Concordia Stingers commits ready to work hard

Concordia adds two local commits to their 2018 class.

CFC100 defensive back Derek Acheampong and receiver Christopher Valentine from Vanier College are now Concordia Stingers, and you bet they’re taking every second they can to appreciate that fact.

CFC100 Derek Acheampong

Courtesy of Derek Acheampong.

Derek Acheampong is not the same player he was when he started his career. “I’m happy to be able to play the game I love at the university level. I’ve come a long way from where I started. I’m ready to start and to get to work and evolve as a player,” he said.

“I choose Concordia because it’s home for me and the RSEQ is probably the best conference in the game. My goal is to compete against the best,” he added.

The 6’0, 188lbs corner is already familiar with Coach Spiro, who he has had a good relationship with over the years. “He’s a great football coach and defensive back coach,” he said. “But, overall, the Stingers have a caring and loving coaching staff.”

Acheampong played with both Les Bulldogs de Laval (QMFL) and the Vanier College Cheetahs (RSEQ Division 1). He will be majoring in sociology.

Christopher Valentine

Staring down his final year at Vanier College, Christopher Valentine learned a valuable lesson he won’t soon forget. “I was deprived of my senior season at Vanier due to an off the field issue in the classroom. When that happened, I realized how important school really was,” he said. “I enrolled in a real-estate program to get a licence. Now I’m taking classes at LaSalle college still and preparing for the 2018 season.”

During his hiatus from the Cheetahs, whom he played for for three years, Valentine, who is 6’3, 200lbs, suited up for the Chateauguay Raiders (QJFL). He led the league in receptions and was third in yards. He also helped the team win a QJFL championship.

Now, Valentine will be looking to take his talents to the next level. “I chose Concordia because I am greatly interested in the programs offered at the school, the facilities available for students and athletes as well as the location and the great history behind it… it has always been a dream of mine to attend a university in my hometown,” he said.

While Valentine received interest from three other schools, he said they were too far away for his liking. He is from Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Montréal and is interested in taking studio arts. He was the 2017 recipient of the Graduor Inc. bursary.

With his sights set on home, the Stingers’ coaches welcomed him into their family. “The coaching staff at Concordia was very welcoming and respectful. They made my decision to attend Concordia a very easy decision to make,” he said. “The coaching staff is very experienced and I’m looking forward to starting the training camp!”

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