Class 2012: Andrew Wilhelm decides Guelph is the perfect fit (Video)

Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 star receiver and recent University of Guelph commit, Andrew Wilhelm. Andrew has played eleven football seasons.

Andrew Wilhelm

Positions:
Receiver, Safety

Height/Weight:
6’1, 185 lbs

Teams:
Brantford Collegiate Mustangs (high school)
Brantford Bisons (peewee/junior varsity/varsity: OVFL)

Commitment:
Commitment to University of Guelph

Class:
2012

Having played for his high school team, the Brantford Collegiate Mustangs as well as the Brantford Bisons of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL), Andrew has made a significant impact on and off the field.

Not only has he served as captain of all his teams, but the star receiver has been awarded with many honours. Among them are Mustangs team MVP and best male athlete for his graduating class at Brantford Collegiate.

The school also honoured Andrew with the Mary Walsh Memorial award. It is given to a student who best exemplifies athletics, academics and leadership. However, the biggest honour the graduating player received was the Frank Bricker Memorial award, which was given by the city of Brantford for athletics, leadership, and citizenship.

Andrew has experienced many special football moments but there is one experience in particular that resonates with him. While the Mustangs suffered a semi-final loss against one of the best teams in Ontario, there was a silver lining for the standout.

“They had previously blown us out that season, but in the semi-final we had them within 3 points ,and even had a lead for a lot of the game,” explains the Mustangs receiver who also made the Golden Horseshoe all-star team. “I ended up having a big game receiving with about 100 yards, and a 60 yard kick return.”

“The atmosphere on the sideline was unbelievable.”

Continuing his football career beyond high school, Andrew has recently committed to the University of Guelph. Thefamily-like atmosphere of the locker room and what the school had to offer academically were some of the deciding factors in Andrew’s decision.

“It seems like a team that’s preparing for something big, and I am hoping to be a part of that,” adds the future Gryphons player. “The coaching staff really seemed interested in me as a player and I think it just felt like that’s where I would fit best.”

“My parents also fell in love with what the coaching staff offered their players, even outside of football, as far as academic success.”

The drive to succeed in football came early on in his young football career. A coach told Andrew that he was too slow and uncoordinated to be a receiver. However, the standout refused to accept that and wanted to prove all the doubters wrong. He has been able to do so thanks in great part to the other coaches who believed in him: Jordan Chater, Ilyas Zylstra, Dave Giancola, Sean Doucette, and Dan Fisher.

The graduating receiver credits his parents for instilling a hard work ethic in him so he can achieve all his football and life goals.

“They have supported me throughout my career, and ensured every opportunity presented to me could be utilized,” says Andrew.

Furthermore, Andrew’s sister has been a strong source of encouragement while giving him sound advice.

“My sister also played a huge role in my life,” comments the star receiver. “She always kept telling me that football isn’t everything in life, and that I would have to be successful in other avenues of life as well.”

Part of being successful in life endeavours for Andrew has been to shed the “dumb jock” stereotype. So far, he’s been able to achieve so many feats away from the field. Academically, he has attained a 90 percent average in six courses.

As a leader off the field, Andrew has been involved with many youth leadership programs where he reaches out to other high school and elementary students to guide them through the process of being a kid. Also, the standout sacrifices his lunch hours in order to edit essays and assist with struggling students in his role as an English tutor.

Once he arrives at Guelph, Andrew will enroll in criminology courses and has a future career goal of being a police officer. Having achieved major milestones so far in football and life endeavours, the future Gyphons player will continue to use one key ingredient in the quest for achieving further success.

“No matter what I was doing, what kind of mood i’m in, if I stepped out on that field, I would enjoy myself,” says Andrew. “It has shown me that you have to work for everything you get, because nothing is handed to you.”

“I have met many of my best friends on the football field. I just love the game.”

Video of Andrew’s Football Highlights:

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