Five Questions With Eric Grootenboer
Eric Grootenboer playing for the Dordt Defenders – Photo from Dordt College Athletics
Grootenboer recently completed his varsity soccer career with the Dordt Defenders, being named a GPAC Second Team All-Star the past two seasons. Eric also played locally for the Chatham Express this past summer.
Below are Eric Grootenboer’s answers to CKSN’s Five Questions:
1. What is your career sports highlight/top memory?
That’s a tough question; I’ve been blessed with a lot of great memories in my career. I’d have to say one of the top memories is when I was able to score a goal in front of my parents and home crowd vs. Doane College. It was an honour making my parents proud after they drove 15 hours to see me play.
2. Who is your favorite professional sports team and athlete?
I am a fan of the Montreal Canadiens (and thus despise the Leafs) and I enjoy watching Manchester United play. As for favourite athlete, I’d say Sidney Crosby.
3. If you could achieve one thing/goal in sports, what would it be?
If I could achieve one thing in sports, my hope is that I could play genuinely for God’s glory and not mine. I’d like to have affected the lives of my teammates in a positive way, and remain humble in the accomplishments I’ve been blessed with.
4. Who has been your biggest sports influence and why?
Definitely my Dad and brothers. Dad put a hockey stick in my hand the moment I was strong enough to hold one, and put a soccer ball at my feet the second I could walk. He was there to coach me, make backyard rinks, and offer advice and still is there to support me through my career. My brothers also fueled my love for competition; yes, we did get in fights (maybe a little too often), but I’ll never regret the hours spent playing hockey and soccer with those guys.
5. What do you love most about playing sports?
I really enjoy banding together as brothers, competing intensely for a common goal. The training, the hard work, the dedication – you all go through it together. It not only makes you closer on the field/ice; you make friends that you’ll keep for a lifetime.
Five Questions is a weekly feature on the Chatham-Kent Sports Network. We’ll ask athletes from across Chatham-Kent Five Questions, and post their answers every week. If you know an athlete or coach we should question, or you’re an athlete or coach who would like to participate in “Five Questions,” please email us at ian@cksn.ca.