THUNDER BAY – The legacy of the Sir Winston Churchill Trojans football program will live on for at least another four years.
Standout wide receiver James Basalyga on Saturday signed a letter of intent to continue his gridiron career at the University of Waterloo at a ceremony held during a break at a coaching clinic put on jointly by Thunder Bay Minor Football and the Warriors coaching staff.
Basalyga, who caught three touchdowns and ran a fumble recovery in for another major in the Trojans 37-26 Superior Secondary Schools Athletic Association senior championship last November, can’t wait to take his game to the next level.
“It’s a big step. I’m really excited, honestly. I feel like Waterloo is going to be a great fit for both sets of skills I feel I have, both academic and athletic,” Basalyga said, moments after trying on the golden Warriors jersey, complete with his trademark No. 81, for the first time.
“I’m really looking forward to that and really looking forward to growing with the team and with the school.”
Keeping that Trojan football light glowing is equally important, he added, even though the school is closing for good in June, the students headed to Westgate next fall.
“I feel like it’s a great opportunity to keep the tradition going. Obviously with that great season we had, you want to follow it up next season and be great as well. That’s what my plans are and that’s what my expectations are for myself.”
Even though the Warriors were a middle of the pack in the OUA last fall, finishing 4-4 and just missing the playoffs, Basalyga knows it’s a steep learning curve from the high school game to the university game.
He also thinks he’s up to the task.
“A lot of it’s going to be mindset, I think, being able to keep up all the time, 24/7, keep working. That’s really how you get ahead, get the edge in this kind of sport,” said Basalyga, who only took up football three seasons ago.
“I feel like I was already doing that this season, so maybe just ramp it up a bit.”
The team has asked him to work on is his overall football sense, something he’s still developing because of his late start in the game.
“But the way I’ve been progressing the last three years I should be fine. The main thing I should work on right now is I’ve got to get my route running down perfect and get the receiver aspect of my game just a little sharper so I can keep up and be an all-star on the next stage as well.”
Mike Doromko, who coached Basalyga with the senior Trojans, says his former star will bring a lot to the Waterloo offence at the wide receiver position.
“He’s got speed. He’s got hands. He’s got athletic ability,” Doromko said. “And the kid works his tail off every single day and he hates to lose. That’s everything you want in an athlete.”
Basalyga is one of five players with local ties heading to USports schools in 2018.
