Jerome Downey (St. FX vs. MTA Homecoming , 2007)

Arriving At Mount Allison

In September of 2003 my life changed forever it was the first time I arrived at Mount Allison University officially as a student athlete. I remember it just like yesterday it was a hot clear sunny afternoon my grandparents drove me from Halifax, NS to the small town of Sackville, NB just a 10 minute drive from the provincial border far enough to be away close enough to visit home.

Along with many new rookies and experienced veterans we all arrived on campus a few days before the rest of the students because training camp was starting and we had to prepare for the season ahead. Earlier in July that summer I suffered a season ending injury tearing my left Achilles in the bronze medal game vs. Team Ontario while playing for Team Nova Scotia at the Canadian 19-Under National Football Championships in Ottawa, ON. Arriving on campus in a walking boot knowing I wouldn’t’ be able to play my first year was difficult as a scholarship athlete recipient I wanted to prove myself worthy.

The Recruitment

When being recruited to Mount Alison the Head Coach at the time was Scott Fawcett, during a home visit he brought a legendary player with him named Derrick Furry a Linebacker who played the same position as me. He was tough as nails and could hit hard as a hammer a CFL draft pick I respected him a lot. The motto going into the 2003 season was “Find A Way”, coach was perfectly aware of the challenge Mount Allison faced when competing for talent with other bigger schools across Canada. With limited resources and recent success on the field the biggest highlight emphasized during his home recruitment visit was the academic excellence Mount Allison has always maintained. It was that high standard of accountability and academic excellence that swayed my decision to become a Mountie.

Originally I had planned on attending Saint Mary’s University, U Sports legendary champion football Coach Blake Nill had personally reached out to only 4 Nova Scotia players that year. At a meeting in his office he showed me his depth chart and recruiting priorities he wanted me to join the team. After that initial meeting I committed verbally to attending SMU however after going on my recruiting trip to Mount Allison and discussing with my family it was felt the best decision would be for me to go away for school. So that meant I had to call Coach Nill and tell him I wouldn’t be attending SMU, that was a very difficult thing to do.

That first semester and year at Mount Allison wasn’t easy however it would set the tone and theme for the years to come consistently overcoming obstacles and persevering in the face adversity. We all took a more difficult, expensive and less traveled path going away for school, between the tough academics and stress within our football program after that first season I wanted to quit. Thoughts came to my head “Maybe I made the wrong choice, I didn’t use a year of eligibility, I could still leave back to Halifax and SMU” but the decision and commitment was already made and I wasn’t going to turn my back on it, quitting just wasn’t in my DNA.

A Solid Foundation

Before you can see the light sometimes you must travel through darkness, I experienced that darkness first hand along with several of my teammates and coaches who endured 4 years of futility when we went a three year stretch without winning a single game. Three consecutive seasons of 0-8 and a 34 game losing streak ended October 2006. Although we had AUS football All-Stars, All-Canadians and a tremendous amount of heart when it came time to compete we ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. I remember the devastating defeats and long bus rides home, we hated losing, but we hated quitting even more.

This year is extra special because it’s a 10 year reunion for some of us. Watching the program turn the corner the last decade competing for conference championships has been great to see. For all those who came before us and those after, the brotherhood and Mountie Pride is genuine and real. Our generation didn’t have as much success on the field as we wanted but we were able to keep the program together sustaining and building a solid foundation we can all be proud of.

Few Mt. A. Mounties 2006 Veterans (Last Regular Season Game @ Acadia)

Perseverance

Finding a way to persevere in difficult situations isn’t easy however it is important to do. The catalyst of understanding this beyond the field for me was when my off campus university apartment building burnt down a few weeks before the start of my senior year. All my personal belongings were destroyed, thankfully no one was seriously injured or harmed. Mount Allison taught me critical thinking and gave me a tremendous life experience. The word “Perseverance” is written on the inside my graduation ring because it’s not just a word but a quality and characteristic that will never abandon me and I’m thankful for that.

When I left Atlantic Canada in 2011 it wasn’t because I wanted to, it was because I had no choice, real political and business adversaries thwarted my plans. Greed and envy is real no different than love and peace. Although I’ve lost several battles over the years today I’m reminded, “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”. At 32 years of age I’ve already achieved and lived out so many of my personal dreams and goals. I can finally say with conviction I’m ready to return east, the feeling of exile and anger has been replaced by gratefulness and contentment, truly looking forward to the next challenge ahead.