Class 2012: Jamie Lalonde focuses on future career with Guelph Gryphons

Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 center and recent University of Guelph commit Jamie Lalonde. Jamie’s playing days started with the Sir Allan MacNab Lions.

Jamie Lalonde

Positions:
Centre, Long Snapper

Height/Weight:
6’3, 300 lbs

Teams:
Sir Allan MacNab Lions (high school)
Hamilton-Wentworth Panthers (OFC)
Team Ontario West

Commitment:
Committed to University of Guelph

Class:
2012

Not only has Jamie found success during his high school career with the Lions, but has also accomplished major feats while playing with the Hamilton-Wentworth Panthers of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC).

Over the course of his young football career, the standout has been selected to play in the Golden Horseshoe all-star game twice (2011, 2012). The graduating centre made a name for himself when he was selected to Team West and played in the Steel City Bowl game three straight times (2009-2011). Serving as a two time captain of the team, he was also lineman of the year in the 2011 Bowl game.

Additionally, Jamie experienced the highlight of his football career in 2010 when he represented Team Ontario West at the Canada Football Cup in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Most recently, Jamie decided that he will play the next level of football at the University of Guelph. The future Gryphons player says he was impressed by what he saw with his future team and familiarity with some of the coaches also weighed in on his decision.

“I chose to go there because I really like the direction the program is headed,” explains Jamie of his reasons for committing to Guelph. “Coach Stu Lang is doing some exciting things there, and probably the biggest thing is the relationship I have with the coaches, in particular Coach Mike MacDonald.”

The recruiting process can be a very hectic and uncertain time for a player. Jamie is no exception to this; however, he was able to weather the recruiting storm with the his parents support.

“They have always been there especially through these past couple of years helping me with the recruiting process because it does get very stressful,” adds Jamie.

Even though his main future goal is to play football for as long as possible, the graduating center will study social sciences at Guelph. Someday, Jamie would like to become a teacher.

However, the Lions star player’s current focus is preparing for his upcoming rookie season with the Gryphons. Whether it’s on the field, in the classroom or any other aspect of life, Jamie has found the winning recipe in achieving success in all avenues.

“I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned from football, that applies to my life would be perseverance, because in football and life nobody is perfect, and we all make mistakes but I’ve learned it’s the person that makes the least amount of mistakes is going to win,” says Jamie.

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