Yates Cup alumni Gittens Jr, Liegghio named as honorary captains for 116th championship

Burlington, Ont. – With two decorated football programs coming together for the second straight year for the 116th Yates Cup powered by BioSteel, it only makes sense that a pair of decorated alumni join the festivities as this year’s honorary captains. 

Former Golden Hawks wide receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and Western Mustangs kicker Marc Liegghio have been named the 2024 Yates Cup honorary captains ready to support both their alma maters and the OUA football championship.   

With both players knowing what it feels like to capture a Yates Cup title during their university careers, they more than understand the work and dedication it takes to make it to this point in the football calendar. Both currently CFL standouts and Grey Cup champions, they have continued their success beyond university athletics.  

During his four years at Laurier, Gittens Jr. was the OUA rookie of the year, a four-time OUA all-star, a four-time U SPORTS All-Canadian, a two-time team MVP, and an OUA MVP, while also winning the Yates Cup in 2016. He finished his career with the most regular season receptions in program history (205) and was the OUA record-holder until he was surpassed in 2022 by Waterloo’s Gordan Lam.  

Drafted by the Toronto Argonauts 23rd overall in the CFL Draft, he had a breakthrough season in 2022. Playing in all 18 regular season games, Gittens Jr. finished sixth in the league in receiving yards with 1,101 and five TDs, while winning a Grey Cup with the Argos that year. He is currently with the Edmonton Elks, and finished the 2024 campaign with 847 receiving yards and five majors before being named the team's Most Outstanding Canadian. 

Liegghio, who played with the Western Mustangs from 2015 through 2019, was a powerhouse in all aspects of the kicking game. He is a multi-time OUA all-star and three-time U SPORTS all-Canadian as a kicker and punter. He won the Yates Cup and was a Vanier Cup champion in 2017. In his four seasons with the Mustangs, he became the all-time leading scorer in OUA history with 442 points.  

Drafted into the CFL in the 2020 Draft, he has played for Winnipeg and Hamilton, winning a Grey Cup with the former in 2021. 

Stay tuned to see these two OUA greats serve as honorary captains as part of the 116th Yates Cup powered by BioSteel, available on oua.tv, cbcsports.ca and CBC Gem, Game+ TV, and local Rogers television on Saturday, November 9th at 1pm.