‘Blake Nill is a winner’ says new UBC commit

UBC brings in local commit to their Class of 2017.

When Mario Marra, a middle linebacker from Notre Dame Regional Secondary School, hits the field with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, he knows he will always be given a chance.

“Blake Nill is one of the greatest coaches in U Sports,” he said. “But, his outlook on the program was important to me. He gives everyone a fair shot regardless of age and he just wants to win. Blake Nill is a winner.”

It’s this attitude that may explain why the Thuderbirds’ players are content with the team. Marra said that when he spoke to the team, they said they love it at UBC. Marra added that the school’s great kinesiology program played a major role in his decision.

On top of it all, UBC is located on the stunning shores of the Pacific coast, overlooking mountains. “They have an incredible campus,” Marra said.

Standing at 6’0, 200lbs, Marra, who also long snaps, has been involved with the sport since fourth grade. He has played with Coquitlam Minor Football and the Notre Dame Jugglers (BC Secondary School Athletic Association).

Hailing from Vancouver, BC, Marra has a few titles to his name. In grade 8, he won a provincial championship with the Jugglers. Two years later, he was the lineman of the game in the championship game. In grade 11, he was the provincial AAA MVP. He is a two-time runner up in the finals, his team having dropped both the grade 10 and grade 12 championship match to the Terry Fox Ravens.

#BlueChip … past 3A provincial MVP commits to @ubctbirds . @NDJugglers Mario Marra brings strong desire for success at the next level! pic.twitter.com/1pZfueZsy8

— Blake Nill (@CoachNill) March 7, 2017