Beginning in early August, John DeCoste will profile selected student-athletes bi-weekly in his online feature "In Pursuit of Excellence".
JOHN DECOSTE
A native of Pictou, Nova Scotia and a 1977 Acadia graduate, John DeCoste was an award-winning sports journalist in Kings County from September, 1993 to April, 2016.
During that time, coverage of Acadia varsity sports was an important part of his working life.
John has been recognized both regionally and nationally for both his sports writing and photography. He is a two-time winner of the Atlantic University Sport media award, and has also been recognized by Baseball Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation.
John spent several years on the U SPORTS Hockey Top-Ten committee, and is currently an active member of the selection committees for the Acadia and Berwick and District Sport Hall of Fame. He is scheduled to be inducted into the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame in the builder category in the fall of 2017.
John has been a follower of Acadia varsity sports since his student days. In 2014, he released his first sports publication – 'Living the Dream', a 50-year history of Acadia men's basketball at the nationals.
John lives in Aylesford with his wife, professional artist, illustrator and art instructor (and three-time Acadia graduate) Twila Robar-DeCoste.
SARA BAXTER
Sara Baxter is a senior student-athlete at Acadia who is a member of the Acadia Axewomen rugby team. Sarah has a passion to write and spent this past summer with Acadia's Fred. C Manning School of Business as a student-manager of communications.
IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
August 22, 2017 - Erik Nissen - Basketball by John DeCoste
August 29, 2017 - Keiler Cherry - Football by John DeCoste
September 6, 2017 - Chrissy Smith - Cross Country by John DeCoste
September 13, 2017 - Harley Tucker - Rugby by John DeCoste
September 20, 2017 - Horton Grads now playing for Axemen by the Advertiser
September 27, 2017 - Lifelong Friendship by Sara Baxter
October 3, 2017 - Ryan Parris - Axemen Soccer by John DeCoste
October 10 - Guy Harrison-Murray - Axemen Swimming by John DeCoste
Oct. 17 - Liam Maaskant - Axemen Hockey by Sara Baxter
Oct. 24 - Erik Nissen - Axemen Basketball by Sara Baxter
Oct. 31 - Sarah Ross - Axewomen Volleyball by Sara Baxter
Nov. 1 - Jalynn Skeir - Axewomen Basketball by John DeCoste
Nov. 22 - Owen Klassen - Former Axeman Basketball by Basketball Canada
Nov. 29 - Stephen Harper - Axemen Hockey by John DeCoste
Dec 14 - Labour of Love - Acadia's part-time coaches by Sara Baxter
Jan. 9 - Emma Duinker - Emma Duinker studying, coaching at University of Windsor by John DeCosete
Jan 15 - Elliott Richardson - Labour of Love by Sara Baxter
Jan 22 - Allie Berry - Record breaking Axewoman
Jan 29 - Bob Vespaziani - Bringing Axemen football to the National forefront