Since the first day he slipped a Northern Timberwolves jersey over his head, Scott DeBianchi has been the unquestioned leader of the UNBC men's soccer team.
Confirmation wasn't needed, but it was provided again on Monday night when he was named the club's most valuable player for the fourth consecutive year.
"I feel very privileged to be awarded MVP four years in a row," said the 24-year-old DeBianchi, who was handed the award during the UNBC athletics banquet, held at the Ramada. "I've been coached under [UNBC coach] Sonny [Pawar] for probably 10 years now and he's made me the player that I am today. That helps out a lot."
DeBianchi, a hometown boy, is primarily a defender but can play with authority anywhere on the pitch. He was the first-ever recruit of the UNBC men's soccer program and the guy Pawar wanted to build around.
That strategy has worked to perfection. In UNBC's first two seasons of competition in the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association, the team suffered some growing pains but made steady improvements. Two years ago, the Timberwolves qualified for the playoffs for the first time. Then, last season, they posted a best-ever record of 6-5-1, stepped back into the playoffs, and surprised all observers by advancing to the championship final. In the game for gold, they fell 3-0 to a Vancouver Island University Mariners team that ended up winning the national title.
In the BCCAA, DeBianchi was a second-team all-star in each of his first two seasons. For the past two years, he has gotten the nod as a first-team all-star.
"His abilities are just so far ahead -- I'd like to think -- of most of the players on the field he competes against," said Pawar, who has worked with DeBianchi since DeBianchi's days in the local youth soccer association. "Also involved in that is what he brings to the table as a captain and also the kinds of things he does to prepare for games.
"Just the number of years that he's been there, his confidence, his knowledge and seniority make him an obvious, clear-cut choice [for MVP]," Pawar added. "He's dominant, not just on our team but within the league. He really stands out."
DeBianchi was one of four MVPs named at the banquet. The others were Julie Martin (women's soccer), Inderbir Gill (men's basketball) and Erin Beckett (women's basketball).
Martin, also a Prince George product, led the female Timberwolves through a difficult season, one that saw them kick to a record of 0-11-1. Martin, a midfielder and forward, was in her fifth and final year of playing eligibility.
Gill, from Spokane, has now been picked as the most outstanding player for men's basketball for three straight years. In 2010-11, he helped the T-wolves to a 16-2 regular-season record, a silver medal at provincials and a fifth-place showing at nationals. Gill, a point guard, was also in his fifth year and is aiming for a spot in professional basketball in the future.
Beckett, a fourth-year post player from Prince George, led the female Timberwolves to a 13-5 regular-season record and a bronze medal in the provincial playoffs.
Other players who received awards on Monday were: men's soccer -- Kyle Flannagan (best defensive player); Sean Glanville (top scorer); Jon Sexton (coach's award); women's soccer -- Karmen Fu (best defensive player); Heather King (top scorer); Andrea Bertulli (coach's award); men's basketball -- Robert Rodriguez (defensive player of the year); Matt Mills (most dedicated); Daniel Stark (rookie of the year); Joel Rybachuk (most inspirational); women's basketball -- Christine Kennedy (best defensive player); and Jenn Knibbs (rookie of the year).
