Acadia's February home games hold special significance for two members of the men's basketball team.
For both Shaquille Smith of North Preston and Thomas Johnston of Midland, ON, these games will mark the last times the two will wear an Acadia uniform in War Memorial Gymnasium. Johnston and Smith, a pair of six-foot-three guards, will graduate at the end of the 2015-26 season.
"Shaq and T.J. have been major pieces to the culture we strive to build at Acadia over their five years,'' said Acadia coach Kevin Duffie. "They have had tremendous careers as Axemen and it will be sad to see them go, but exciting to watch them impact the world beyond the doors of Acadia."
Smith has emerged as a team leader, providing direction to fellow Axemen in practice, the locker room and during games.
As he looks back on an Acadia career that started with an AUS championship in his rookie season, Smith says he will miss life as a student-athlete.
"Win, lose or draw, I always knew I had a team of brothers who always supported one another on or off the court," said Smith
"If it was celebrating after a win or hurting after a loss, the way we always stick together, in my opinion, is the perfect team."
Smith came to Acadia from Auburn High School and would be joined by former high school teammate A.J. Simmonds in his second year.
The personable Smith has also been a regular at Acadia's summer basketball camps over the years and a camp favourite with camp attendees.
For student-athletes just starting their varsity careers, Smith advises that they should find the "beauty in the struggle."
"Not everything in your basketball career is going to go according to plan. But find motivation within your current situation. It doesn't matter if you are striving to make the team, make the starting lineup or making the all-star team. Realize that nothing is going to be handed to you, and if you truly appreciate the struggle of obtaining your goals, then working hard just becomes a habit."
Smith will leave with plenty of memories and highlights. One of his favourite memories was winning the AUS championship.
"There is no better feeling then grinding out an entire season with your teammates, and then finishing the season off with that championship trophy," he said.
Team road trips were also a highlight.
"Road trips are an opportunity to get to know your teammates on a more personal level," said Smith. "The times we spent on road trips are irreplaceable. Whether we are just hanging out the hotel, bus or eating a pre-game meal, the laughs were endless and the memories will stay with me forever."
Smith will graduate with a bachelor of business administration, with a major in business technology management.
"Shaq has been nothing short or a warrior throughout his five-year career,'' said Duffie. " An ironman of sorts, who rarely missed a practice or training session. He is a mature young man and was able to shoulder the ups and downs of being a varsity athlete from day one. He is one of the greatest teammates I have seen over my 10 years involved with the program, likeable and well respected."
Smith, who has provided his share of thrills for Acadia basketball fans with his gravity-defying dunks, would like to continue to play basketball if an opportunity presents itself and is also excited about pursuing a business career.
Smith has a sister in her first year as with the St. Francis Xavier women's basketball team and is in regular contact with her has she starts her career as a student-athlete.
Johnston has been a consummate team player during his Acadia career, filling whatever role is asked of him, coming off the bench or in the starting lineup.
Despite his senior status, T.J., as he is known to his teammates, regularly totes water bottles for the team, a role usually relegated to rookies. On and off the court, Johnston will do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Like Smith, Johnston, who played his high school basketball at Midland's St. Theresa Secondary School, says he will miss his life as a student-athlete at Acadia.
"I think what I'll miss most is the experience itself. Sure basketball takes up a lot of your time, you battle through injuries and illnesses throughout your career, you have your ups and downs, but I wouldn't change any of that."
Johnston was also a member of the Acadia squad that won an AUS championship in 2011-12.
The recreation management student hopes to remain in the Wolfville area after he graduates and work in sports and recreation.
"T.J. is a selfless individual who has been the ultimate utility man over his career,|" said Duffie. "He was recruited as a point guard and has played the majority of his minutes as a power forward and even as our centre at times. That is T.J. in a nutshell, he does whatever it takes, on and off the floor, to help the team."
Acadia's February home stand starts with the Axemen hosting CBU for a pair of games on Friday, Feb. 5 and Saturday, Feb. 6. On Friday, Feb. 19, the Axemen host UNB. Acadia's final home game is against Saint Mary's on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Contributed by Frank De Palma