Gatineau recruit ecstatic of chance to play at McMaster

Gatineau defensive lineman recently joins OUA team’s 2015 class.

Griffin Harding will be commencing his CIS career in Ontario.

Recently, the 6’0, 260 pound defensive lineman from Gatineau, Quebec committed to the McMaster Marauders.  Harding will join the team for the 2015 OUA season.

His main reason for choosing the Marauders was the academic reputation of the Hamilton, Ontario campus. Additionally, Harding has taken a shine to the community and city itself.

“I chose McMaster primarily for the academics and having the right program for me,” elaborated the Quebec defensive lineman.  “The campus is first rate.”

“The school’s reputation as being among the best in the country was also a huge selling point and of course visiting the campus I felt at home. Everyone I have met involved with the school, seem to be genuinely disinterested in doing the minim. They want to be actively involved with their community and to overachieve. Something I think I’ve tried to do most of my life. I also really like Hamilton. It’s a city on the rise.”

Furthermore, the strength of the football program appealed to Harding.

“The secondary reason was due to the quality of the football program, which of course starts with the coaching and ends with the opportunity to play in front of 5000 people at every home game,” said the lineman. “The facilities are top notch.”

“Every athlete wants to be trained by the best and be pushed by the best in every practice to become your best. McMaster for me is that program. And being from Quebec, it’s exciting being part of a football program that is capable of beating Laval in a Vanier Cup.”

Harding comes to the Marauders after suiting up for Trinity College Bears of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA).  Throughout his gridiron career, he has received several honours including Captain, Sun Youth Midget AAA (Quebec Champions 2013), Captain Quebec Midget AAA All-Stars, MVP of the QBFL vs OVFL  game (2014),  Bears Defensive MVP (2014), Lineman of the Year (2013, 2014) Leadership Excellence Award (2014) and Athletic Distinction (2014).

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