Class 2012: Justin Vanderlaan returns home to play for Saint Mary’s Huskies

Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 offensive tackle and recent Saint Mary’s University commit, Justin Vanderlaan. Justin began playing football at the age of ten.

Justin Vanderlaan

Positions:
Offensive Tackle

Height/Weight:
6’8.5, 330 lbs

Teams:
Holy Cross Crusaders (high school)
Ontario Provincial Police Junior Football League
Team Nova Scotia under-17, under-18

Commitment:
Committed to Saint Mary’s University

Class:
2012

In grade five, Justin experienced his first taste of competitive football while playing in the Ontario Provincial Police Junior League. He would continue to play in the minor league until grade eight. The next season, the standout moved over to his high school team, the Holy Cross Crusaders (Kingston, Ontario).

During his time with the Crusaders, Justin experienced a lot of success. In his rookie campaign, the team went all the way to the championship finals. The next season, the Crusaders had a perfect record at 8-0 and for his efforts on the field; Justin was team offensive lineman MVP.

Even a change of scenery in 2010 didn’t affect the star offensive lineman’s game. Moving from Kingston, Ontario back to New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Justin played for the provincial under-17 team in the winter. In the two games that the team played, they were undefeated. Additionally, the standout was recognized with an award for top sportsmanship and represented the province at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta this past July as a member of the under-18 team.

However, Justin was unable to play high school football because Northumberland Regional High School did not have a team. He wanted to be able to play more football so he made the decision to move back alone to Kingston.

Rejoining the Crusaders has been the most memorable experience of Justin’s football career.

“This gave me the opportunity to once again play for Holy Cross Crusaders,” explains the graduating offensive lineman, who just completed his ninth football season. “It was nice to see my old offensive linemen and together we created the best offensive line in KASSAA football.”

“Even though we were only 4-4 it didn’t matter, I got to finish where I started and play football with my old team.”

Most recently, Justin decided where he will play university ball. He will return to Nova Scotia and suit up for the Saint Mary’s University Huskies (SMU) while pursuing a degree in criminology. Coming back home and having the opportunity to realize his football dreams made the decision easy for him.

“I believe that the football program at Saint Mary’s will be able to give me ample opportunities to become a top CIS offensive lineman,” says the future Huskies’ player who hopes to continue to bring his wealth of experience to football. “I would like to continue on with football as far as possible, and see myself achieving this goal at Saint Mary’s.”

“My family is also in the relative area, as this was a huge factor in my decision.”

Driven by the motivation and support his family, Justin has been able to achieve new feats on and off the field.

“They are always pushing for me to get better, and reach out for new dreams and accomplish them,” adds the graduating star, whose off-field goal is to get into the RCMP. “They never complain about driving three hours for a two hour practice and are at all of my games.”

The individual who’s had the most profound impact on Justin’s football career is Queen’s Golden Gaels offensive tackle, Josh Prinsen.

“He got me started with football,” comments Justin. “I have always sort of fallen into his footsteps.”

Overall, Justin has realized his goals due to the time and sacrifices he’s made and knows the key ingredient for success: hard work. He plans to continue working hard so he can achieve new feats in the next chapter of his football career at SMU.

“What you put into it is what you get out,” says Justin. “Hard work always pays off, and no matter what the circumstance is anything is possible.”

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)