Asante Mizan grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Thomas Jefferson High School.
Playing football there, he helped lead his team to the school’s first city championship in 75 years.
His next step was two semesters at a JUCO “on a full ride”, but ultimately, he then extended his education and playing career at WLU, following in the footsteps of his cousin, former Laurier legend Yannick Carter.
Over five seasons from 2011 to 2015, Mizan played in 40 games for the Golden Hawks.
I was present for his only touchdown: a key 30-yard interception return in WLU’s 49-26 win at Queen’s in 2015 (the last game ever played at the old Richardson Stadium). He cites that interception and Senior Day as key moments in his career.
In his first season, he played offensive line, but during his last four seasons, he played for Coach VanMoerkerke on the defensive line. During that time, he amassed 69 solo & 47 assisted tackles, five career sacks, and a fumble recovery.
While at Laurier, he also worked at Wilf’s.
After Laurier, he moved to Fort McMurray, Alberta, and won two national championships playing semi-pro football, volunteered as a football coach at local schools and football camps, and became the commissioner of a high school football league.
Those experiences helped him form connections, which then led him to work for a non-profit organization called "Some Other Solutions".
It was there that he was a child and youth worker in charge of programming and peer mentoring support, dealing with such issues as depression, bullying, abuse, and suicide. This also involved performing similar roles with indigenous groups in northern Alberta.
Other key issues that Mizan tackled during this time included becoming a voice and ally for missing native women and victims of sexual assault.
Following that, Asante pivoted into water sales and treatment, which was an important role during the 2020 flood in Fort McMurray.
Recently, Mizan left his job as an account manager with a major tobacco firm, where he worked for three years. Currently, Asante is a General Manager for two separate brands for the Canadian Brewhouse Group, increasing their sales over 50% in his first year, which resulted in his recognition as Rookie of the Year in his company.
Asante married his college sweetheart (who he met at WLU), and they have two beautiful daughters.
