Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 offensive star and recent Wilfrid Laurier commit, Mack Thompson. Mack started his football career in 2009 with the Charles P Allen Cheetahs.
Mack Thompson
Positions:
Tight End, Receiver
Height/Weight:
6’5, 195 lbs
Teams:
Charles P Allen Cheetahs (high school: NSSAFFL)
Metro Mustangs (junior varsity/varsity: NSVFL)
Team Nova Scotia under-18
Commitment:
Commitment to Wilfrid Laurier University
Class:
2012
Since beginning his football career with the Charles P Allen Cheetahs of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL), Mack has developed into a potent, offensive weapon on the field.
For the past two springs, the offensive star has suited up for the Metro Mustangs of the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL). During his time with the Mustangs, he got to experience the taste of victory as the team won the league championship title.
Mack says that he came into his own as a player when he represented Team Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta last year.
“When I started, I was just a tall skinny athlete that didn’t know very much about football but with the help of some great coaches I began to understand and love the game making me develop as a football player,” explains Mack, who also attended the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) camp and was the top receiver there.
The Cheetahs wide receiver experienced the highlight of his young football career as he led his team this past season to a successful campaign in the NSSAFFL.
“My most memorable football experience was being a leader on a great all around team this previous season and helping to defeat our bitter rivals Sir John A for the first time in history on route to losing a heartbreaking game in the semi-finals of the league’s playoffs,” says Mack, who served as one of the team captains.
Next season will mark a new chapter in Mack’s football career. He has committed to playing tight end for Wilfrid Laurier.
“I committed to Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks because I liked the atmosphere of the school, enjoyed all their facilities and coaches making it the best option for me,” adds the future Golden Hawks player of his reasons for selecting the campus.
Part of his successful growth as an offensive standout comes from the instruction and guidance of the coaches Mack has been fortunate to have over the last few years. In particular, the influences of Blair Ryan, Mike McPherson and Todd Galloway.
“My coach Blair Ryan has been an extremely influential part of my life as a coach and mentor,” explains Mack. “He has taught me many things on the football field but more importantly he has forced me to push myself to become better everyday no matter what I am doing and he has taught me numerous life lessons that I will try to use going forward in my life.”
“Two other coaches that helped me develop as a football player are Cheetahs head coach Mike McPherson and Todd Galloway, who I can honestly say have made me the player I am today.”
Having the backing of his parents makes it easier for the graduating offensive star to attain football and life goals.
“My family have been the ones who have supported me the most in my life through thick and thin,” says Mack. “My mother and father have been to all of my games and have always let me persue my dreams in life whether in football or not.”
Academically, Mack plans to study biochemistry at Wilfrid Laurier. While he plans to obtain a Master’s degree in this field of study, he is unsure of what career route he will lean towards once football and school is completed.
No matter how the next chapter of his life unfolds at Wilfrid Laurier, the Cheetahs graduating receiver will take the education he’s learned from the gridiron and apply it to all aspects of life in order to be successful.
“Football has given me the tools to become a successful human being,” adds Mack. “It has helped me with teamwork, leadership, commitment, dedication and made me believe that with hard work anything is possible.”
Cheetahs head coach Mike McPherson had enjoyed coaching Mack and watching his growth over the years into the player he is today.
“It has been a pleasure coaching Mack the last few seasons and seeing him develop as both a football player and young man,” comments the Cheetahs head coach. “He was very deserving of our most improved player award, he has certainly come a long way from his grade 10 year with the Cheetahs.”
In his last three seasons with the Cheetahs, the star receiver was invaluable to the team for many reasons. When the Cheetahs had a successful NSSAFFL season that propelled them into the playoffs, they were without Mack’s services late in the season due to injury.
“His athleticism caught up with his height and he continues to get better and betterat the receiver position,” explains McPherson. “He was a tremendous asset for us both in the passing and running game, as we often counted on him for big blocks and gaining the edge in our running attack.”
“Mack unfortunately broke his collar bone late in the year and we certainly missed having his services around during our playoff run.”
Not only was Mack effective on the gridiron, but away from it as well. The Cheetahs head coach is anticipating great things in the future from the graduating receiver.
“Mack is also a great leader and a great student,” says MacPherson. ” We look forward to following his development and success at the university level.”
Video of Mack’s Football Highlights:
Photos 2 and 3 courtesy of Joe Chrvala of Cheetahs Football)
(website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jchrvala)
(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
CFC Youth Game Spotlight: Quebec OL ready to lock it down
