Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
Michael Bright takes to the court for the Vincent Massey Vikings varsity boys’ basketball team on Friday. (COLIN CORNEAU/BRANDON SUN)
Receiver Michael Bright of the Vincent Massey Vikings hauls in a pass under coverage in high school football action last year. (FILE PHOTO)
Michael Bright may be bleeding green for the next few years.
The Vincent Massey student has signed his letter of intent with the University of Regina Rams football team, although he was a little iffy about moving to Manitoba’s western neighbour.
"I wasn’t really up in the Saskatchewan scene, but when I signed there (last week) my mom kind of gave me the comment that you have to be a Roughriders fan now," said Bright, after playing for the Vikings varsity boys’ basketball team on Friday in the Triple Crown Zone Challenge.
"It will be a little different and a different atmosphere, but I think I’ll enjoy it there."
Despite being a part of the Vikings’ football, basketball and track and field teams, Bright was always focused on playing football at the university level. He was contacted by a number of schools, but many things lured him to Regina.
Bright knew a few players who had been through the Rams program — including Massey assistant coach Bryce Ketcheson and Neelin graduate Connor Ketchen, who will enter his second season with the Rams next season.
Bright also liked the facilities and the feeling he got when he toured the U of R campus.
"From being there and talking to other universities, I just liked the atmosphere a lot better and the coaching staff," said Bright.
"I just felt a lot more at home signing with Regina than with anybody else. It’s a smaller school, too. It’s more of a family atmosphere."
Although he has proven to be an effective receiver in the Winnipeg High School Football League’s Kas Vidruk Division, Bright expects to be a defensive back with the Rams. He played on both offence and defence last season, finishing with five catches for 108 yards and rushing eight time for 173 yards and two touchdowns. On defence, he recorded nine tackles and intercepted two passes.
As the season went on, the 6-foot-3 Bright started enjoying the defensive side of the ball more and more.
"You can be good on pure athletic talent or you can be a good receiver just based on being smart on what you do," he said. "I like playing defensive back because it just allows me to go and play football and use my athletic ability and make plays."
Now that Bright has made a decision about his future, he feels more motivated than ever to finish off his high school education so he can join the Rams.
That doesn’t mean he’ll be slacking on his high school athletic career though. He plans to continue playing on Massey’s basketball team — he’s averaging nine points and seven rebounds per game — and run track this spring. However, he is anxious for his new life to begin in Regina.
"You want to get it done and get out there and meet the guys and get working with the team and get integrated in that kind of life," Bright said.
» cjaster@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition February 23, 2013
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Michael Bright may be bleeding green for the next few years.
The Vincent Massey student has signed his letter of intent with the University of Regina Rams football team, although he was a little iffy about moving to Manitoba’s western neighbour.
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Michael Bright may be bleeding green for the next few years.
The Vincent Massey student has signed his letter of intent with the University of Regina Rams football team, although he was a little iffy about moving to Manitoba’s western neighbour.
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