The Calgary Stampeders are pleased to announce that safety Wes Lysack is the winner of the 2010 Tom Pate Memorial Award.

The award is presented annually by the Canadian Football League Players’ Association to the player who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to the league and the community as selected by the members of the CFLPA.

Lysack is an enthusiastic participant in Stampeders community initiatives and contributed many hours of his time in support of numerous causes in 2010, including the Canadian Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish Canada, CUPS Health & Education Centres, the Calgary Food Bank, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the United Way and amateur football, among others.

“To receive an award of this significance is very special,” said Lysack. “Giving back to the community has always been something that I take pride in and I feel lucky to work with organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society. As professional athletes, we’re in a position to contribute in various initiatives and I’m honoured to be able to help.”

Lysack is as an advocate and spokesman for the Stampeders’ PinkPower program, which has raised more than $100,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society over the past three years.

The 32-year-old Edmonton native, who now calls Calgary home year-round, launched Lysack’s Corner — a special block of seats dedicated to people fighting cancer and their caregivers for each Stamps home game — in 2009 and speaks on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society at numerous events and functions.

“On behalf of the Calgary Stampeder Football Club, I would like to offer Wes our hearty congratulations for winning this very prestigious award,” said Stampeders president/COO Lyle Bauer. “We are very proud to have Wes be a part of the Stampeders family and we thank him for all the good work he does for many worthwhile causes including the Canadian Cancer Society.”

This marks the sixth time a member of the Stampeders has received the Tom Pate Memorial Award since it was established in 1976. Mark McLoughlin (1995 and 1997) was a two-time winner while John Helton (1978), Stu Laird (1991) and Greg Frers (2002) are also previous winners.