Redeemer University Athletics

Jersey Number: 10
Position: Guard
Hometown: Brantford, Ontario
Major: Bachelor of Education
Year: 5

What made you begin playing your sport? How old were you?
I was fortunate to have parents that loved sports and saw the value of putting me in many
sports, including basketball at a young age. At 4 years old I joined Brantford CYO basketball
and fell in love with the game. I continued playing basketball until grade 12 playing on various
teams such as Brantford CYO, Hamilton Transway, Tricounty Juel, Canada Drive, and St.
John’s College.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete at
Redeemer University? 
Every week the Royals student-athletes receive an email from our athletic director, James
Kryger. One email in specific really resonated with me as it put a lot of my feelings towards this
year into words for me.
Some parts from this email I have included below,
“For many of you, playing your sport has been a massive part of your life for as
long you can remember. You to have spent countless hours training and preparing to be
the best. You and your coaches think and strategize how to gain any advantage. You
watch game films, you work out, and you fuel your body with only the best. … your sport
is what we do! You may have been reminded of that last year when you had no idea
what to do with all the free time after COVID took your sports away.
It is, however, important to remind ourselves that our sports are just that. They are what
we do, but not what defines us and not what identifies us. 
How do you know if your sport is causing you to lose focus?
How about when your performance in practice or a game dictates your emotions or your
feelings of worth. Do you ignore your loved ones for days? Do your roommates walk on
eggshells fearing they may upset you. Does your unique smile and light the Lord has
blessed you with disappear after a loss?
This is a dangerous place to find ourselves. I know I have been there many times
myself. If all you look forward to is the next game or next race as your opportunity to
make things better, it's time to do an ID check.

At a very young age, I dreamed a lot about sports, I am sure many of you did as well.
The problem is my good-hearted dreams turned foul later in life. I feared insignificance
and valued being known for what I did in sport, rather then for who I am.
I pray you are not currently in the same position. Reality - you have been, and some of
you are. Your hope is in your sport. Your performance at nationals next week or in your
next game will define your value. Your Glory is in the crown (trophy) at the finish line or
the championship banner hanging in the gym. You chase and chase after material and
societal glory. Your foundation in life is the success you have on the course, the court,
or the field. You desire people to admire you, to watch you do your thing, to yell your
name, and to carry you off the court.
Heavy stuff right, but am I wrong? - Do you find yourself placing too much of your value
in your sport? Is your hope, glory, foundation, and salvation wrapped up in your sport?
The next time you compete may you be reminded our sports are what we do, but not
what defines us and not what identifies us.”

That last line summed it all up for me as this is something I find myself needing to be
reminded of my whole life but most specifically, this past couple for years as sport kept
continuously being taken from us. And now with eligibility dwindling and school
wrapping up, my time identifying as an elite level athlete is coming to a close. But the
lessons I have learned, the skills I have gained, the connections and friendships that I
have made will stick with me forever.

Do you have any pre game rituals? 
- Pre-game coffee and snack/meal. I like feeling FULL before a game.

Favorite meal? 
- Mom’s Turkey Dinner

What would people be surprised to learn about you? 
- Rugby is my main sport. I have represented Canada and Ontario for many years. I
also played four years of varsity rugby at McMaster University prior to coming to
Redeemer for basketball.

What is your favorite movie? 
- Remember the Titans

What is something on your bucket list? 
- Travel to (and potentially live in) Australia and New Zealand

 If you were singing at a karaoke night, what song would you sing? 
- Wannabe – Spice Girls ; Man I Feel like a Woman – Shania Twain ; Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond