Jacob Stynsky was hoping to play football at any post-secondary school.
To be able to do so at an American program was an added bonus.
The Grade 12 student at John Paul II Collegiate will be attending Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D. this fall, where he will be a member of the Saints football team.
“It was a bit of a relief to get everything done after a long process, but I’m excited about the opportunity,” Stynsky said.
“I would have been happy to play anywhere, but to have interest coming from an American program was something that I was really happy about.”
The talented running back for the Crusaders signed his letter of intent last month, but his commitment to the Saints was officially announced by the team Wednesday as part of National Signing Day for college football programs in the United States.
After looking at schools in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Canada, Stynsky’s decision to attend Presentation College was made after he visited the campus.
“When I was trying to make a decision, I was looking for a place where playing football would be a good fit to go along with my studies and my faith,” Stynsky said.
“It’s a catholic school like John Paul II, and it’s a small campus so it’s pretty similar to here in a sense. They have the classes I need for my major in biology as I want to be a physiotherapist when I graduate, and the team has a lot of young guys coming up with an offensive style of play that I would be a good fit in.”
The Saints, who are a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, play in the North Star Athletic Association conference and had a 7-3 record last year.
“Their defence was one of the best in the country last year and the program started a couple of years ago so everything there is pretty much brand new with their facilities and everything,” Stynsky said.
“I met with the coaches when I had a campus visit in the fall, and they are all really good guys. They reached out while I was touring the school to see how things were going, so they’ve already been easy to communicate with.”
Stynsky also got advice from his parents Vic and Roxanne in the recruiting process, especially with his dad Vic having played collegiate hockey with the Lake Superior State Lakers in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. during the 1980’s.
“There’s been a few changes now compared to then of course,” said Vic Stynsky, who is the athletic director at John Paul II Collegiate, “Roxanne and I wanted him to be somewhat closer to home obviously, so to have him in South Dakota is pretty nice.
“It’s a huge deal for the Crusaders program, as Jacob will be the first student from our school to play in the United States. For the younger athletes there, it shows them where they can end up once they graduate and what opportunities are out there.”
Before he travels to Aberdeen in August, Stynsky will have a busy athletic schedule in North Battleford prior to his graduation.
“I’m currently helping to coach the girls’ basketball team at Notre Dame while playing with the Crusaders senior boys’ team,” Stynsky said. “We’re having a pretty good season and winning a lot of close games, so hopefully we’ll have a chance to make it to provincials.
“After that it’s badminton and track and field, then it’ll be the graduation in June. I’d like to be involved in a few intramural activities when I’m down south, but it will all depend on how much free time I’ll have.”
