Ryan Speight is excited to continue his football journey at Wilfrid Laurier University in the fall of 2021. Speight, a native of Brantford, Ontario, said making the decision to join the Golden Hawks was a simple one.

 

“Having the opportunity to play OUA football at a great institution made it a no brainer for me.”

 

The six-foot-three wide receiver attended St John's College in Brantford, where he says he truly found a passion for the game.

 

“After my first season in grade 9, I realized how much I enjoyed the game, and that summer I had a football in my hand almost everyday just trying to get better.”

 

Speight had tremendous success as a student-athlete during his four years at St John's. As a four-sport athlete for the Green Eagles, he compiled multiple MVP awards as well as earning the Male Athlete of The Year Award in his grade 11 year. As a student, Speight was an honour roll student every year, excelling in math.

 

“My coaches Dan Brown and Jeff DeProsporis always told me that I needed to excel in the classroom if I ever wanted to succeed on the field.”

 

The 18-year old also spent two summers playing spring football with the Brantford Bisons. The attention to detail and competitive environment the organization created, helped Speight take his game to a new level.

 

“The Bisons coaching staff gave me the confidence to be the best player and leader I could be both on and off the field.”

 

Although his path to success was not the straightest, Speight is very thankful for the many role models who helped him along the way. None more important to him however, than his grandfather, Ron Speight. Ron, a former defensive coordinator for the Guelph Gryphons as well as a member of the Hamilton Tiger Cats and Edmonton Eskimos, was always there for Ryan in whatever way he needed him. The two spent hours discussing football, and Ryan absorbed every last bit of knowledge he could.

 

“My grandfather kept telling me that every time he saw me, I was improving.”

 

Academically, Speight will be studying business, a program that played a significant role for him, in deciding to commit to Wilfrid Laurier.

 

“The Laurier business program is highly respected in the province and will help me achieve my goals as a student athlete.”

 

The Golden Hawks finished the 2019 season with a 4-4 record, just missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Speight, however, talked highly about the culture that exists within the locker room, and how it is not a reflection of the recent results.

 

“Everyone is bought in, they all want to achieve the same goal, I really like the culture that Laurier has.”

 

With the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling he 2020 season, the Golden Hawks have been staying active via online workouts and meetings. With more time to develop, Speight hopes he can come in next fall and make an immediate impact.

 

“I want to be able to come in and contribute the best way I can”

 

With hopes of some form of on field workouts beginning after the winter, Speight cannot wait to begin his OUA journey with the Golden Hawks.

 

“I am ready to learn and be a part of a great team.”