Holy Cross star Bjorgan commits to play for Windsor
One day Brett Bjorgan hopes to be a personal trainer to help athletes reach their goals but first he has goals of his own.
The Grade 12 Holy Cross Secondary School athlete committed this week to the University of Windsor Lancers football program for this fall.
Bjorgan helped lead the Holy Cross Hurricanes to their first COSSA senior football title and an OFSAA Bowl appearance in 2019.
He’s also played four years for the Peterborough Wolverines.
Through most of his football journey, his father, Bond Bjorgan, has been one of his coaches with the Wolverines and at Holy Cross, where he teaches. Bond also played OUA football for the Western Mustangs and Brett hopes to exceed his father’s accomplishments.
“That’s the goal,” said Brett, 17, with a laugh.
“By far, my Dad has been my No. 1 supporter and the coach to push me the furthest and the hardest so far. I’m glad for all the knowledge and motivation he’s provided me with, even though at times it seemed really hard and I wanted to leave or ignore it, but without him I wouldn’t be in this situation.”
The Lancers were one of the later schools to approach Bjorgan, who also talked to Queen’s, Guelph, Ottawa and McMaster, but they made the strongest pitch. Windsor also had the kinesiology program he wanted.
“Windsor was the school I think that had the most interest in me and the school I had the best feeling about,” he said.
“I might have a bigger role sooner on the team and that’s something that really interested me.”
Darby Bradley, who coached Bjorgan at Holy Cross, is a Lancers alumnus.
“He gave me some insight on their football team and the school aspect, as well,” Bjorgan said. “He made a ton of new friends and really enjoyed his time not just as an athlete but as a student.”
Another Hurricanes coach, Chris Paige, also his rugby coach, has been a big influence on Bjorgan’s development.
His mother, Melissa, has been his biggest fan.
“She supported me winning or losing. Whether I played a great game or didn’t play well. She always believed in me and encouraged me especially in the times when I was nervous or struggling with my confidence,” he said.
Finalizing his agreement with Windsor was a special moment.
“I’m super excited to start this next chapter of my life and see what the future holds. I want to appreciate all the opportunities that Peterborough gave me, whether it was Kinsmen, Wolverines or Holy Cross. I’m thankful for all the coaches who helped me along the way. John Welsh, Ken Butcher, Jerry Peters, my Dad. I don’t know where I’d be without them football wise,” he said.
Bjorgan hasn’t played football since the fall of 2019 because of the pandemic.
“I want to start getting back into the game and starting as soon as possible,” he said.
Bjorgan started playing in the Kinsmen Minor Football League in grades 5 and 6 but switched to baseball for two years.
He returned to football in Grade 8 with the Wolverines. He’s also played rep and high school hockey, but football emerged as his passion.
“There is always room to improve, to get stronger and faster,” he said. “It is a really fun game to play. Most of my life decisions have been based around football.”
He has played receiver, quarterback, running back and even on defence through the years.
He says Windsor’s coaches view him as a slotback.
“Due to the lack of numbers at our school, lots of guys, including myself, played both ways and multiple positions. I think that really benefited me,” Bjorgan said. “It gave me knowledge across the game on both sides of the ball.”