Striking a connection (VIDEO)

OUA team scores fifth commitment this month.

One OUA team has once again struck recruitment gold.

Yesterday morning, Nick Thun became the fifth recruit to commit to the Guelph Gryphons this month.  The 6’0, 270 offensive lineman from Burlington, Ontario felt that it was the perfect fit for him from both the football and academic standpoints.

“Being one of several schools in Ontario to offer a Criminology program, with great academic support for student athletes and an amazing football program, I felt that University of Guelph was the right choice for me,” expressed Thun after his commitment.

Another factor in the offensive lineman’s commitment was the Gryphon’s coaching staff.  During his gridiron career, Thun has been fortunate to be instructed by some of the coaches and thus tipped the scale in his choice. Ultimately, he felt comfortable and right at home with the entire football program.

“Throughout my time playing on Team Ontario and with the Burlington Stampeders program, I have had the privilege of being coached by many of these top notch coaches,” said Thun.  “These coaches are some of the best in the CIS and that is shown with the recent success of the Gryphon program (ie:  Todd Galloway, Mike MacDonald, Bill Brown)”

“Being coached by Mike MacDonald for the past couple seasons has definitely been a huge part in my choice of becoming a Gryphon. I feel a great connection with him that has elevated my game.  I have always been welcomed with open arms by the coaching staff and the players which gave me that feeling of being part of the family.”

What helped to solidify the offensive lineman’s commitment is the influx of players that have joined the Gryphons program in recent days and the wealth of talent and experience on the current roster.

“With the recent commitments to the Guelph program and several players on the existing team, all whom I have played with, it made the decision of going to Guelph easier,” added Thun.

Finally, there was a personal reason that he choose the Gryphons.

“Being close to home will allow family and friends to watch me play at the CIS level,” commented Thun.

During his career, Thun has played for the Burlington Stampeders of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) and his high school team, Corpus Christi Longhorns of the Halton Secondary School Athletic Association (HSSAA).  He guided the Longhorns to two consecutive Halton Tier 1 Championship Finals (2011, 2012). This past winter, he was a member of the 2013 Team Ontario Selects squad that travelled to Austin, Texas to play against Team USA. In July 2012, he served as Captain of Team Ontario West’s entry at the Football Canada Cup tournament in London, Ontario, where led the team to a bronze medal finish.

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