Lancers add three out-of-province commits to their 2018 class.
Athlete Denver MacDonald from Souris Regional High School and quarterback Brett Conlon from Cochrane High School may have committed to the University of Windsor Lancers for different reasons, but the pair are both striving towards the same goal, helping the team achieve something great.
Offensive lineman Sajjun Shokar from St. Thomas More Collegiate will also be joining the Lancers.
Denver MacDonald
Courtesy of Denver MacDonald.
The ‘MacDonald’ name is well-known in university football. “It’s an honour to have this opportunity to be the third member of my family in U Sports football,” Denver MacDonald said. His uncle, Kent MacDonald, played in a Vanier Cup with Mount Allison in 1984. His cousin, Josh MacDonald, spent five years playing between the Concordia Stingers and the Calgary Dinos.
Now, MacDonald will be looking to make a name for himself on the Lancers. “To me, Windsor just seemed to offer the complete package. The area of the town and school was appealing to me. The campus was amazing, and I really like the city and the surrounding areas,” he said.
“It offers me an amazing school to develop football wise and as a student. Everyone from future Windsor teammates to fellow students were all very welcoming and made me feel very at home in Windsor,” he added.
MacDonald, who is interested in the concurrent education program with a major in French, continued to praise the hospitality presented to him. He said the coaches have been absolutely amazing and everyone has been accommodating and thoughtful during his recruitment.
“A huge thanks to Coach Beardy, who was amazing in the process, and having the opportunity to speak to all members of the program like Head Coach D’Amore, Coach Flamia and Coach Nesbitt made it so much easier to choose an amazing program like Windsor,” MacDonald said.
He added that, “Everyone was amazing with all aspects from explaining where Windsor could lead me to everyday questions about the football program, the school and the town of Windsor, very excited to have the opportunity to work with these amazing coaches.”
The towering 6’6, 245lbs fullback and slotback has only been playing for three years with one year of coaching experience under his belt. He spent one year with the Kings County Steelers (BTFL) and two with the Souris Wildcats (PEISSAA) in his hometown of Little Pond, PEI. After being sidelined with an injury in grade 12, MacDonald turned to coaching where he helped the offence.
Brett Conlon
Courtesy of Brett Conlon.
Once the Lancers showed Brett Conlon some love, they never let him forget that he was wanted. “Windsor has the most caring, thoughtful coaches I have ever met. There was not a day that went by where I felt unwanted. Windsor is growing in the right direction and I would love to be apart of that process,” he said.
“The Windsor university staff is one of the finest staffs in Canada. The amount of dedication they put into students’ everyday life is unreal. While being here and talking to some, I already feel that sense of family where I didn’t feel anywhere else, and that’s special,” he added.
Conlon, who is 6’2, 220lbs, is interested in human kinetics and kinesiology.
While Conlon was born in Burns Lake, BC, he currently lives in Cochrane, Alberta, where he played with the Cochrane Cobras (RVFL). He also played with the Rocky View Rage (AAA). During his time with the Cobras, he was named as a league all-star, an MVP and, in his junior years, he received two scout awards. He also helped his team to three straight provincial championships.
“Windsor has the right players and people. Through the new expansion, I don’t know what else we would need to complete with these bigger schools,” Conlon said. “Being in the small town of Windsor, I’m excited for what’s to come with growth and expansion.”
Sajjun Shokar
Sajjun Shokar is from Burnaby, BC, where he played with the St. Thomas More Knights (BCSSFA). Last season, Shokar was named to the Eastern Conference all-star team.
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