after Queen's Football's OUA quarterfinal win, helped the team advance to the Yates Cup for the second straight season.

"Tyler Mullan is a hard worker and has unwavering confidence in himself and his team," said Queen's Football Head Coach Steve Snyder. "He is a disciplined player and far exceeded expectations and standards set for him."