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A post with a pigskin past: SAIT's Stewart rooting for ex-coach Nill, Dinos
By Annalise Posein (SAIT Journalism Program)
CALGARY — Branden Stewart has an interesting take on Saturday’s Uteck Bowl, the national CIS football semifinal, in Halifax.
Before playing basketball for the SAIT Trojans, Stewart was a red-shirt defensive lineman for two years with the Halifax-based St. Mary’s Huskies. He played under coach Blake Nill, who’s now in his fourth season as bench boss of the University of Calgary Dinos football team.
Coincidentally, it’s the Dinos and Huskies who’ll clash on the gridiron Saturday for the right to advance to the Vanier Cup — and Stewart knows who he’s rooting for.
“I know lots of the coaches at St. Mary’s, but I don’t know any of the players there, and I know lots of players on the Dinos now . . . so I think it would have to be the Dinos,” says Stewart.
Stewart, however, won’t be doing any scoreboard watching this weekend. He’s completely focused, as are the rest of the nationally No. 8-ranked Trojans (7-1), on a big two-game series with the Mount Royal University Cougars (6-0).
The crosstown rivals will square off for top spot in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference’s South Division, kicking things off Friday, Nov. 20 at SAIT’s Campus Centre and resuming hostilities at MRU’s Kenyon Court on Saturday, Nov. 21. Tip-off time both nights is 8 p.m.
After two years of red-shirting for St. Mary’s, the graduate of William Aberhart High School decided to move back home in 2005 for a better support system, in the form of his family and friends. One of his closest friends and current teammate, Fabian Warner, was playing basketball with the Trojans and encouraged Stewart to join the team.
Since the switch from football to basketball, the men’s basketball team has had a solid and consistent player in Stewart.
“I really didn’t plan to be here for five years. It’s something I can’t believe has happened, but it’s been good,” says Stewart, a six-foot-seven post who’s in his fifth and final season of college eligibility. “I am enjoying it all as it comes. That’s all I’m trying to do. This is a great time, a fun time, and we only get five years to play so you’ve got to enjoy that time now.”
Stewart received his SAIT diploma in travel and tourism in April 2008, and was undecided about his next step. Nill had relocated to Calgary, and Stewart had the opportunity to play football for U of C; his other choice was to continue playing with SAIT under new head coach Michael Stevens. In the end, Stewart remained on the hardcourt, working towards finishing his business administration diploma at SAIT.
Stewart says SAIT was the best decision for his education at the time, but he is also more passionate about basketball: “Football was one of those things I was good at, and it was fun, so I liked it, but I didn’t have that passion that everyone else had for it.”
Stewart adds that he has passionate drive on the court, but occasionally transforms himself into “football Branden” — a more aggressive and competitive player — to get more fired up during Trojans games. His football background has also given Stewart the ability to catch and pass the basketball with more confidence and “soft hands.”
In the time Stewart has played for SAIT, he has seen virtually everything. He’s played on teams that successfully medalled in the ACAC and teams that finished well out of playoffs.
Stevens says Stewart’s experience is a benefit for the Trojans.
“He brings leadership, calmness and familiarity. I think at this point in his career there is nothing he hasn’t seen, and for the younger guys he always has a story to relate . . . something that he already has experienced and can help shed some light,” says Stevens.
His teammates agree that Stewart’s leadership is a key contribution to the team.
“When things are getting intense, Branden keeps a cool demeanor that the rest of us see and follow. He also keeps us organized and makes sure everyone is getting all the extra things done that coach wants us to do,” says Caleb Dowdy, a second-year Trojans post.
Although this is Stewart’s last season playing for the Trojans, its conclusion will not be anticlimactic. The men’s basketball team will be hosting the 2010 Canadian Colleges Athletic Association nationals at SAIT’s Campus Centre from March 18 to 20.
Stewart is clearly excited by the prospect of hosting nationals. He remembers the glory days of SAIT-MRU clashes before noisy crowds at a packed Campus Centre gym, but he says this will be a whole new level of excitement.
“I can only imagine what it will be like when it’s nationals and everyone’s there and everyone who is affiliated with SAIT just wants SAIT to win . . . that’s going to be unbelievable,” said Stewart.
“And it sounds like they’re going to make it an experience for fans and for players, so I think it’s going to be great.”
