Class 2012: Cole Munden to tackle next football chapter at McMaster (Video)

Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 star linebacker and recent McMaster Marauders commit, Cole Munden. Cole began his football career at 12 years of age.

Cole Munden

Positions:
Linebacker (Outside, Middle, Hybrid Back)

Height/Weight:
6’1, 210 lbs

Teams:
Abbey Park Eagles (high school)
Burlington Stampeders (varsity: OFC)
Halton Cowboys (junior varsity: OVFL)
Oakville Titans (junior varsity: SCOFL)
Halton Invictas (peewee: OMFL)

Commitment:
Commitment to McMaster University

Class:
2012

Since the first time Cole held a football in his hands, he fell in love with the sport. Originally starting out as a receiver, the standout moved over to the outside linebacker position when he played for his high school team, the Abbey Park Eagles.

Over the years, the Eagles graduating player has suited up for the peewee Halton Invictas of the Ontario Minor Football League (OMFL), the junior varsity Oakville Titans of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC), junior varsity Halton Cowboys of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and the varsity Burlington Stampeders of the OFC.

With the exception of the Titans, Cole has served as captain of the teams he’s played with in his career. Additionally, he has received many honours for his impressive play; including Invictas team defensive MVP, Cowboys best linebacker, Eagles most passionate player and the Defensive Eagle award. Cole was also part of the Titans team that won a junior varsity South Central Ontario Football League (SCOFL) title.

Most recently, the Eagles standout was pleased to learn he had been selected to represent the Golden Horseshoe all-star team that will take part in the GTA game on May 6th at McMaster University.

“I have never been on an all-star team so it is very exciting to be competing with the top players in the Golden Horseshoe and GTA,” adds Cole.

Even though he’s played on many teams, the graduating linebacker says his time with the Eagles was special.

“Just playing for Abbey Park was an amazing football experience and I have played with a lot of talented athletes who had become good friends of mine,” says Cole. “Coach Mike Linton and John Maras have also been amazing coaches who have taught me a lot about the game and about life.”

“This group of people have always supported me and continue to do it, and I have a lot of thanks towards them.”

The most memorable experience of his football career came this past season when the Eagles defeated Notre Dame, an elite, powerful Burlington team who’s won the Golden Horseshoe title twice in a row.

“It was a game fought hard by both teams,” adds Cole. “Defeating this school was memorable because I felt that it would really show stronger schools that Abbey Park football should not be taken lightly.”

Next up for the graduating linebacker is making more football memories at McMaster University. Cole says that he’s always felt comfortable with the school.

“It was the first university I had been to in grade nine for a football camp, and ever since then it has been home to me,” comments the future Marauders player. “The coaching staff consists of great people that know the game very well and I have known them for some time so I trust them.”

Not only was the football program a factor in his decision.

“It is an amazing school with great academics as well as athletics,” says Cole. “I plan to be taking Business at McMaster, and I hear they have an excellent program.”

“The university is also close to home which was another factor in my decision.”

To prepare him for the next level of football, the Eagles graduating player has been training at the Sports Specific Training facility in Oakville since grade 11. Cole credits trainers Kevin Eiben and Delroy Rhooms for making him a better all-around athlete.

“They have made me a better athlete, and my work ethic in that gym plus their nutritional advice have made me bigger, faster, and stronger,” says the linebacker of the impact of his training.

Cole has looked up to and emulated NFL defensive great, Jack Lambert. During his high school football career, Cole decided to change his jersey number to 58 in honour of Lambert. The Eagles linebacker says that Lambert was one of the most feared defensive players in the game who always played to win.

“He was not one of the biggest linebackers and I have always had that problem in the past,” explains Cole. “When he first entered the NFL a lot of people doubted him because of his size and I would always get down about my size but I would play hard every down just like Jack Lambert.”

“Lambert was a player that was in on alot of tackles he was also a player that backed up his team members and led one of the best defences in the history of the NFL.”

Having cheerleaders on the sidelines has made it possible for Cole to flourish not only as a player but a person as well. Wayne and Virginia Munden (Cole’s parents) are those cheerleaders.

“My father was the person who got me into sports like hockey and football and he has helped me get better through advice and always being there to support me in games,” comments the standout. “He encourages me to train hard and play hard because it will payoff in the end while my mother pushes me to do well in school and she the person who encourages me to study hard and maintain my 86 average.”

“My father and mother raised me to be a person who tries his hardest in everything he does and to have good morals.”

Football has given the star linebacker a ton of confidence, a hard work ethic, and leadership skills which has been beneficial in achieving all his goals on and off the field. He will take those skills and use them into the next chapter at McMaster.

“Whether I am working out, in school, or doing something else, I try my hardest and keep trying harder when something else comes in my way,” says Cole. “Football has also given me more confidence and has made me more of a leader.”

“I am able to speak up and lead a group much better with the help of football.”

Video of Cole’s Football Highlights:

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