From Walk On To Starter, Lindley Beats The Odds

It’s hard enough getting on a university varsity football team when being recruited, but it’s even harder when you’re a walk on. But Jake Lindley of Chatham has worked his way to steal a spot on the University of Windsor football team, just by trying out.

Lindley, a first year student at the university, came to the school hoping to play basketball, but changed his mind and tried out for the football team instead.

“I felt like I had a much better chance at playing football rather than basketball at the varsity level. Working out this summer helped my confidence to realizing my potential as an athlete and I thought that football was the better choice for me and is my true passion,” says Lindley.

“I went to Western football games as a kid and knew at a very young age I wanted to be a football player in the OUA, and now I am.”

Lindley played his first game with the team last week, with one break up pass, but says he had to work hard to get here.

“It is rewarding to know I am beating guys out of spots that are older or more experienced than me, but in the end, we are all just competing to the best of our ability to make the team better.”

Over the summer, Lindley worked out at Athletes Fuel with Colin Roeszler, saying “I pay a lot of my success towards him and his training.”

After winning the Dr. Jack Perry Award last year, along with CKSS’ 2013 Male Athlete of the Year, Lindley will try to bring his experience from high school to the university level.

“The expectations for the team this year is to win the Yates Cup. We have a very good team this year, with lots of veteran guys who want to end their careers on a successful note.”

Lindley will be back on the field this weekend when the Lancers host the Guelph Gryphons.