Written by Warren Ward
You could barely contain his smile as he put pen to paper. Dylan Tucker saw his football dream become reality, when he signed his letter of intent to play quarterback for the Bishops Gaiters of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) league this past week.
“When I started playing football at nine years old, I always knew I wanted to play at the highest level,” says Tucker. “It was when I became a member of the Timberline Wolves and found my position playing quarterback in my grade nine year, that I found myself with aspirations of getting a post secondary education while playing the sport I loved.”
It’s been a journey of determination for the former member of the Campbell River Fighting Eagles, but he never lost sight of his goal of playing college football. In doing so, he’ll become the first Riverite to play pivot at that level in the process. There have been others from the Salmon Capital of the World to suit up on the university gridiron like DL Tyler Perkins (U. Regina Rams), DL Zack Kotilla (UBC Thunderbirds) and OL Robert Smith (U. Manitoba Bisons), but none at quarterback.
What excites Tucker most is the chance to help the Gaiters develop a winning culture after some recent struggles.
“I feel as a 22 year old having just completed three seasons of junior football, that I am confident to compete for the starting position,” says Tucker. “I know I have my work cut out for me with learning a new playbook while also focusing on my education, but I am dedicated to putting in the work, and putting myself in the best situations to be successful.”
Tucker has the physical tools to become a great college quarterback. A big arm to complement his 6’4″, 230 lb frame.
There have been highs along the way to his college dream, like being a young player on the 2009 Timberline Wolves BC Tier 2 championship team. He was named team MVP during his tenure with the Nanaimo Midget Redmen, and then there was the Cullen Cup championship in 2014 with the Rams.
There have also been some difficult times.
“Through my three years, (of junior football in Langley) I battled a few more injuries than I would have liked, which kept me off the field,” says Tucker. “As an athlete of any nature, you learn it is part of contact sports. Those adverse times helped me build character and mental toughness.”
That adversity paled in comparison to the personal tragedy that rocked his family.
“On February 20th, 2012 I lost my father to cancer. My Dad was the hardest working man I’ve ever known. He taught me so much about working for everything you want in life, and to always chase your dreams,” says Tucker. “Because of him, I am inspired everyday to be the best at everything I do. Every time I hit the field I look to the sky and can feel my dad with me. I know he’s got the best seat in the house. He shaped me into the young man I am today.”
Another family member has played a massive role in his development; his mom, Tina Skwarchuk.
“My mom has been my rock through thick and thin. She’s always been there for me providing her support and unconditional love,” says Tucker.
“Words can’t do me justice in explaining how big of an impact my mom has had on making me the man I am today. It’s her perseverance and dedication to always being the best parent possible, through many tough times, which has always inspired me to be the best version of myself.”
That perseverance and dedication helped him post some very good numbers with the Rams, despite the injuries.
Perhaps his most dominant performance came against the Westshore Rebels in the 2014 season. He went 10/10, with five of them going for touchdowns in a 75-16 road win in Victoria. Three times he threw for four or more touchdowns in a game.
Overall in his junior career, he completed 175 passes in 273 tries, good for 2951 yards, 34 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. In the 15 games he played under centre, his team won 10 of them.
Tucker will look to establish that same winning culture over time at Bishops. Tucker and the Gaiter’s first test will be the opening game on Sept. 3 against cross-town rival, Sherbrook with the Mayors Cup on the line.
