HS ball

I have led a very privileged life. I grew up in a school district that saw something in me and sent me across town for school.



That’s where I met Chris Ackie, in grade 7 or 8, at a school I can only remember by the horrible pig on the wall. I was there as part of an “elite” class of students who had access to just about any learning resource we wanted. We had our own fridge, multiple iMacs, extra money was spent on us. We were a mixed bag. I was graded less than most there but we were a gang of nerds and we kept to ourselves.

I think it was this kid we called Squeaky who then helped us integrate into the rest of the school we were segregated from by joining our game of pick up football. I think Chris came with that group. We played football, soccer, baseball. Basically our group of nerds became the school recess activity coordinators. We were selective and others didn’t want to associate with use, but that was cool, cause that was how we wanted it. We were happy reffing ourselves. Also Shoutout Songbo for taking that baseball to the eye.

Anyways, in high school I decided I would give football a go and Chris Ackie was our star player. I was then on the High School rugby team with Chris for grades 9 & 10 as well as grade 10 football. I wanted to understand the culture. I never learnt the competitive side of sports from my parents, they taught my the cooperative nature that allowed us to organize in 87. And that is why I wanted to learn football from the inside out.

I was an outsider. A misfit. I wouldn’t have been able to make that transition is Chris wasn’t apart of those teams. His natural talent for leadership is apparent and I am bloody proud to have seen his growth. We never doubted him for a second.