Saint Mary’s University (SMU) Huskies football program has announced that they have recruited three players from Nova Scotia.
In a press release this week, the Huskies have recruited three Nova Scotia players for the upcoming season: running back Louis Stephen, linebacker Makenzie Fox and offensive lineman Justin Vanderlaan.
“We are thrilled to have Mak, Louis and Justin committed to our program,” comments Huskies head coach Perry Marchese of SMU’s first set of recruits. “All three of these young men have the attitudes and character that we look for in student-athletes.”
“They love the game of football and with their energy and athleticism, I see them fitting right in with our team.β
SMU’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, Steve Sarty is equally excited about the new additions to the team.
“We feel that they are key local additions to the football team,” explains Sarty. “We really want to improve our football team and we also want local talented football players to choose SMU as THE place to go.”
“All three of these guys are going to be great culture guys.”
With two of the recruits being familiar with each other, the Director of Athletics and Recreation says it will be positive for the Huskies football team.
“Louis and Mak have played together in high school and they’re the kind of guys you can tell can build friendships,” says Sarty. “It’s the kind of culture we want to have; guys who like spending time with each other.”
Louis Stephen:
It’s a dream come true for the graduating running back.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Husky, growing up in Bedford it was a short drive into town to cheer on my favorite local team,” says Stephen. βI am no longer a fan watching from above but I have the opportunity to battle and compete each and everyday.”
The statistics are quite impressive for the explosive offensive gun. In eight games this past season with the Charles P Allen Cheetahs of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL), Stephen scored 10 touchdowns and rushed for 1145 yards on 141 carries. For his stellar play on the field, the league selected him on the first all-star team in the running back position. Moreover, he was team offensive MVP.
During the recruiting process, it was down to two schools. A strong academic program and coaching excellence tipped the decision in SMU’s favour.
“The academic factor was huge because SMU had the program that I wanted to study, and the other school I was considering did not,” explains the offensive standout. “On the football side of my decision, I felt as though Coach Marchese was the guy to lead SMU in the right direction, and I can’t wait to begin working and learning from the entire coaching staff at Saint Mary’s.”
Since the recruitment process was slower at SMU due to the search for a new head coach, this meant players who wanted to make their commitment decision earlier had to rule SMU out as an option. However, in Stephen’s case, the situation was much different.
“While in the search for a head coach I was in contact with special teams coordinator Pierre Lefebvre,” adds Stephen who represented Team Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta in July 2011. “Pierre and I have always had a good relationship and this continued right through until SMU selected Head Coach Marchese.”
The moment he met the head coach, Stephen felt extremely comfortable.
“After meeting with Coach Marchese I felt as though this is the coach I want to play for the next five years,” comments the Cheetahs all-star, who also played for the Metro Mustangs of the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League. “His knowledge for the game is tremendous and he made me feel like I was at home.”
“I am very excited to start working with Coach Marchese. He has a great football background and it was very evident to me his knowledge of the game.”
Having the opportunity to grow as a player is also another advantage of playing for the Huskies.
“Part of my decision to attend Saint Mary’s is the willingness of the entire coaching staff to develop their players on and off the field,” adds Stephen.
Ultimately, the running back is looking forward to suiting up for the Huskies and playing for some familiar faces.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to play for the Saint Mary’s Huskies, with such a rich tradition and winning history,” says Stephen. “Another very exciting part of my decision is the opportunity to play in front of a hometown crowd that includes my friends and family.”
Not only is the running back a fantastic athlete, but he possesses great energy which will be invaluable to the team.
“My family met him actually last weekend and my wife’s first comment was that she liked being around him,” adds Sarty. “He’s that kind of kid that lights right up when you talk to him.”
“He plays running back, he can long snap and he can pretty much play any one of the field (skill) positions.”
Makenzie Fox:
Fox is excited to have the opportunity to play for the maroon and white. The linebacker says that coaching was a deciding factor in him committing to the football program.
“The coaches played a huge role in my decision processes as their dedication to their players and their knowledge of the game was extremely evident,” explains Fox. “I especially look forward to working with the Huskies defensive coordinator coach Devin Murphy.”
Most recently, the Cheetahs linebacker attended the Prodigy Sports Maritime Combine in Halifax. Fox was first place in benchpress reps at 225 pounds (16X) and also benched 17X at 200 lbs.
“With a winning history and patriotic fans I feel privileged to be a Husky,” adds Fox.
The SMU Director of Athletics and Recreation says that the Cheetahs linebacker is a phenomenal athlete.
“He looks like a football player-he’s got a real solid physique, very, very strong and very, very athletic,” comments Sarty. “He plays linebacker right now in high school and we see him playing that position or anywhere on defense really for us.”
“He’s another good culture kid. He’s smart, articulate, well-spoken and another team guy.”
Justin Vanderlaan:
For Vanderlaan, it was simple. SMU’s combination of both academics and football were perfect for him.
“I knew it was a great school for football, and had an excellent criminology program as well,” explains the offensive lineman. “Saint Mary’s offers me great education and all the tools to succeed not only in football, but also in educational endeavours.”
“I believe that Saint Mary’s will give me the best opportunity to succeed as an offensive lineman.”
After a visit to the campus, Vanderlaan says that the university was the right fit for him.
“I decided on SMU, after visiting the campus, the small class sizes were a perfect fit for me,” explains the New Glasgow native. “After I had carefully considered all the other options, I decided to go with SMU, for the smaller classes and the great opportunities to further my football career.”
“I have always wanted to play in the CIS, no matter where it was, and SMU just felt like the best fit for me. The SMU football organization is providing me the tools for in the classroom, and the opportunity to succeed on and off the field.”
Vanderlaan says that the two month search for a head coach did not affect his decision.
“I had faith in the athletic board at SMU, that they would make the correct decision to choose the best head coach that would continue on the excellence at SMU,” adds Vanderlaan, who represented Team Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta in July 2011.
Like Stephen, the offensive lineman says the final decision came down to two schools. During the recruitment process, SMU kept in constant touch with Vanderlaan while he was playing high school football in Kingston, Ontario for the Holy Cross Crusaders.
Moreover, the Huskies updated the athlete on all football news taking place in NovaScotia. Their efforts were impressive that Vanderlaan chose to commit to the Huskies.
There was one additional factor which influenced the offensive lineman’s decision to play for the team next season.
“Family was a big factor in my decision and with being local it seemed very appropriate,” comments Vanderlaan, who was team offensive lineman MVP with the Crusaders. “I prefer to stay close to home now that my family resides in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.”
Overall, the Nova Scotia player is looking forward to contribute to the Huskies.
“I hope to bring lots of experience and leadership into my new role at SMU, on and off the field,” says Vanderlaan. “I am looking forward to be part of the excellence at SMU, and given the opportunity to play in my home province of Nova Scotia.”
Sarty says that Vanderlaan is a presence based on his physical frame: 6’8.5 and 330 pounds.
“You can’t coach size,” explains SMU’s Director of Athletics and Recreation. “He’s going to play offensive line and he’s got tons of upside and has a big body.”
There are other qualities that the Huskies welcome to their team.
“He’s a smart, well-spoken kid and takes his academics seriously,” comments Sarty. “Obviously, he lives in Ontario because they didn’t have football in New Glasgow.”
“He’s very serious about his football.”
Photo Credits:
Photo number 1 courtesy of Saint Mary’s University Huskies Football Website
Photos number 2 and 3 courtesy of Joe Chrvala of Cheetahs Football)
(website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jchrvala)
(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)
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