Vauxhall, AB – 

There has been many firsts in the history of the Vauxhall Academy and today marks another.  For the first time in history the Jets have had 5 current players sign NLI to NCAA Division 1 schools in the early signing period.  The schools range from the Southeast – Florida to Southwest – California, to Northeast – New York to the upper Midwest – North Dakota.

The 5 new Division 1 commitments makes 25 Jets to do so over the last 8 years.  The following is a list of Jets who signed:

LHP – Ben Onyshko – Winnipeg, MB – has accepted an athletic & academic scholarship to attend  Stetson University Hatters in Deland, Florida.  .  The Hatters play in the very challenging Atlantic Sun Conference .  For more details on Stetson Baseball: http://www.gohatters.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=14600&SPID=6736&SPSID=69238&DB_OEM_ID=14600

LHP – JP Stevenson – New Glascow, PEI – has accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Canisius College Golden Griffins in Buffalo, New York.  The Golden Griffens are the defending champion of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and fresh off an NCAA Regional appearance.  For more details on Canisius Baseball: http://www.gogriffs.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=20500&SPID=12013&SPSID=97886

3B – Nolan Bumstead – Calgary, AB – has accepted an athletic scholarship to attend California State University Northridge in Northridge, California.  The Matadors play in a very challenging  Big West Conference.  For more details on Cal State Northridge Baseball: http://www.gomatadors.com/sports/m-basebl/index

C – Brayden Resch – Saskatoon, SK – has accepted an athletic scholarship to attend North Dakota State University Bisons in Fargo, North Dakota.  The Bisons plays in the Summit League which they lost in the title game in 2013.  For more details on North Dakota State Baseball: http://www.gobison.com/index.aspx?path=baseball&tab=baseball2

C – Brett Harrison – Winnipeg, MB – has accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  UND plays in the very challenging Western Athletic Conference.  For more information on UND Baseball: http://www.undsports.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=13500&SPID=6384&SPSID=58538

The entire Vauxhall Academy is very proud of all 5 student-athletes accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and in the community.  Stay tuned for additional college commitments in the coming weeks.  2014 is going to be a great spring.

The Vauxhall Academy is pleased to announce that Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Strength Coach – Jason Dowse will be joining the Jets again for the entire off season.  Last season Dowse joined the Jets for a 6 week period and this season he is scheduled to spend the entire off-season in Vauxhall.

Jason is a true young professional in every aspect of his work.  He has been the strength coach for the Lansing Lugnuts (Long A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays) for the last 3 seasons and will continue in that capacity in 2014.  Jason also worked at the  Adrenaline Performance (Montreal, QC)  as well as working with elite amateur and professional athletes in a variety of sports prior to getting into Professional Baseball.

Jason will join and compliment current Jets Head Strength Coach – Jeff Krushell (Head Strength Coach for MLB International and former Toronto Blue Jays head strength coach) and together will expand on our professional strength and conditioning program.

Coach McTavish had this to say about Jason returning, “Having a strength coach of Jason’s caliber working with our athlete’s everyday takes our program to new heights.  Last season, we witnessed tremendous benefits as a program and look forward to expanding on our individual and team needs this season.  I cannot think of a more qualified and professional fit for our program and our athletes.   Individual assessments and training has built a great foundation for success on the field.”