Success Stories

I am currently a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League. I signed as a free agent in 2006, shortly after completing my university career with the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.

Football was an instrumental part of my life ever since I played my first down as a 150-pound running back in Grade 9 at Bluevale Collegiate. That day I set personal and team goals for myself.

First, I wanted to win a high school championship. It took three years but our school eventually won the WCCSAA Senior Boys Football Championships, which was only the second time in the school’s history. I also wanted to be an integral part of the team’s success. This second goal I wasn’t certain would come true. However, in the same year we were crowned WCCSAA Champions, I played both running back and free safety and was named the league MVP.

Considering my success in reaching my previous goals, I decided to set new ones the following year. I wanted to play and succeed at the university level. As an undersized running back I made the switch to the defensive side of the ball. In retrospect, this was one of the smartest decisions I could have made.

For the next five years, excluding the season opener of my rookie season, I dressed and started every single game as a defensive halfback – 50 games in total. I was a first team All-Canadian twice, a first team OUA All-Star three times and team MVP once. To cap off what was already an amazing football experience, the last game of my university football career was winning Wilfrid Laurier’s second-ever National Championship in front of 20,000 screaming fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton. This is by far the greatest team achievement I have ever experienced.

The crowning moment of my personal career was playing in my first-ever CFL football game. It was the second pre-season game of the year and I started at free safety against the Montreal Alouettes. I hope to surpass this achievement and become a permanent starting player in 2007.

Contact football is an extremely physical sport and it takes a tremendous toll on the body. Without the help of the therapists, doctors and staff at Waterloo Sports Medicine Centre, I would not be in the healthy physical state that I am today.

The treatment by physiotherapist Dave Galloway and massage therapist Mairin Viol specifically, helped heal my nagging shoulder injury and provided the right care to keep my body in top physical health. Dr. Lee and Dr. Dittmer also played a big roll in helping my recovery and maintenance by diagnosing the problem and determining the correct course of action. I am extremely thankful for the amazing support at WSM!