Courtesy Lauren Martin, AUS

Kwame Osei has it all; he is the captain of the StFX football team, recognized mentor, scholar and uplifting gentlemen. Not only has Kwame shown grit and determination in his football games, schoolwork and community development projects, he has also overcome incredible odds and through his faith in god and with help from close family, friends, coaching staff and teammates, Kwame has created his own success; but life wasn't always so easy…

Kwame grew up in Rexdale, Ontario, a neighbourhood found in sub-urban Toronto. This is an area where young men are just as likely to end up in jail as they are to receive their high school diploma. Kwame's time in Rexdale wasn't as picture perfect as one would want to believe. He has been stabbed, held at gunpoint, and has seen the direct repercussions of knife and gun violence.

Kwame, unlike many others from his neighbourhood, can contribute his success in a positive and uplifting way. He grew up with both his mother and father; they were great moral and ethical influences. Although he has admitted to rebelling and is not proud of his history of gang activity, crime and violence, when his childhood is looked back upon, it was the wisdom and protection of his parents that has contributed to Kwame's welfare.

Kwame's dream and aspiration was to play American league NCAA University football. He attended Vanier College to further focus on his academics and during the recruiting season obtained a discouraging knee injury. The injury bogged his sprits and changed his focus to Canadian Universities... more precisely, Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. StFX had become the best selection after Travis Noel, a brother-like mentor, was transferring to StFX from West Virginia's Marshall University, and had convinced Kwame to also attend. At first, Kwame was unsure about the the change from Rexdale to small town Antigonish and carried with him a few rough times during the new transition...

It took a series of consecutive incidents including: hand surgery due to a fight, walking away from a near death car accident and almost getting dismissed from University for Kwame to truly recognize the value of his life and education.

Kwame has internalized the accident as an epiphany; it made him realize he had to change his ways and step outside of the norm, he could no longer take life for granted. It was at this time that Kwame started taking his faith seriously and attended church with friends: Henoc Muamba, Cauchy Muamba and Kwasi Nkansah. This began to change his path of destruction, into a path of giving.

"If not me then who? ...If not now then when?" -An inspiring and encouraging quote that was told to Kwame pre-game by StFX Alumni. It is a statement that has resonated in his mind and he has said this is because "it applies not only to football, but also to the game of life." These words have made him realize that every day he would need to put his best foot forward to make a difference; because at the end of the day the only person that can prevent him from exceeding any limitations, other than God, is himself.

Kwame has come a long way to get where he is today, and can prove it by his great list of accomplishments. He was the 2009 StFX Alumni Recognition Award recipient, the 2010 AUS Football Student-Athlete and Community Service Award winner, the 2010 StFX Athletics Community Excellence Award winner and was nominated by the AUS conference for the Russ Jackson Award.

Kwame's community effort grew with help from others. Akeem Foster was a friend who played a vital role in his efforts to reach out to the community. The two came up with an outreach program called "X Athletes for Charity Event" in hopes of bridging the gap between university students and the community. Kwame states that his biggest accomplishment to date is founding the "X Athletes for Charity Event" which raises funds for Alzheimer's, Nova Scotia Kid Sport and the Antigonish Recreation Project. Camesha Mckenzie is another of Kwame's influential companions. She has played a vital role in the majority of the initiatives he has been a part of as Kwame has also founded ‘X-Change' and coordinated ‘StFX Run against Racism' all the while being an inspirational speaker at many schools.

Although he started off on a rough path, Kwame has put great effort to change what is expected of him in life, the process was not immediate, but it has led him to where he is today. With his story he hopes to motivate and encourage others to take opportunities as they come. Kwame looks for new opportunities in life; to play professional football, and continue to contribute, inspire and be involved with his community.

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Lauren Martin is a third year public relations student at Mount Saint Vincent University and is currently completing her co-op work term as a Public Relations Intern with Atlantic University Sport. If you have any athletes you would like to showcase in the new AUS Student Spotlight program, please contact Lauren at lmartin@atlanticuniversitysport.com.