Golden Bears land Edmonton recruit (VIDEO)

Edmonton defensive end signs with CWUAA team.

Last year, Alberta Golden Bears Head Coach Chris Morris contacted Seeon Smith.

Morris invited Smith out to Foote Field to talk about the team’s interest in recruiting the 6’2, 235 pound defensive end from Edmonton, Alberta.

Their conversation had such a profound impact.  The end result is that Smith signed on with the Golden Bears for the 2015 CWUAA season.

“For the first twenty minutes he didn’t even mention football,” recalled Smith of his visit with Morris.  “The first thing he asked me was, “What do you want to do after football?”.”

“Coach Morris is fully committed to ensuring his players have futures after football and that was the first thing that really highlighted the University of Alberta as great fit for me. Being a student athlete isn’t easy, but when you have a coach that has system in place that last year saw no one fail, it makes it much easier. I plan on applying to the Faculty of Engineering next year, and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta is one of if not the best in the country.  Engineering is difficult enough as it is, that is why Coach Morris has separate study halls and a PhD Tutor to ensure that his engineers succeed. Playing for the Golden bears would allow me to get a world class education in my own hometown.  He simply offered me something more than money or playing time.  He offered me a future I simply couldn’t refuse.”

Moreover, the football program appealed to the defensive end on so many levels.

“Aside from the academics, the athletics were also unbelievable,” said Smith.  “I had the opportunity to practice and train with the team this summer; when I arrived I began to feel more and more at home.”

“The guys on the team are not only great athletes, but great guys as well. The character, attitude, and energy these guys bring to this team is like something I’ve never felt before. These are the kind of guys you want to go to battle with every week. They’re more than a team, they’re a family. Despite their loss to Calgary two weeks ago, I believe this team can compete and win in this conference.”

Currently, Smith is playing his final season with the Austin O’Brien Crusaders of the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA). In the first three games of the 2014 regular season, he has recorded a sack as well as registered four tackles and eight assisted tackles.

In addition to the Crusaders, the Alberta defensive standout has played for both Millwood Grizzlies (bantam/midget) and Millwood Maulers (peewee/atom).

“As the program continues to grow and develop the University of Alberta can and will be one of the best programs in Canada,” added Smith.  “Coach Morris has done a great job recruiting some of the best players in Canada, and I am honored to be a part of that.”

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