Men’s Volleyball
Monday Morning Quarterback: Men’s hockey Gryphons claim Frosty Mug in front of 4,715
Throughout the 2017-18 season, U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our new interview series “Getting to know…”
Name: Chayse Warkentin
School: Brandon University
Sport: Men’s volleyball
Position: Middle
Year: Second
Program: Bachelor of Physical Education Studies
Hometown: Gladstone, Man.
1. What attracted you to Brandon University?
My parents both came here, so I thought right even before I considered playing volleyball here I was already considering coming here to further my education and then when Bobcats head coach Grant Wilson asked me to sign I thought that was perfect.
2. What’s your favorite memory and your greatest athletic achievement as a U SPORTS student-athlete?
(In October of my first year), I was driving towards Morden, Man. and was hit head-on by another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. It just kind of drove into my lane and I tried to avoid it and we hit head-on. I broke all five metatarsals in my right foot, and then sustained hairline fracture in my left foot on my fifth metatarsal. I also had bruised lungs from the seatbelt from impact, and my ankle on my right foot was smashed. I spent a week in hospital at Winnipeg and then after that I went home until early December.
I quite vividly remember coming back the first game back. When they announced my name after returning from that crash was one of my biggest moments. To go from not being able to use my legs being in a wheelchair for probably a month and a half, and then being able to play full volleyball again with no restrictions was just unreal. Then I won the inspirational award for our team - that was a great moment as well.
3. Where are you hoping your path will take you after university?
I plan to finish up my volleyball career here and then get my education. Then hopefully end up as a high school teacher somewhere, maybe in Brandon.
4. Who’s had the greatest influence on your athletic career?
Probably my parents. Both my mom and my dad, they’ve always been super supportive of what I did and it didn’t matter what I did they were just always supportive. Things like club (volleyball), they said don’t worry about the cost, you can play if you want to play, and they came to all my games and made sure I could get to practice.
5. Who is someone in the sports world, past or present, with whom you’d love to dinner with? Why?
Derek Jeter. I’ve found him to be a real inspirational player and his motivation on the field and off the field. From his personality off the field as well and the things I’ve heard coaches say about him, he seems like a great guy.
6. What is your pre-game ritual? Do you have any superstitions/idiosyncrasies around preparing yourself for a game?
I’m not a hugely superstitious guy, I usually just bow my head in prayer and thank God for the opportunity to be here and to give me the strength to play to the best of my ability and whatever happens is up to Him.
7. What’s your go-to song to get pumped up for a practice or a game?
It changes every now and then but right now I’m thinking Weakness by Prismo.
8. What’s your favorite social media account to follow?
New York Yankees on Instagram. Keeps me in touch with all that’s going on with the Yankees and baseball and that is definitely my favorite account.
9. If you could try another sport, what would it be and why?
Baseball. I’ve played it for as long as I can remember and it’s been one of my favorite sports. Before I started playing volleyball I wanted to play baseball, university or college-wise in the States, but I didn’t really get much for offers. But that is definitely another sport that I would want to play at a higher level.