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| Waterloo receiver Dustin Zender |
While Dustin Zender may not be remembered for helping to fill the University of Waterloo football trophy case when his university career comes to an end in two weeks time, there are few who will ever epitomize what a true Warrior is more than him.
From fighting for what he believed in off the field to excelling in the midst of futility on it, Zender may sound a little cliché in saying so, but states the reason for his success in 2011 with conviction.
“Pretty much, it’s all come down to hard work,” said the fifth-year receiver from Kitchener, ON who, up until last week’s final home game loss to Laurier, led all OUA receivers in reception yardage. He currently sits second - both provincially and in the CIS - with 688, as well as first in receptions with 51.
“Hard work is always going to be that thing that gets you to that level and gives you that chance [to perform],” added Zender.
That effort was also reflective as one of the team’s most vocal advocates as a team suspension loomed in the summer of 2010 – and was eventually handed down. It was even more evident as he sucked up his pride and donned the purple and gold of city rival Laurier that season - so as not to let a year of playing football slip through his fingers.
“Thinking about it now, I made a lot of great friends [because of the move],” said Zender.
“Those guys, they’re just really nice. They really do care about you on the field as well as off of it.”
It certainly wasn’t a rosy experience either though, as the Hawks started 0-3, forfeited a win (due to using an ineligible player), then came up one game short of reaching the Yates Cup final.
All in all though, Zender (who was fourth on the team with 235 receiving yards) still feels fortunate for having done the switch.
“It was a tough experience back at Laurier, but look where we went; we lost by one point in the [OUA] semi-finals. Up to that point, that’s the first time that I’ve ever even played in a playoff game.
“To get that far was an amazing experience for me,” said Zender.
With the return of the ‘black and yellow’ to the OUA fold this season though, all friendships were put aside as Zender and the Warriors got to the task at hand of simply fielding a complete squad.
With a considerable lack of players with OUA experience, it’s no real surprise that the team is currently in last place at 0-6. That being said, Zender speaks highly of Head Coach Dennis McPhee.
“He’s had to persevere through a lot. He’s been through things other coaches obviously haven’t had to go through,” said Zender, adding “I feel for him; it weighs heavy on him but he’s doing the best that he can – and doing an amazing job.”
Coming up just shy of 100 yards receiving in a 69-3 loss to his former teammates just prior to the Thanksgiving weekend, Zender described it as a “bittersweet moment”.
“The fact that it was my last home game and the first time … playing Laurier, and seeing all those guys, a lot of stuff was happening on that one night.
“When it was over, I did take a bit of a step back to realize what just happened. It’s tough to think that that was the last home game and that I’ll never play on that field [again],” he said.
For ever having run onto the football field in the first place though, he places much of the credit with his father Carl – who was the receivers coach at Waterloo before moving with his son to Laurier. He has since stayed on staff with the Hawks.
“I’ve been blessed, just because of the relationship with my dad. He’s my father but he’s always been my coach as well. Even from a younger age playing basketball then switching over to play football, he’s always supported my choices,” said the younger Zender.
“I know he’s pushed me a little bit harder … just to make sure that he’s not showing favouritism,” he added with a laugh.
Asked to reflect on how he and the rest of his teammates have been able to stay positive through a campaign having to endure so many growing pains, Zender fell back on his coach’s adage.
“[Coach McPhee] always says they can’t take away your heart; you have to play and not surrender – and he preaches that to us all the time,” explained Zender.
“You can see that it’s shown through the players on the field too.”
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