Former Cochrane High Cobras quarterback Brett Conlon officially signed with the University of Windsor Lancers football program on April 13.
Conlon had a very successful season with the Cobras, as he was one of six members of the team to be named team’s Most Outstanding Player (MVP) while also being named Rocky View Sports Association (RVSA) best quarterback for the 2017 season large in part due to his leadership in the huddle to go along with his productivity on the field.
The Windsor Lancers football team began competition in the Central Canada Intercollegiate Football Conference (Now known as the Ontario University Athletics or OUA) since 1968. The program is notable for featuring three Hec Crighton Trophy winners, a trophy given out to the best player in Canadian collegiate football. The most recent winner being former Canadian Football League (CFL) running back Daryl Stephenson in 2006, while the trophy was also claimed by former Lancers quarterback Andrew Parici in 1972 and Scott Mallender, another former quarterback, in 1979. The football team itself won the CCIFC in 1968 and a Yates Cup championship in 1975.
Conlon said he’s very excited to be joining the Windsor football program.
“Words can’t even explain how excited I am to represent the shield. I’m just so blessed to be able to continue out with my football career,” Conlon said.
“Not long after our season ended, I was told to fill out some recruitment forms for some schools. Eight ended up getting back to me and from there, my family, friends and I decided that academically Windsor was the best fit for me.”
“My dad and I made a trip out there in early April. It was a lot to take in at the time, but one of the main reasons I decided on Windsor is because of the way they treated each other. During my trip, I felt like I was already part of the family … you don’t feel that way with a lot of schools and that’s special to have.”
The young Cochrane High star was a huge part of the Cobras team that went undefeated throughout the Rocky View Sports Association (RVSA) regular season with a 6-0 record, as well as winning all four Alberta Schools' Athletic Association (ASAA) Provincial games including a 21-14 victory in the final over the Holy Rosary Raiders on Nov. 24. In those 10 games, the Cobras outscored their opponents by an astounding margin of 414-53, where Cochrane High averaged 41 points per game while never giving up more than 14 points en route to the team's fourth straight provincial championship.
Conlon said he will look back at his time with the Cobras fondly and said he wouldn’t be in the position he was today without the Cochrane High football program and coaching staff.
“Cochrane High meant everything to me. Playing for the Cobras taught me how to throw a ball properly by some amazing coaches but also it showcased what I needed to do in order to play university football,” said Conlon.
“While I was backing up in my first few years to some amazing quarterbacks (such as current Queen’s Gael Tae Gordon) it really let me soak it all in and test myself besides some of the greats that have played at this school. It’s not only football that helped me athletically, it was also some of the high level sports we have at Cochrane High such as track and field that kept me in shape and healthy for next season.”
Conlon also has some high expectations for himself when he steps on the Windsor campus for the first time as a member of the Lancers football program.
“Shortly after arriving in Windsor, I want to establish myself as a leader and a quick learner,” Conlon said.
“I want to be able to take mental notes in order to start whenever they need me and help the team win as many football games as they can.”
