Western coaches ‘one of a kind’

Western adds an Ontario commit to their 2018 recruiting class.

When Savaughn Magnaye-Jones, a slotback from St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, committed to the Western Mustangs, it wasn’t just for him, but for every person who has shown him dedication and support throughout his career.

“I’d like to thank my parents, Jane and Mark Jones, for giving me so much love and support, who have always been there to help me through anything and have taught me everything I have learned to become a better man. I cannot thank them enough,” he said.

He added that, “I’d (also) like to thank my friends, especially my close friend, Edgerrin Williams, a receiver at St. Thomas More who’ve I’ve played with for most of my high school career, for being there to push me and give me a reason to become a better person and football player.”

Courtesy of Savaughn Magnaye-Jones.

Now, Magnaye-Jones will be putting his trust in the Western’s coaching staff. It won’t be much of a leap of faith for the 5’7, 150lbs athlete, however. “When I went on my visit in December, they made me feel comfortable like I was already apart of their team. As well as helping me see a vision, this is the school I need to be at to have the best chance of becoming the best player I can be,” he said.

He added that he believes the coaches are “one of a kind” and that they’re “the best coaches in Canada, a great group of men who are experienced, determined, have a great sense of character, genuine, funny and tough, yet easy to get along with.”

When it comes to academics, finding the right program isn’t easy. Magnaye-Jones has applied to the Ivey Business School, the kinesiology program, the DAN management and organizational studies program and the business and organizational management studies program at King’s College, which is an affiliate of Western.

“I chose to commit to Western because it was honestly the right and best fit for me academically as well as athletically,” Magnaye-Jones said. “They’re ranked in the top 250 universities in the world, ranked 53rd in the world for business and (in the) top 125 in the world for health sciences.”

In the course of eight years, Magnaye-Jones has suited up for five different teams: the St. Thomas More Knights (Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Athletic Association), the Hamilton Varsity Tiger-Cats (OPFL), the Hamilton Junior Varsity Hurricanes (OFC), the Hamilton Bantam Steel City Steelers (OMFL) and the Hamilton Pee-wee Junior Tiger-Cats.

While with the CFC50 No.1 Knights, he has won three OFSAA championships, three Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference championships, two senior HWCAA championships and two HWCAA junior championships. While with the Hurricanes, he won an OFC championship. He also captured a OMFL championship with the Steelers.

“I’d like to thank all my coaches that have coached me throughout my career for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love and (for) helping me develop into the player I am today,” Magnaye-Jones said. “St. Thomas More is a top football program in Canada that pushes students to excel in football as well as academics and it’s been an honour attending this school for five years.”

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