Youth football in Estevan is celebrating a first for its programs.
James Knibbs, who graduated from the Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) last month, has committed to play football for Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. They play in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, and are a National Collegiate Athletics Association Division 2 program.
Knibbs is the first athlete who played in Penta Completions Estevan Minor Football and with the ECS Elecs to sign with an NCAA team.
The announcement was made Sunday night via Facebook.
He will be enrolled in business this fall.
Knibbs played nose tackle last season with the Elecs and defensive end with the Sask. Selects program. He also has experience as a fullback and middle linebacker.
Last season he shared the Elecs Who Are We/Bryan Illerbrun Memorial Award along with Shanelle Rioux and Nigel Mack. He also won the Lineman of the Year and the Players Choice Awards.
“James, his parents, Nancy and Tyler, and younger sister have all been instrumental in developing football in Estevan,” the Facebook post said.
The next edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
