TORONTO – Erik Linseisen of the McGill University men's swim team has won the U SPORTS Student-athlete Community Service Award. It was presented in a poolside ceremony on Friday, just before the evening finals, at the national championship meet, a three-day competition hosted by the University of Toronto.
 
The 21-year-old civil engineering senior is a native of Burlington, Vt. A product of Champlain Valley Union high school in Vermont, the 5-foot-10, 153-pound breaststroker and individual medley specialist qualified for Nationals in four events, including the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststrokes, as well as in the 200m individual medley.
 
Away from the pool, Linseisen has an extensive list of community involvement.
 
He founded Alta Construction Group to address the housing crisis impacting communities across Canada, with a focus on Quebec. The mission is to develop innovative and sustainable housing solutions that improve affordability while maintaining high-quality construction standards. By leveraging emerging construction technologies and a partnership with McGill, they aim to increase housing accessibility and create lasting positive change in Quebec.
 
As a first responder with St. john's Ambulance, he has provided medical first aid at the Bell Centre and various events across Montreal. He works closely with paramedics to assist individuals in need, contributing to their safety and well-being.
 
Linseisen connects engineering students with industry leaders by organizing networking events and workshops with companies such as Bell, RBC, Deloitte, and National Bank. He has been able to help hundreds of students gain insights and career opportunities while bridging the gap between engineering and business.
 
He helps distribute food to those in need and has developed a catalog of gluten-free options to support individuals with dietary restrictions. He coordinates grocery collections from local stores to ensure efficient weekly food distributions.
 
Also a mentor for others dealing with celiac disease, Linseisen helps them navigate the challenges associated with the diagnosis. He works with McGill officials to provide opportunities for students with celiac disease with access to safe food on campus.
 
Linseisen provides swim lessons to others in his community, with ages ranging from four to 70+ years old. He coaches younger athletes who are aspiring to compete at a high level and hope to swim on a college team in the future.
 
And finally, in his home state, Linseisen supports the Vermont Lieutenant Governor's farm to provide fresh produce to communities around Vermont. The organization works with local a food shelf to deliver quality meats and vegetables to those struggling financially.
 
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SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Info Officer
McGill Athletics & Recreation
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
(514) 983-7012 (cell)