Laurier Grads Soar is a multi-part series that returns for it's fourth installment during the 2019-20 season. The segment features former Wilfrid Laurier University athletes and student-leaders in the Athletics and Recreation Department, and the success they have enjoyed since leaving Laurier. Written by award-winning journalist David Grossman, different features will be released throughout the year that will emphasize the role Athletics and Recreation played in helping them achieve success.

Chrissy McEwan: Account Executive, Detroit Pistons

As a teen, Chrissy McEwan had big plans in basketball.

Those who watched her on the game floor marveled at the skills, appreciated the performance artistry and saw a gold standard of athleticism. 

Since those early days of growing up in Sarnia, McEwan always exhibited something special in the pursuit of excellence. She was a teenage student with academic honors, took part in multiple sports and was selected Athlete of the Year.

Recruited to play basketball at Wilfrid Laurier University, she blew out her knee ending her competitive days. Tough times, but it was nowhere near dealing with the tragic sudden death of her mother while she was a student at St. Christopher Secondary.

On the hardwood, twice in high school – grade 9 and again in grade 12 – she sustained partial tears in her left knee, had severe pain and inflammation requiring surgery followed by rehabilitation. 

It was before she resumed her education at Laurier that McEwan went to Africa, part of the Free The Children program, and devoted time building a school and educating youngsters in Kenya.

McEwan would return home, and with an older sister studying at Laurier, she chose the same university to also be closer to her sister and maintain her strong believe in the importance of family.

“I had never been to Laurier, walked in and immediately knew it was the right place for me,” said McEwan, who would spend the next few years getting involved in all aspects of athletics and recreation.

As for basketball, in some capacity, McEwan was hoping for another chance and that there would always be a pathway of some sort to that sport. Despite wearing a knee brace, she gave it another try. The comeback was not to be, so she looked for alternatives.

Coordinating intramural basketball programs, working in the Fitness Centre, taking on duties at the Hawk Desk, offering assistance in personal training, McEwan was involved in almost everything. She even found time to earn certification in a variety of specialized fitness programs.

“I was a Kinesiology student at heart, and there were occasions when I thought all my time was in Athletics,” she said. “To be honest, working in the athletic department brought back my passion for sport. I would later specialize more and was passionate about working, and talking, with people.”

For McEwan, her final academic year at Laurier was a big one.

She won a Laurier Award of Excellence for her work in personal training with student athletes. Add on making the Dean's Honor Roll and later graduating with a degree in Sociology.

“There were times when I doubted a lot of things,” said McEwan. “The decision to go to Laurier raised my hopes. I became more committed, comfortable and fearless.”

Coming from a family of educators, McEwan contemplated a career in teaching. But interest in sports administration surfaced, as did a desire to learn about the field of coaching. Her enthusiasm for knowledge expanded branching out from sociology to sport science to sports administration.

McEwan would move on to Ohio University, earning a Masters Degree in Recreation and Sports Science. With Ohio contacts, as well as her knowledge and affection for sport, McEwan would learn about corporate sponsorship after landing an internship with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).

Then came some networking mentorship and McEwan – wanting to return to the world of basketball – got the break. She saw a job opening, applied and was later hired, by the Detroit Pistons, as an account executive working closely with premium clients and corporate partnerships.

“I remember, it was around age 17, that I thought about a dream job – to work in the NBA,” she said. “With Detroit so close to home, I went to their games and imagined what it would be like working for them.

“I've learned that you find what you're passionate about – and stick with it,” she said. “Then, look for someone who knows your career strengths, your knowledge, your commitment to work hard and will fight for you. I want to be a role model for others.”

-END-

David Grossman is a multi award-winning communicator and storyteller with a distinguished career in Broadcasting, Journalism and Public Relations in Sport and Government Relations

2016-17 Features
Steve Griggs - Chief Executive Officer and President, Tampa Bay Lightning
Sophie Kotsopoulos - Senior Director of Integrated Marketing, National Hockey League
Mike McKenna - Former Director, Telecom, Media and Technology Investment Banking
Nicole Lee - Director of Integrated Marketing, National Hockey League
Mike Bartlett - Executive Director, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Foundation
Rebecca Watts - Manager, 2017 World Junior Hockey Championship
Hugh Lawson - Director of Business Development, Staples Promotional Products
Cheryl Pounder - Former Canadian National Women's Hockey Team Member
John Morris - 2010 Olympic Men's Curling Gold Medalist
Bill Burke - Chief Executive Officer and Owner, Niagara Ice Dogs

2017-18 Features
Tania Pedron - Manager of Administration and Operations, Maple Leafs Sport and Entertainment
Wayne Kemick - BMO Wealth Advisor
Denise Burke - President, Niagara Ice Dogs
Kevin McDonald - Vice President of Football Operations and Player Safety, CFL
Dr. Megan Yaraskavitch - Neurologist
Andrew Agro - Director of Corporate Sponsorship and Business Development, New York Jets
Marcia Powers-Dunlop - Senior Manager of Professional Support Services, Toronto District School Board
Joe Vernon - Lawyer, Miller Canfield
Emily Rudow - Founder, Oneiric Hockey
Todd Cooney - Vice President and Broker, CBRE Limited
Jennifer Elliott - Sports Information Officer, uOttawa Gee-Gees
Rohan  Thompson - Social Worker and Professor, Conestoga College
Dr. Fiona Aiston - Family Doctor
Jeremy Hedges - Founder and President, Inksmith
Sadie Anderson - Firefighter
Andrea Elliott - Sports Information Specialist, Ryerson Rams
Alyssa Lagonia - Professional Soccer Player

2018-19 Features
Ashley Stephenson - Teacher and member of Canada's national women's baseball program
J.R. Edwards - General Manager/Country Director, Carlsberg USA
Ginger Whitney - Vice President, Whitney and Company Realty Limited
Sandy Nixon - Loopstra Nixon law firm
Christina Polano - Lawyer
Donnie Ruiz - CFL alum, artist, personal trainer, and award-winning body builder
Jahmeeks Beckford - Support Worker, Carizon Family and Community Services
Melanie Witzell - Founder and Agency Director, Mad Hatter Technology
Eric Calder - Owner and President, Skills Plus Hockey
Ryan MacDonald - Strength and Conditioning Coach, Volleyball Canada National Beach Team