Muskie vets heading on to higher education

While Muskie spring camps commence this month in search of new talent, several graduating veterans are looking to take that next step to post-secondary education and the fields of Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union football.
But one is leaning towards the classroom over the playbook.
Fifth-year starting quarterback Gary Wager was accepted at the University of Western Ontario’s business program two weeks ago. But at this point, the player who helped lead the Muskies to two titles is unsure whether he wants to play for the Mustangs at all next year.
“I’m thinking about just concentrating on academics,” said Wager, who still works out with Muskies head coach Bob Swing as well as numerous discussions with Western head coach Larry Halor.
“But I haven’t decided it at all.”
Meanwhile, four Muskie players attended the University of Manitoba Bison’s first mini-camp last weekend. These camps provided a chance for the coaching staff to look at new talent and for over a 100 hopeful players to mingle (and mash) with Bison underclassmen.
Wide-receiver Adam McTavish, running back Scott Witherspoon, linebacker Jock Gemmell, and defensive back Mark Mecure strutted their stuff in Winnipeg and met quite a challenge.
“There was a lot of people. They were all really talented, but it was their size that caught my eye,” said McTavish, with Mecure being the only other who is also graduating. “I just did as good as I could.”
He added he only had a month to get into that football mindframe–a task made more difficult in the middle of his soccer season.
“Before camp, I’ve just thrown the ball around and getting a feel for ball back.” said McTavish, who had chosen the U of M as his first choice but may be looking to play for the University of Western, Brock or McMaster University as a physiotherapy major.
A former Muskie and Bison whose been through the ropes, head coach Bob Swing was an arm of advice to his departing players who are experiencing a tension-filled time.
“I told them to basically ask lots of questions. And if you’re not sure just go out and hit someone. Be aggressive,” he said. “It’s just like that old adage; ‘Do you want to be the hammer or the nail?’.”
According to several discussions with Bison coaches, Swing is confident the players made a strong impression.