For more than two decades, Rod Mawhood has been a familiar voice and steadfast advocate of the Brock Badgers and growth of university sport in Canada. 

On Wednesday, June 3, at the U SPORTS Conference and Annual Meeting, Mawhood received the Fred Sgambati Award, becoming the first recipient from the Niagara region. Named after reporter and broadcaster Fred Sgambati, a supporter of Canadian university athletics, the award is presented to a member of the news media who has made a significant contribution to the growth and development of Canadian university sport. 

"I'm beyond humbled and grateful to receive this award," Mawhood said. "When Zach Weese from U SPORTS reached out to inform me, I was shocked. As I have said dozens of times, and will continue to do so, Canadian university sports are the most underrated on the planet." 

As a longtime voice in the region's sports landscape, Mawhood has used his weekly radio show, The Niagara Sports Report, to spotlight countless athletes and coaches, giving them a platform to share their stories with a wider audience.

That storytelling has continued to grow through the Badgers Den Podcast, launched this past winter, where he interviews Brock University Athletes of the Week and further connects student-athletes with the Niagara community. 

Mawhood's contributions also extend to game nights, where he serves as an in-game announcer for Brock basketball and hockey as well as hosting marquee events including the Celebration of Academic Excellence, the Brock Badgers Awards Gala and the Brock Badgers Hall of Fame. 

His presence is also felt across campus, where he has emceed major events such as the 60th Anniversary Photo Celebration and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. 

At the 2024-25 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Honour Awards Banquet, Mawhood's efforts were recognized as he received the Media Member of Distinction award. 

Beyond Brock, Mawhood is a passionate community leader, hosting an annual Niagara breakfast event that has raised more than $30,000 for the Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children.