Seven recruits join the AUS team’s 2015 class & span over four provinces.
The Acadia Axemen has announced the addition of seven recruits to the football program.
Four provinces are represented with these new additions – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta.
Hunter Holub, Alex Hatina, Spencer Unrau, Holden Reid, Nick Green, Tommy Grant and Morgan Laws are have all committed to the team for the 2015 season.
“This group of fine young men is the future of our football program,” commented Axemen Head Coach Jeff Cummins. “Each of them joins us after dominating the competition and compiling accolade after accolade.”
“Looking at the individual success of these athletes is impressive – MVP’s, Players of the Year, All-Stars. These men are more than just athletes, though. They are all outstanding people who will be great ambassadors for our program. As a program, we filled some big needs with this group and are looking forward to getting them on the field come August. We are very pleased to welcome each of them to the Acadia Axemen Family.”
HUNTER HOLUB:
The 6’4, 195 pound athlete from Lively, Ontario capped off a successful high school career with Lively District Hawks of the Sudbury District Secondary School Athletic Association (SDSSAA). This past season, Holub was named SDSSAA Offensive Player of the Year. In 2013, he was SDSSAA Most Outstanding Player as well as selected as an SDSSAA All-Star.
In addition to the Hawks, the athlete suited up for the Sudbury Gladiators of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC).
With his commitment to Acadia, Holub will be extending a family tradition. Ultimately, it weighed heavily on his decision to choose the Wolfville, Nova Scotia campus.
“I chose Acadia for a few reasons, one of them was that my uncle went to school and also played football there,” elaborated Holub. “That was a huge influence on my decision because I’d always hear great things about the school.”
“I love how everyone is so close, it’s like you’re all a family and I really liked that. Also, it’s a small town that has a close community and that’s like where I group up so I thought it was the best fit.”
ALEX HATINA:
The 5’11, 225 pound linebacker/longsnapper from Ottawa, Ontario has played for the St. Joseph Jaguars of the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association (NCSSAA). This past season, Hatina racked up 28 solo tackles, 26 assisted tackles, recorded four sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in eight games played with the Jaguars.
Additionally, the linebacker has previously suited up for both the Ottawa Myers Riders of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and Nepean Redskins of the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA).
While there was some initial hesitation about the Wolfville, Nova Scotia campus from his mother, it was all put to rest by the Axemen coaching staff, namely Defensive Coordinator Shad McLachlan.
“At first, my mom wasn’t too sure about me going to Acadia she thought it was too far and knew nothing about the program,” recalled Hatina. “We went to a meeting in December where Coach Shad [McLachlan] spoke about the life at Acadia and how it would be if we went there.”
“The main things that stood out to me were the education I would be getting is one of the best in Canada. The fact that the classes or so small and that I can actually talk and have a conversation with my professors is huge to me, where at others schools your first year, it’s a class of three hundred or more students. You’re just a number there where as at Acadia, you’re somebody and they care about you.”
Furthermore, the comfort level with not only the Axemen coaching staff but the school made it a lot easier to sign with the program.
“All throughout November and December, I was in constant contact with some of the coaches and they were very helpful with my mom and I whenever we had questions or needed help,” expressed Hatina. “The way the whole university is like a big family, I was pleased to know I would be leaving my family but going into the arms of another that loves me just as much as my parents do.”
“That was the biggest factor for me as to why I signed, I love the coaching staff and I honestly cannot wait to get started.”
SPENCER UNRAU:
The 6’2, 270 pound offensive lineman from St. Albert, Alberta joins the Axemen after completing his high school career with Bellrose Bulldogs of the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA).
Overall, Unrau felt the Axemen provided the best opportunity for him to excel on the field and in the classroom.
“I chose Acadia because I saw a team that has a great shot at winning a Vanier Cup,” said Unrau. “Acadia has a history of winning and I want to be a part of that.”
“As well, I see this as the best option for furthering my education.”
HOLDEN REID:
The 6’8, 215 pound athlete from Oromocto, New Brunswick will be moving to the neighboring province to commence his CIS career.
Recently, he completed a stint with Oromocto Blues of the New Brunswick High School Football League (NBHSFL). In six games during the 2014 season, Reid recorded a total of nine sacks.
For his part, Reid chose the Axemen because he wanted to develop and grow with a defensive core he has respected over the years. Moreover, the academic institution offers a lot of positives that would benefits him.
“I chose Acadia because I wanted to go to a school that fit best to the way I learn and play football and the hard hitting defensive unit they are known for was one of the biggest factors on the athletic side of things,” explained Reid of his decision. “On the academic side of things, I really like the small class sizes and the fact that you get a lot of one on one time with your Profs making it easy for every student to reach graduation!”
NICK GREEN:
The 5’10, 175 pound running back from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia will stay in his home province to play at the CIS level.
This past fall, Green capped of a successful high school career with Prince Andrew Panthers of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL). In 2014, he amassed 1014 rushing yards on 147 carries (average of 6.89 yards per carry) and scored six touchdowns. The running back was named NSSAFFL Division 1 Offensive MVP and received an NSSAFFL Division 1 All-Star selection. The previous season, Green led the Panthers to the Provincial Tier 2 Championship and was the recipient of the NSSAFFL Special Teams Player of the Year Award.
In addition to the Panthers, the offensive standout also played with the Dartmouth Destroyers organization.
Ultimately, the combination of academics and football made the Wolfville, Nova Scotia campus the perfect fit for Green.
“I committed to Acadia because I feel it is a great place for me to develop as a player as well as get a quality education,” commented Green. “When I went down to Acadia for a visit I had the opportunity to talk to a lot of the coaches and quite a few of the players and every one of them were excited about what they think this team can do.”
“That’s the type of environment and team I was looking for so it just seemed like a great fit.”
TOMMY GRANT:
The 6’6, 245 pound defensive lineman from Halifax, Nova Scotia guided the Citadel Phoenix of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) to the Provincial Tier 1 Championship this past November. Additionally, Grant was selected as a NSSAFFL Division 1 All-Star at the defensive line position. In the 2014 season, he recorded six sacks with the Phoenix.
Grant chose the Axemen not just due to the academics, but also because of the positive direction the team is headed towards as well as the traditional success defensive lineman have enjoyed with the team.
“The reason why I committed to Acadia is because the business program that they had been what I was looking for academically with the smaller class sizes,” elaborated Grant. “The football program was just the perfect fit for me I really like the direction that Coach [Jeff] Cummings is headed with the team and the history of the players at my position there just made me feel like Acadia was the best place for me to succeed at my position and the guys were awesome to hang around with.”
MORGAN LAWS:
The 6’2, 185 pound receiver/athlete from Fall River, Nova Scotia also opted to stay in his home province to continue his academic and gridiron journey. Recently, Laws finished a high school career with Lockview Dragons of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL). In 2014, he was named NSSAFFL Division 2 Offensive MVP and was selected as a NSSAFFL Division 2 All-Star at the quarterback position.
Overall, Laws was swayed by the team spirit as well as the community and atmosphere surrounding the Axemen community.
“I committed to Acadia because I have always been interested in kinesiology and I want to have the best school experience with a course I enjoy,” expressed Laws. “I also committed to Acadia because of how close the team/school is to the community.”
“I think the football team is very close and welcoming I think that’s awesome and thought I would like to be a part of it.”
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