Family ties, location draw 3 to Acadia

Acadia brings in two provincial commits and one out-of-province commit to their 2018 class.

While offensive lineman Mitch Miller from Horton High School, receiver Will McNally from Bernice MacNaughton High School and linebacker Ben Brumm from Dartmouth High School have different ties to the school, all three will be looking to etch their own names into the Acadia Axemen history books.

Mitch Miller

There is nothing quite like the sound of cheering fans, and Mitch Miller has heard his fair share of excitement from his home in Port Williams, Nova Scotia. “I really love the idea of staying around home and I grew up watching Acadia play. I live right across the water from the field and every game I could hear the roar of the crowd and that’s what made me want to start playing,” he said.

“I have known the coaches for a while and have grown up around Acadia and football,” added Miller, who is interested in community development. “I have gotten lots of opportunities to have chats with them here and there. I really like the coaches and how they run their team on and off the field.”

The 6’0, 260lbs centre has been involved in football for eight years. He has played for the Valley Bulldogs (VMFA) and the Horton Griffins (NSSAFFL). During his time with the Bulldogs he has been recognized with a few leadership awards. Last season he was co-offensive lineman of the year.

Will McNally

Will McNally won’t be the first “McNally” to play for the Axemen. “I’ve had family play for Acadia football in the past and had grown up watching them,” he said. “Also, my uncle is the special teams’ coach, so it’s cool that I can learn from his experiences.”

Last season, McNally had the opportunity to catch some Acadia games. “I could see myself as apart of the team and program. Staying at the campus for a week during the Canada Cup over the summer really confirmed to me that I could adapt to the environment the program has to offer,” he said.

During spring camp, McNally said he was given an on-field view of how the Axemen operate, “letting me soak in some key coaching points so I know what to expect…Head Coach Cummins was named U Sports coach of the year, which speaks for itself.”

He added that, “For receivers, Coach Squires has been nice to me and reaching out…I’ve had a very positive vibe so far with the coaching staff.”

Standing at 6’3, 180lbs, McNally has been playing with the Bernice MacNaughton Highlanders (NBIAA) since grade nine. Last season he was the Highlanders’ overall MVP and the team’s offensive player of the year. He also received a leadership award. The product of Moncton, New Brunswick, will be taking engineering in university.

Ben Brumm

The 2017 season was not kind to Ben Brumm. He was sidelined with an injury, but he didn’t let it ruin his year. “Honestly, I’ve been through a lot in the past year. But during that hard time, I promised myself that no matter what I will become something great, something people will remember,” he said.

“I will not stop at anything and I currently live and breath football. I will do anything I can do make my family proud,” he added.

With a strong conviction, Brumm will be looking to take his hard-work ethic with him to the Axemen. “I chose to commit to Acadia because I fell in love with the environment,” he said. “Coach Cummins is a very hard-working and personable coach, which I see as an ideal and someone I can respect. I’ve watched their practices and their practices are focused and hard-working.”

Brumm, who is will be taking kinesiology, added he also chose the school for the academics. His sister is an Acadia alumnus as well.

Hailing from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Brumm, who is 6’0, 205lbs, spent four years playing minor football and two years with the Dartmouth High School Spartans (NSSAFFL). In his junior year he was the defensive MVP and an all-star linebacker for the province.