Nicholas Bilodeau is a former District 8 athlete who took the time to do an interview for D8, to discuss both his experiences within D8 athletics and what he has been up to since he graduated.

First off, Bilodeau played for Resurrection Catholic Secondary School for his entire career as a D8 athlete. He played multiple sports for his school including, junior football, powerlifting, varsity wrestling and to top it all off, he was the student that initiated the “rebirth” of Resurrection’s varsity rugby team.

Bilodeau informed us that he is currently a Waterloo rugby prospect and also plays for the Waterloo County Men’s Team. It appears however, he has not fully left the District 8 athletic community as he was the assistant coach for Resurrection’s rugby team.

When asked how his experiences in D8 athletics has helped him after graduating he was very enthusiastic, stating, “They help me develop my skills…and playing for the University of Waterloo would have been impossible without Resurrection’s rugby program.” He went on to say, “All the work I put in academically and athletically at Resurrection has put me in the position I am today.” Meaning of course his acceptance into Waterloo, and still being actively involved in sports after leaving high school.

Next, we asked Nick to reflect on some of his favorite moments as a D8 athlete. He talked about Resurrection’s rugby squad’s first win against St. Mary’s High School a year after the rebuilt program had started, and also when they made the playoffs that same year. “It was an incredible improvement from the previous year” said Bilodeau, who was thrilled to discuss some of the greatest athletic moments of his life.

Finishing off the interview, Bilodeau explained that the school’s principal Chris Woodcroft was the person who had the greatest impact on him as an athlete while he was there, “He taught me to compete, how to lead, and how to believe, because in order to achieve something you must first believe it.” The impact D8 athletics had on this young man was abundantly clear when he finished the interview reflecting on his D8 sport experiences, “It helped to characterize the person I am today.”

Story by Keenan O’Donoghue