There are times athletes would rather not have to choose which sport to play.
So when Cochrane High School Cobras football and basketball player Kyle Moortgat was given the opportunity to play both at university, he jumped at the chance.
The senior football slotback and basketball point guard has received, and accepted, a seven-year tuition offer from the University of Regina. The gaudy length of the full-tuition offer ensures the 17-year-old has enough time to pursue his education while spearing pigskins and bouncing pumpkins at the Saskatchewan-based Canadian Interuniversity Sport institution. He won’t have to cram full semesters of school between two sports seasons each year.
“I’m really excited. When I went down there, they really sold me in the first couple of hours of being there,” said Moortgat, who joins Cobras 2013 football grad Bryce McKinnon at U of R. “My dad thinks it’s a great choice for me, too. With me going there with such a small (football) roster, I have a chance to fight for a roster spot in my early years.”
On the gridiron, Regina is losing a couple of receivers to graduation and a couple more who aren’t returning. Moortgat’s chances of nailing down a receiving spot in his rookie CIS season are decent. McKinnon made it work on the school’s offensive line last fall, starting in his rookie season and claiming rookie-of-the-year honours.
But it’s the possibility of getting onto the hardwood after football season ends that has the two-sport phenom enthralled. The seasons overlap briefly, but only if the football team makes the playoffs.
“With U or R, the reason I also went there is because they allow players to play two sports at university,” Moortgat related. “I talked to the basketball coach and he said throughout the year he’s going to let me try out for the team. I’m going to try out for basketball and see if I can’t make their team, too.”
Cobras senior boys hoops coach Kris Nielson feels his point guard has the tools to play CIS basketball.
“He’s got a lot of work to do to make that team,” Nielson said. “But he’s a very athletic kid. With his athleticism and his shooting ability and his basketball IQ, there’s a good chance he’ll be able to crack that roster at some point.
“It’ll be interesting to see how it goes for him. He’s got some work ahead of him, for sure.”
But Moortgat feels he’s up to it.
“I love sports. I’m willing to commit to the school and everything to play at the next level.”
