Making the leap

Nigerian born receiver opts to move up to CIS from junior level.

Stephen Ugbah thought it was time to make the shift from junior to CIS football.

Recently, the 6’2, 185 pound receiver signed with the University of Manitoba Bisons for the 2014 CWUAA season.

Ugbah joins the Bisons after redshirting with the Winnipeg Rifles of the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

“I committed to the University of Manitoba because I am already a student there,” commented Ugbah.  “I will be going into my second year there so it was a little more convenient to school and play at the University of Manitoba then play for the Winnipeg Rifles.”

“I played Rifles first year to get experience, mostly to learn and get physically tough.   I thought that I achieved that so I thought it was time to be a Bison.  The bisons have a great facility and great coaches so it would be a perfect environment for me to contribute and get better as a player.”

Previous to the Rifles, the Nigerian born receiver (who moved to Canada in 2010) played for the Elwood Giants of the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL).  During his time there, Ugbah was a WHSFL All-Star (2012) and was a captain in the WHSFL Senior Bowl (2013).

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