November 18, 2008 (Fredericton, NB) – Sport NB hosted its 15th Annual Pitney Bowes Sports Awards Saturday, November 15th in Caraquet. The event celebrates the best in New Brunswick sporting community and had a special highlight of the 2008 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

The successful season of the Sussex cyclist, Christian Meier, was marked by a nomination as New Brunswick’s Comfort Inn male Athlete of the year. Over unfortunate team complications he had to go through this season, Christian still managed to claim the elite men road race national title, a first ever by an Atlantic rider. A few weeks later, Symmetrics was announcing his transfer to the Garmin-Chipotle cycling team. Lately, this team announced its ProTour status for 2009, so the future looks great of the New Brunswick native.

The successful nomination of Christian Meier, made in partnership with Velo NB, marks a second year of success in a row for the National Cycling Centre — Atlantic Canada at this gala. Last year, the Caisse populaire Dieppe was named sponsor of the year by Sport NB.

Pitney Bowes Sports Awards Recipients

Comfort Inn Female Athlete of the Year
Kelsey McNeil, Salisbury, Figure Skating

Comfort Inn Male Athlete of the Year
Christian Meier, Sussex, Cycling

Female Coach of the Year
Kathy Grenier, Cocagne, Figure Skating

Male Coach of the Year
Don Ryan, Maugerville, Wrestling

Aliant Team of the Year
Baseball New Brunswick Canada Cup Team

Official of the Year
Nancy Morrison, Quispamsis, Softball

Investors Group Volunteer Sport Administrator Award
Gilda MacAdams, Haneytown, Figure Skating

Outstanding Media Coverage
Peter Assaff, Northern Light – Bathurst

Corporate Award
McInnes Cooper – Fredericton

Spirit of Sport
Melissa Briggs, DSL de Drummond, Figure Skating

Lifetime Volunteer Achievement
Ed Dunham, Fredericton, Baseball

President Award — Female
Geneviève Lalonde, Moncton, Athletics

President Award — Male
Carson Marcoux, Balmoral, Fencing

Sport New Brunswick Honourary Member
Jean Guy Robichaud, Caraquet