Varsity Blues add a pair of brothers to their team.
Offensive lineman Mostafa Mehry and Mojtaba Mehry from the Windsor AKO Fratmen (CJFL) have been playing beside one another for a long time. Instead of breaking up a good thing, the pair will be joining the University of Toronto Varsity Blues together.
Mostafa Mehry
Courtesy of Mostafa Mehry.
Compared to Toronto, Ontario, Mostafa and his brother Mojtaba come from a tiny community. Their hometown, Leamington, Ontario, which is on the shores of Lake Erie, has a population of around 27, 600 people, a stark contrast to the 2.8 million people living in Toronto.
“(I wanted) something different, wanted to get out of my comfort zone and explore a new city and school,” Mostafa said of his commitment. “(A) new head coach in Greg Marshall is very exciting and I like where they’re going with the team. Also, the gym facilities are absolutely amazing.”
Moving to a new, and significantly larger, city can be a bit daunting. It’s a good thing that the Varsity Blues’ coaches eased whatever worries Mostafa may have had. “(They’re) very welcoming and great personality-wise coaches. (They) know their stuff and what they’re doing. (They) made me feel at home and were very straightforward and didn’t sugar-coat anything,” he said.
Before playing for the Fratmen for three years, Mostafa spent four years with the Leamington District Secondary School Lions (Windsor and Essex County Secondary Schools Athletic Association). The towering 6’6, 315lbs offensive tackle won two OFC championships with the Fratmen in 2015 and 2017. In 2013, he received the Arnott Lineman of the Year award. This past season, he was an OFC all-star. He is interested in taking Criminology.
Mojtaba Mehry
Courtesy of Mojtaba Mehry.
For as long as Mojtaba has been playing, it seems he has been lining up alongside his brother. That’s not about to change anytime soon. With the pair set to join the Varsity Blues lineman core this summer, Mojtaba is ready for big city living.
“I chose to commit to this school because I was fascinated by the city, the campus and the opportunity that was handed to me. I was interested in playing at a higher level and U of T granted me it. Moving to a big city and to a bigger stage really appealed to me because there is a bigger chance that I’ll be successful,” he said. “I felt like I could help out the o-line, plus the addition of my brother, it all added up nicely for us and for U of T.”
On Mojtaba’s visit, he was enthralled with the Varsity Blues’ coaching staff. “Head Coach Greg Marshall was very nice and straightforward with me, told me everything I needed to hear,” he said. “Donnavan Carter, Bob Mullen and Mark Surya really helped me out on my decision and really made things easier on me. Finally, Joe Cappiello really made me more interested and motivated on committing to the team.”
Standing at a hulking 6’5, 300lbs, the offensive tackle also spent four years with the Lions. He only played two seasons with the Fratmen, however, where he won a 2017 OFC championship in 2017. He will be transferring into Environmental Studies.
“(I’m) just excited to play for Toronto and show them the athletic ability that I can bring to the o-line,” Mojtaba said. “(I’m) excited to play with my brother.”
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