Graduating Seniors Q&A: Yassin, Jamieson brought excellence, longevity and leadership
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Two key members of the first Griffins men's soccer team to qualify for the Canada West playoffs are heading into the final home game of their memorable MacEwan careers on Friday night.
Following the Griffins' last game of the 2024 regular season vs. Alberta (6 p.m., Edmonton Scottish, Canada West TV), Rakan Yassin and Stewart Jamieson will be celebrated in a special Senior Day ceremony.
Both Yassin and Jamieson played the full 120 minutes in MacEwan's quarter-final overtime loss to Victoria on Oct. 30, 2021.
"They're builders of the program," said head coach Adam Loga. "To be where we're at now and see that progression and transition, sticking it out and giving everything to building this program is massive."
Enjoy a Senior Q&A with both players:
RICKY YASSIN
Adam Loga's coach's quote:
"Just growth, in one word. Recruiting him in 2019 as a young man, just his development over the last five odd years … I think it's special as well. He's a guy who came in when I was a younger coach in the league, making my way, if you will. I think it was pretty special. When we chat, reminisce and reflect on how we both have grown … just sharing that journey together in our respective positions within the program has been pretty special for the two of us."
Ricky Yassin enters the final regular season game of his Griffins career holding 11 program records outright, tied for seven others and within striking distance of two more (Jefferson Hagen photo).
Q&A with Ricky Yassin:
What will you be graduating with and when?
"I'm going to be graduating with an Arts degree, majoring in Psychology, minoring in Sociology. And hopefully by the end of the 2025 winter term."
Do you have a career goal in mind?
"I've been looking into the sports psychology field. We work with one on our team and it's very interesting to me. I think psychology and sports would be a good way to go for me."
Do you have plans to keep playing soccer?
"I was part of the League 1 Scottish Alberta team, and I want to work towards that because we're also playing in the Can Champ with the CPL teams. So, working towards that and seeing from there what opportunities come up."
When you look back on your time with the Griffins, what are some of your favourite memories?
"The one prominent one, for sure, is the playoff year in 2021. That's one of the longest lasting ones, right out of COVID, which was kind of different. It was such a good group of guys and a fun time to accomplish that for the first time for the program."
Is there a goal you've scored that stands out to you?
"Probably that same year, it would be a playoff goal. It was one to cut the lead in half against UVic. It was a run I made, and I was cutting through a couple UVic players and put it in the top right corner. That's probably one of my better goals, I'd say."
You're going to leave the program with multiple records, most recently setting the career goals and points mark. What does it mean to have accomplished all of that?
"It's awesome. It's a great feeling accomplishing these individual goals, not just being a player on the team, but a significant impactful player. It's huge for us. To be in that role on the team, and be a leader, leading by example for the team, is a great feeling."
You also won a MacEwan Male Athlete of the Year award over your time here (in 2021-22). What does that mean to you?
"It's always good to win those types of awards – putting our soccer program out there, especially across all sports at MacEwan. And hopefully soon maybe some recognition at the Canada West and U SPORTS level, as well. It's for sure a great feeling to accomplish that. It's a testament to the hard work that we put in. And obviously to be with the group of guys that we have every year, it's a great support system and it's not possible without them and the coaches as well."
What is your legacy with the program? What would you like to be remembered for?
"That's a great question. To be remembered as a player guys can turn to on and off the field. Someone who brings good energy, not only to the team but also being an impactful player, being a player who changes games and wins games. I'm trying to be that guy who does it for the team. A lot of guys might shy away from that type of role, but I think if you gain that confidence and you're playing well, there's no excuse to not be that type of player and step into that role. I think that's the main things for me to be remembered as a very impactful leadership role player."
Is there anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffin?
"Just a thank you to everyone – my teammates, the coaching staff, the athletic therapists. The program itself is just a tight-knit group. I really got an essence of a brotherhood, especially with the team. The relationships I've built with these guys over the years is something that's going to be a part of me the rest of my life. It's a great feeling to spend these five years at the same school, all at MacEwan."
STEWART JAMIESON
Adam Loga's coaches' quote:
"Just his hard work, commitment and dedication since 2021, coming in, helping push us to the next level, making playoffs and in contention year in and year out – every year always coming down to the last game whether we're in or out. He's definitely helped propel us to the next level. On the field, he plays with such intensity and a high work rate."
Stewart Jamieson has worn the captain's armband with pride over the last two seasons and will leave a legacy of hard work, leadership and longevity with the program (Jefferson Hagen photo).
Q&A with Stewart Jamieson:
What will you be graduating with and when?
"I'm going to be graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Supply Chain Management, and probably in the fall of 2025."
Do you have a career goal in mind?
"Initially, I just wanted to get this degree so I can go into after education. So, I hope to go into teaching. I'm planning on trying to head to either U of A or King's after. But we'll see down the line. I kind of want to make some money and travel a little bit."
Do you have any plans to keep playing soccer?
"Probably just recreationally. I'll probably coach more. I coach a lot already. I'll probably play once, maybe twice a week – nothing crazy."
Where are you coaching?
"At Scottish. Right now, I coach the 2011 PDP Boys, but who knows? I always hop around from team to team right now. I usually coach multiple different ages. So, maybe lock down one team next year. We'll see."
You were team captain last year and you're also part of the leadership group this year with Jakob Sievert and Ricky Yassin. What does that honour mean to lead these guys?
"It's been fantastic. That was a big reason for me staying and continuing my soccer career for as long as I did because I had the opportunity to captain MacEwan. Obviously, this year was a little bit tough being injured for most of the season, but it is what it is. I came back, I'm still wearing the armband. Ricky and Jakob really stepped up. All the praise in the world for both of them. They're both dedicated leaders and I think as a group we've done well this year, especially with a lot of first and second years. I'm excited to see where the team goes and who steps up as leaders when Ricky and I are gone."
When you look back at your career at MacEwan, what are some of your favourite memories?
"I think just making playoffs in my first year. That was probably my best year in terms of me playing. I got to meet people like Jakob, Alvin (Mazaheri), who was only there for that year. One of my close friends was the assistant coach – Paul Hamilton – so that was unbelievable to get coached by him. Then making playoffs and going to Victoria after COVID, that was a crazy kind of time. I still say that's the best field I've played on in my life because of how it looked and felt. It was under the floodlights. That's a memory I'll always hold."
You've played in a defensive position, but you did have two assists in your career. Does either stand out to you?
"To be honest, my first one against Lethbridge was to Alvin, and I was really close with Alvin and it was my first point, so I like that. My second one was to Phil (Masri) last year against Fraser Valley, but the Lethbridge one stands out mostly."
What's your legacy with the program? How would you like to be remembered?
"It's funny because I was talking to one of the staff members – Tim Adams – about that in Calgary. I was disgruntled coming back (from injury) and not feeling like I was at my best performances. But we just talked about … I think my impact is not necessarily on the field. It's been off the field and trying to develop a culture of people who want to stay with the team. Throughout my whole career, I've noticed lots of players come, they play, and they leave. Not a lot of tenures of three, four or five years. I think through my legacy, I'm hoping that sticks. I'm hoping a lot of players stay for at least three years, play four years, play five years, so we can actually have a constructed team for a period of time. I think that was what I noticed and I'm hoping more players stay for longer."
Is there anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffin?
"Lots of great, great memories and I'm insanely proud of myself for going through a long tenure, just pushing myself to compete at a level I never thought I'd compete at. I'm proud of myself and proud of all the people who were involved in this journey for me. A huge thanks to Adam Loga, who was a big, big factor in me staying and me getting a degree, and everything he's done for me. I owe him the world. Big thanks to him."
