Regina’s Daniel Woloshin off to Minot State in 2011

Daniel Woloshin is going to play division 2 football in 2011 at Minot State. He has played football for 9 years in both Regina Minor Football and high school. He was named a captain for his high school team, Riffel, this year and was selected to attend the Saskatchewan Elite 100 camp. For 8 years he has played Defensive line, but had to play offensive line in his senior year for high school because that is what the team needed him to do. He has committed to Minot State as a defensive lineman.

CFC asked Daniel why he chose Minot State and these were his reasons:

“I chose Minot for a couple of different reasons. The biggest one was the fact that they we an NCAA Division II program, and has been a dream of mine to play in the NCAA for a while now. Location also played a factor in the decision, being the closest NCAA program to Regina, my parents, family and friends could watch me play as well as I could come back for weekends when football didn’t conflict. I feel like Minot State allows me to excel both Academically as well as Athletically and this is important because Academics are high on my priority list. But when i went down for the camp last summer at MSU, I quickly realized that the coaches and fellow teammates care for each other and you on and off the field. That family atmosphere is really what impressed me with the program.”

What coaches have helped you along the way?

“My last two coaches that have helped me a lot were Jon Baxter and John Bollen. Coach Bollen was definitely a players coach and put a lot of trust in the team and players. He allowed us to have fun during practices and when we played which really made playing for him really enjoyable. Coach Bollen was as committed as us players for staying after school for 2 hours all year long, even when we aren’t practicing, just to keep a watchful eye on us in the weight room. Coach Baxter was probably the individual who ignited my passion to carry on and play football by matching our teams intensity with his own. His speech at the beginning of the year is “I’m not here to be your friend, because i am going to make you do things your friend will never make you do, your friends will be the ones beside you doing it.” That quote describes him in a nutshell. He was the most strict coach i have ever had, with sprints and runs dailey, every practice numerous times. At the time I didn’t like it but looking back i realized that it helped the team bond together and get better. Coach Baxter told me I can carry on football for as long as I want. I have went to help intern coach on coach Baxter’s team and I am grateful that he has given me the chance to try my hand at coaching to. Both these men I have the upmost respect for, and need to thank them for everything they have done for me. Also it goes without saying I have to thank my parents because they were the ones spending countless hours driving me to games and practices and helping me become the person I am on and off the field as well forcing me to go to practice and putting in camps when I didn’t really want to. Looking back at it I am grateful they forced me into some of those camps. Without them, and the opportunities they have given my I would not be close to where I am now. My goal is to one day make it up to them somehow!”

What is your most memorable football experience?

“Probably playing in the Elite 100 game (Saskatchewan) where I played really well and notched a couple sacks, or simply having fun on the bus rides back to the school after we won a high school game. Also just playing football in the park with my brother Scott, and my cousins JJ and Quinn dailey in the summer time. Need to thank them for balling with me when not many other people felt like it.”

As well as a football player Daniel is an Honour Roll student.