Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 star wide receiver and recent McMaster commit, Josh Vandeweerd. Josh has been playing football for the last nine seasons.
Josh Vandeweerd
Positions:
Wide Receiver, Slotback, Special Teams (Punt Returner, Kick Returner)
Height/Weight:
5’10, 175 lbs
Teams:
Nelson Lords (high school)
Burlington Stampeders (varsity: OFC)
Team Ontario West
Commitment:
Commitment to McMaster University
Class:
2012
In nine seasons of playing football, Josh has dashed his way to success. While playing for the Burlington Stampeders of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC), he had an exceptional campaign this past season and was team MVP.
Having the opportunity twice to represent Team Ontario West at the Football Canada Cup, the offensive gun travelled to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (2009) and Wolfville, Nova Scotia (2010) to participate in the tourney. At the 2009 Cup, Josh won the wide receivers skills competition. Not only was the standout named to the Golden Horseshoe all-star team in 2011, but he was selected once again this season and will play in the upcoming game on May 6th at McMaster University.
However, Josh’s greatest achievements came with his high school team, the Nelson Lords. The offensive star led the team to victory at the Golden Horseshoe Bowl championship title this past season as well as the number one national high school ranking.
Winning the championship title was the most memorable moment of Josh’s football career thus far.
“Nelson has always had a strong football tradition and after losing in the Halton semi-finals the past few years we were determined to βrestore the orderβ,” explains the Lords wide receiver who was also a team captain for the championship team. “It was an amazing experience playing in the Rogers Centre in front of our whole school but an even better accomplishment knowing we had worked so hard towards a common goal and finally achieved it.”
Recently, Josh made his decision on where he will play university football next season. It was not easy to make the decision, but in the end, he picked McMaster University.
“It was a difficult decision but in the end it came down to where my heart was telling me to go,” comments the future Marauders player. “I live only twenty minutes away from Mac and after years of going to games and attending camps it really felt like home.”
Having the encouragement and backing of the coaches who’ve instructed him for the past nine seasons has made it possible for Josh to realize his football dreams.
“Mike Finch was one of my first coaches for the Burlington Stampeders; his passion for football piqued my interest in the game and is one reason I enjoyed playing early on and continue to play today,” says Josh. “My high school head coach for the past few years, Bob Stacey has always motivated me to get better and continues to do so.”
“Jeff Brock, who was the offensive coordinator for both Nelson and this past summerβs OFC Varsity Stampeders team is not only a great offensive mind who I think will coach in the CIS someday but is also a great person who I could always go to for advice both on and off the field.”
Moreover, Josh appreciates and is grateful that his parents have had an active role in his football career.
“Theyβve always been there and supported me throughout this journey and I canβt thank them enough,” adds the Lords wide receiver. “Whether it was driving me to practices or leaving work early to film my games, theyβve done it all.”
“Theyβre the reason I have come this far and I am the person and athlete that I am today.”
Once he enrolls at McMaster, Josh plans to study kinesiology with the career goal of becoming a physiotherapist or athletic trainer. In the future, he aspires to work for a professional athletic team in one of those roles.
The graduating offensive star says since football has been a key part of his life; it would be hard to envision his life without it. By experiencing what he has on the field, Josh knows the key to being successful in football and beyond.
“I think what Iβll take away from it the most is that you have to work hard to become successful and it doesnβt just come out of nowhere,” explains Josh. “Iβve worked so hard to get to where I am today and Iβll continue to work hard until Iβm the best person and football player I can be (if thereβs a limit, that is).”
“This work ethic on the field has also brought me success in the classroom and I think athletes need to realize is if they put the same effort into school work as they do on the field, they will be successful in academics as well.”
Video of Josh’s Football Highlights:
(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)
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