Stewart Returning For 5th Season

(FREDERICTON, NB) It wasn’t part of his original plan, but Brad Stewart (BScCE ’21) says he has a “rare opportunity, one that I couldn’t pass up.”

After graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering earlier this year, Stewart will return to UNB in 2021-22 and play a fifth season of U SPORTS eligibility with the REDS men’s volleyball team.

“After starting a full-time job as a Civil Engineer in training, I realized I loved the field I was in, but also realized I’m only young once,” said Stewart.

“Getting a job in Fredericton made coming back to school and playing my final season of eligibility possible,” he added.

Stewart’s desire to play another season is coupled with his employer’s accommodation, allowing him to do so.

“I’ve been working with Springhill Infrastructure, where the company owner is Geoff Colter (BScCE ’94), a team alum. He’s allowing me to go back to school, play volleyball and work part-time,” said Stewart. “Without that, I’m not sure this would be happening.”

“Brad asked us if could work part-time through the winter, and we wanted to be able to make that happen,” said Colter, president of the Springhill Group of Companies. “Brad’s absence will create a bit more work for others in September and October, but after that the workload will be manageable for us.”

Colter isn’t just Stewart’s boss, he’s a UNB alumnus and proud former member of the men’s volleyball team.

He played in parts of five seasons between 1987 and 1994, and was, for a number of seasons, teammates with current REDS head coach Dan McMorran (BPE ’91, BEd ’94).

“A few student-athletes have asked me over the years if they should return to play a fifth season,” said Colter. “I’ve always told them to take the opportunity to play. A one-year delay as you begin your career won’t really matter in the long run. I’d think that some student-athletes that considered playing a fifth season, and didn’t, may eventually regret their decision.”

Since his rookie season, Stewart has been a regular force in the REDS line-up.

Between 2016-17 and 2019-20, the 6’5” middle has played in 55 regular season matches, recording 273 kills and 205 blocks. In 2017-18, he was named an Atlantic University Sport All-Star.

“Brad has been one of the top middles, first in Atlantic University Sport and now in the RSEQ, for several years,” said Coach McMorran. “Having a player of his caliber make the commitment to return this season certainly strengthens us in that position, but his return has significance aside from stats.”

For the past three seasons, the lost 2020-21 season among them, Stewart has been the REDS’ captain.

“He’s been a valuable leader for our group, both on and off the court,” said McMorran. “With half of our roster being either in their first or second year this season, his continued presence and leadership will be an asset.”

With what should’ve been his final season lost to the pandemic, Stewart, like others, was limited to training.

The team did see some exhibition action, but only at the end of the school year, and after Stewart had suffered an injury.

“I not only missed my senior season, I dislocated my knee in February and couldn’t continue training with the team,” he said. “The injury was a big motivator to come back, and made me want to play my last season even more.”

Because competition was suspended, no student-athlete consumed eligibility in 2020-21.

“I feel there’s some unfinished business after not being able to compete in my senior year,” said Stewart. “Although the pandemic isn’t the way anyone wants to save a year of eligibility, I’m grateful for the opportunity to come back and compete for one more season.”

Colter, who’s employed other UNB student-athletes in the past, is glad to help Stewart do what he’s doing this coming season.

“One trait most athletes possess is drive. You can’t teach drive,” he said. “In addition, student-athletes have to have good time management skills to balance academics with training. For these reasons, if two employment candidates presented equally, I’d likely lean toward the student-athlete.”

During the coming school year, Stewart will add a minor in Business to his major in Civil Engineering.

On the court, his goal is simple… help UNB win the RSEQ and qualify for the U SPORTS championships.

That’s always been part of his original plan.

PHOTOS: James West/for UNB Athletics