Justin Praamsma played running back for the Laurier Golden Hawks from 1997 to 2000 and remains one of the program’s most productive ball carriers. He ranks fourth all-time in regular-season rushing at Laurier with 2,942 yards, and his 21 career rushing touchdowns place him fifth among Golden Hawks running backs.
In 1999, Praamsma scored four rushing touchdowns in a 42-27 semifinal win over McMaster. He twice topped the 200-yard mark in a single game -Â both in 2000, against Guelph and McMaster.
That season marked his best statistical year, as he ran for 1,066 yards in the regular season. He was named a first-team OUA all-star in 2000, joining seven Laurier teammates including Donnie Ruiz, Rohan Thompson and Kojo Millington.
Praamsma was also selected Laurier’s male athlete of the year.
After graduating, Praamsma worked in IT and business development at BlueCat Networks, serving as a product spokesperson across North America. He later held an executive management role with Cache Medals and worked as a fitness assessment manager at Extreme Couture.
Since 2012, he has served as a strength and conditioning coach at St. Martin Secondary School in Mississauga, where he led a mentorship program for students with cognitive challenges and implemented a school-wide Bully-Free Zone initiative.
For more than a decade, Praamsma has also worked as a product advisor at an automotive dealership.
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