On June 13, 2009, Upper Canada College honored Michael’s memory by hosting a Double Round Robin Tennis Tournament open to his classmates, family and friends. The event, strongly attended, paid tribute to Michael – a great individual via a sport very close to his heart. This first tournament was won by Mike Bienstock and Frazer Wong, both ’09 Grads. Adam '10 and David '04 Reisman were runners up. Costumes worn by Wes McDonald and Mac Allen made them a shoe-in for the “Most Spirit” Trophy.
Following the June 13 Tournament, it was decided to rename Upper Canada College’s Association Day Tennis Tournament as The Michael E. Jurist Tennis Memorial to commemorate Mike’s generous spirit, humanity and athletic prowess, and the impact he had on everyone whose life he touched. The next Michael E. Jurist Tennis Memorial was hosted at Upper Canada College on Saturday, September 25, 2010 and was again well attended by former classmates as well as UCC Club Tennis members and students. Winners were Todd Sisley, a longtime friend and competitor from Crescent, and Ben Sinclair, a UCC teammate and friend. Ryan and Alicia Crelinsten took the prize for "Most Spirit" but a photo is yet to be found. You can imagine how they were dressed by viewing the contendors below.
On October 1st, 2011 former classmates, friends, UCC Club Tennis members, students and parents braved gray skies, brisk winds and cold temperatures to participate in Michael’s third annual Tennis Round Robin hosted by Upper Canada College. Fortunately for players and spectators, crystal blue skies eventually prevailed and after strong competition David Webb ’01 and Ben Sinclair ’04 took the 2011 title. Runners- up were David Young ’04 and Dave Reisman ‘04. The 2011 Spirit Award went to the always creative and competitive team of Kerry Gendron and Mac Allen ’03. Proceeds from raffle sales and donations, approximating $1,500, were put towards the Michael E. Jurist Class of 2003 Fund.
Upper Canada College hosted the 4th Annual Michael Evan Jurist Tennis Tournament on Saturday, September 29, 2012 under blue skies and warm temperatures. Following on the success of previous years, the event had a great turnout that included Old Boys, fellow ‘03s, current students and parents. For a great recap of this year's tournament, read the UCC Blues Booster Club Association Day 2012 Roundup and watch the video, courtesy of Brent Fraser, below. Congratulations go to Winners: Matt Frisch (’02) and Jonathan Jackson (’02); Runners-Up: Dave Reisman (’04) and Adam Reisman (’10) who also took the 2012 Spirit Award.
A memorable and touching day, Michael’s 2012 Tournament unveiled a new logo which rebranded the invitation, a new permanent trophy, banner and other miscellaneous items building momentum leading up to next year’s 10-year Reunion.
5th Annual Tournament - 2013 - Class of 2003 10-year Reunion The fifth annual Upper Canada College Tennis Tournament held in Michael’s honor was on Saturday, September 28, 2013. Attendance was at maximum capacity, skies were crystal clear blue (we always call those days “Michael J blue”) and warm temps prevailed. Participants included many of Michael’s classmates, now living in all parts of the world, who returned for their 10th-Year Reunion. The tournament, an annual UCC Association Day event, also drew many older alums, current boys and their families. Kudos go to Mike Annecchini, David Leiter, Carly Ely and Sarah Cheesbrough for a super event!
On September 23, 2014, UCC hosted the sixth annual “sold out” MEJ/UCC Tennis Tournament, under beautiful blue skies and balmy fall temperatures. A more formalized format of 16 teams/32 players maximum, designed to provide a more competitive environment, was introduced this year. Participants were a mix of Michael’s friends, alums, current students and UCC parents. Once again, it was a wonderful tribute to Michael and to a sport he loved and at which he excelled.
On a warm and sunny Saturday, September 26, young students, old boys, parents and friends got into the swing of things participating in Michael’s 7th Annual UCC Tennis Tournament. Once again, the 32-player doubles competition was a sell-out, drawing new and old and familiar faces as well as repeat competitors and past winners. Another year, another super event and great turnout! A fitting tribute to Michael’s tennis passion and his memory.
Thirty-two alums, current students, family and friends once again hit the courts at Upper Canada College on Saturday, September 24, 2016 to compete in Michael’s 8th Annual tennis tournament. Sixteen doubles teams vied for the trophy, under crystal clear blue skies, and new and old, familiar faces and friends came to cheer players on. This year also offered a new twist — a raffle for an autographed bottle of Daniel Nestor Wine - courtesy of long-time friend, Caroline Cameron. David Leiter and Gareth Smith, both close friends of Michael, shared in the prize. As always, this year’s tournament was a wonderful tribute to Michael and a sport he was passionate about.
On Saturday, September 23, under clear blue skies and unusually hot temps, 32 eager competitors including new and repeat alums, current students, parents and long-time friends battled it out on the UCC courts. The multi-talented roster of participants, some of whom were past Winners, Runners-up and Spirit Award recipients, paid tribute, once again, to Michael and a sport he excelled at and loved. Competition was fun and tight. Winners Rory McConville ’03 and his brother, Daniel ’99 beat out Runners-Up Adam Wexler ’02 and Andy Burgess ’83 in a close 16-14 finish. Father and son duo, Don Cameron and John ’03, long-time supporters, took home this year’s Spirit Award. Thanks go to organizers Mike Annecchini ’03 and UCC’s Kathryn Champion and team and to Tennis Canada for their generous contribution of Rogers Cup towels which accompanied usual tournament “swag”.
Saturday, September 29, 2018 welcomed a sell-out roster of competitors vying to win Michael’s 10th annual UCC Tennis Tournament and celebrate his Graduating Class 15th Reunion Year. Past competitors and victors, alums, friends and family gathered on a brisk clear sunny day to honor Michael and a sport he excelled at and loved. The tournament honors Michael for his sportsmanship and character and supports the Michael E. Jurist (Class of 2003) Fund, established by Michael’s peers and graduating year alumnus. Sixteen Doubles teams, many of them repeat players and winners put up a fierce fight. Victors included: Winners - Ben Bradshaw ’88 and Scott Reynolds ’88; brothers Matthew ’20 and Campbell ’18 MacKinnon; and, the Spirit Award went to Peter Baines ’63 and Ken Tam ’89.
This year, the 11th Annual Michael Evan Jurist Tennis Tournament was held on a cool, but sunny, Saturday October 5th. Upper Canada College welcomed the usual 32-player mixed- doubles turnout of past and repeat competitors, new faces, family and friends. A good time for all, the tournament was a wonderful tribute to Michael and his passion for tennis. 2019 winners were: Iain MacKinnon ’86 and Andy Houghton ’86; Runners-Up - Anthony Bergman ’03 and Matt Finkelstein ’03. The Spirit Award was presented to Paul Jurist, Michael’s father who returned to the courts after a long hiatus and Don Cameron.
Annual Tournaments - 2020 & 2021 The 2020 and 2021annual Tennis Tournaments, were cancelled and postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic closures. After a two-year “Covid” hiatus, Upper Canada College hosted the 12th Annual Michael Evan Jurist Tennis Tournament on September 24th. Perfect weather conditions, blue skies and cool/ warm temperatures, welcomed past and new mixed-doubles keen competitors and a strong audience of UCC friends and family. The winners in 2022 were Anthony Bergman ’03 and Matt Finkelstein ’03; runners-up were David Young ’04 and Hudson Sullivan ’04; Spirit Award Winners were two current UCC students. The tournament was a wonderful manner in which to honour Michael, the sport he excelled at and loved, not to mention a return to renewed on-campus vitality.
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