A Sylvan Lake athlete is among the “first wave of 2014 Golden Bear football recruits”, according to a story on the University of Alberta’s website.
“Intent on joining (head coach Chris) Morris and his rebuild of the Golden Bears’ football program” ten high school recruits sat at tables on Foote Field turf last Thursday, framed around the big ‘A’, to sign ‘letters of intent’ and declare they wanted to be part of Morris’ Golden Bears revival.
Among those signing was TJ Sloboda of Sylvan Lake who was a starting member of the Team Alberta silver medal squad and is in his final year with the H. J. Cody Lakers.
By signing the letters, recruits have entered into an agreement to play Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) football for the Golden Bears program once they finish high school and are accepted into the U of A. The letters prevent other CIS coaches from recruiting the athletes.
The story by Matt Gutsch, stated since taking over the program in January, Morris has worked relentlessly at acquiring the best building blocks to resurrect a program that hasn’t won a conference championship in 30 years.
The first wave of blue chip recruits included two starting members from Team Canada, eight starting members from Team Alberta, and they represent the best high school programs in the province.
“This group of young men is the prototypical Alberta Golden Bears football recruits of the future,” said Morris. “All of these young men have displayed excellence both in the classroom and on the field; they are all relentless competitors who will do whatever it takes to reach their full potential both on and off the field. We are proud to welcome them to the Golden Bear’s family.”