Temple adds an international commit to their 2019 class.
Playing NCAA football has been a longstanding dream for Remy Bikowski, an offensive lineman from Fork Union Military Academy, and it’s about to become a reality after signing with the Temple Owls.
“After suffering from a broken leg in the spring of my junior year, my recruitment opportunities dwindled and my dream of playing across the border seemingly vanished,” Bikowski said. “I ignored the ‘odds’ and after hundreds of hours of physiotherapy and training, I feel ready to play again.”
Bikowski is originally from Woodstock, Ontario, where he played with the London Junior Mustangs (OPFL) and the WMFA Wolverines. He then moved to Fork Union, Virginia, where he played a grade 13 season with the Fork Union Military Academy Blue Devils.
FUMA wasn’t always on his radar, however. Jacob Ruby, a FUMA alumnus and player for the Edmonton Eskimos, recommended it to him. He then received a scholarship from the school. “I knew the opportunity was my chance to achieve my dream and I seized it,” he said. “Choosing to enroll at FUMA for a post-grad year was a tough but straightforward decision.”
His time with the Blue Devils was well spent, and he caught the attention of Temple’s coaches. “Coach Foley drew me to Temple with his honesty and willingness to help me throughout the process of enrollment,” Bikowski said. “Being a late signee, I greatly appreciate Temple’s flexibility with deadlines and their generosity in awarding me the Dean’s Global Scholarship for academic performance.”
Hungrier than ever. Let’s go @templefootball
I’m home. pic.twitter.com/f8vdqzDjG1— Remy Bikowski (@FumaRemy) May 17, 2019
While playing NCAA football is a dream for many young student-athletes, for Bikowski, it is all about the atmosphere. “While Canadian football houses incredible athletes and good competition, the game is much more than a sport across the border,” he said. He added that NCAA scholarships are more lucrative, which he said allows him to obtain a university education at a lesser cost than it would in Canada.
“In addition to a lower cost, the level of competition and the excellent game day atmosphere at Temple was a big seller to me,” Bikowski added. “The staff at Temple is awesome. There are no egos or attitudes on the football staff, which is the opposite of some of the other programs I have visited. The staff recognizes the importance of development in their athletes not just in football but in life.”
On top of that, Bikowski was impressed with the strength coach and training staff, who he said were great in showing him the facilities and welcoming him to the team.
The 6’4, 305lb offensive tackle will be studying finance at the Fox School of Business. “I’m very excited to get back in class and challenge myself in my studies,” he said.
While Bikowski’s journey hit a speedbump, he wasn’t ready to pack up his cleats. His story is a message of hope. “To any athletes who are struggling to find a home or are recovering from an injury, keep your head up. Take pride in what you do when no one is watching. Fall in love with the process of getting better,” he said.
“Don’t listen to negative people as the negative people in your life will never understand how much you put into it. Just keep moving forward.”
And never overlook an opportunity. That’s something Bikowski wouldn’t do and he took a chance when he attended FUMA. “The experience was challenging from day one as the gruelling heat and military-style discipline tested the limits of my teammates and I,” Bikowski said. “I will cherish my time at FUMA for the rest of my life as it was a true test of character and grit that has greatly improved my confidence on the field and as a young man.
I cannot thank my teammates enough for their unconditional support.”
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