The room is full of energy as the boys excitedly mill about while star of the day, Jonathan Femi-Cole, sits on a couch, his teammates nearby in solidarity.
The cameras are ready. A pen sits on a small stack of white papers. Jonathan is wearing his University of Minnesota (U of M) sweater and fiddling with the brim on his U of M cap. He is awaiting a signal from Varsity Football Coach Len Gurr to sign his NCAA D1 commitment.
It only takes a second, but when Jonathan picks up that pen and signs his name, his teammates erupt in cheers, joining him in front of the cameras for a few quick shots.
“I will be forever grateful for the opportunities I have been given at St. Andrew’s,” said Jonathan. “The chance to grow academically and athletically has truly paved the way for me.”
St. Andrew’s has been a game-changer for Jonathan. The experiences, he says, have transformed his life and that he has met the School’s motto of “developing the compete man, the well-rounded citizen.”
“We are tremendously proud and excited for Jonathan,” said Coach Gurr. “When he enrolled at St. Andrew’s three years ago, we knew he’d have the chance to accomplish great things. To see him here now is a thrill for all of us.”
“Growing up you dream about going to a D1 school, but growing up in Canada that dream is a lot more far-fetched,” said the grade 12 student. He knew he was going to attend U of M last year after a visit to the campus and a meet and greet with the players and coaches. “What Coach Kill and the coaching staff have done [at U of M] is amazing. And I am glad that I can now be a part of it and help contribute to the program’s future success.”
A growing number of players have come from varsity sports teams at SAC. However, Coach Gurr believes that Jonathan is the most naturally talented football player he has coached.
“We look forward to seeing him represent our football program in the Big Ten Conference,” Coach Gurr added. “There is nothing left for him to accomplish at the high school level. He is ready to compete against the very best on college football’s biggest stage.”
Story by Nicolette Fleming
