Hamilton,
01
October
2018
|
07:52 AM
America/New_York

WHY ATHLETES CHOOSE MOHAWK

Excellent coaches and great facilities give Mohawk the competitive edge

Varsity volleyball athlete Amye Pellow was considering three colleges and three universities as she neared graduation from her London, Ontario high school.

She was focused on nursing and all six schools had excellent academic and athletic programs. Pellow chose Mohawk College because it stood out as the best fit.

“It just drew me right in,“ said the second-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student. “I definitely made the right decision. Athletically, I couldn‘t be happier and academically, I‘m 100 per cent sure I made the right choice for me.“

The David Braley Athletics Recreation Centre, which opened about five years ago, offers stateof- the-art amenities to all of Mohawk‘s athletic programs, says Michelle Ball, Director of Student Engagement and Athletics. It includes a fitness centre, multi-purpose studio, indoor track, and three full-size gyms.

“When Mohawk has a similar academic program to another college, athletes will look at the facilities available. We know the centre has influenced decisions to attend here.“

Mohawk‘s varsity sports roster includes 14 teams: basketball (men and women), volleyball (men and women), soccer (men and women), golf (co-ed), badminton (co-ed), cross-country (co-ed), curling (coed), indoor soccer (men and women), rugby (men), and softball (women).

About 180 varsity athletes suit up to represent the Mohawk Mountaineers in the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA). “I think we are really fortunate because we have an excellent varsity program at Mohawk,“ said Kevin Duffy, head coach of the women‘s basketball team. “I can tell you that whenever I invite parents or rep teams to see our team, they are impressed with the quality of athletics and facilities at Mohawk.“

The women‘s basketball team has earned OCAA medals five straight years and Mohawk has recently fielded strong teams in volleyball, softball and men‘s basketball, and earned individual medals in golf and curling over the last several seasons.

Ball says one-quarter of Mohawk‘s athletes have averages above 85 per cent. “Our success isn‘t just on the court or the field but in the classroom. Our athletes are here for school first.“