Christine

DaTruRochin wrote:Who needs a UP hall of fame plaque when you can get a Canada Walk of Fame star?

Christine Sinclair traded in her jersey, shorts and cleats temporarily for a cap and gown on Friday.

The captain of Canada's women's soccer team put on the bright red robe and blue cap as she was bestowed with an honorary doctorate of laws degree from Simon Fraser University in her hometown of Burnaby, B.C.

"This was a huge honour," said Sinclair, dressed in her regalia in an interview before proceeding to SFU's fall convocation ceremony with graduates on the Burnaby Mountain campus. "The last time I did this, I was graduating from the University of Portland. Obviously, things have changed."

Since graduating from her alma mater in 2005 with a life sciences degree, Sinclair has competed in two Olympics, guiding Canada to its first medal in soccer, a bronze in the 2012 London Games. Her many honours include Canadian Press athlete of the year and female athlete of the year awards in 2012, a Canadian Walk of Fame induction this year and inclusion among the 25 most influential people in Canadian sport.

The honorary degree has special meaning for Sinclair because many of her family members and relatives have graduated from SFU. She also considered studying there but was clear in her decision to go to university in the U.S. "for soccer reasons."

Sinclair edged out U.S. women's soccer national team star Abby Wambach to win the award with 30.7 percent of the fan vote.

The Canadian national team captain and former University of Portland star helped lead the Thorns to the NWSL championship title in the league's inaugural season, scoring eight goals and recording two assists on the year.

Sinclair earned her 200th cap as a member of the Canadian national team Thursday, scoring a goal to help lead Canada to a 2-0 win over Scotland.