by Gayle Johnson
GAZETTE STAFF
Legends Rise as the Brandon University Bobcats Men’s Volleyball Team wins the U Sports National Championship and take home the Tantramar Trophy! The year 2025 will forever be a high point in Brandon University’s sports history, remembered for generations to come.
Brandon University made its historic debut as the host of the U Sports National Championship, and its Men’s Volleyball Team not only celebrated its 20th anniversary but also achieved an incredible milestone by winning the first National Championship in the team’s history!
On March 23rd, a capacity crowd gathered in the massive Brandon University Auditorium to watch the Brandon Bobcats take on the Alberta Golden Bears.
Both teams were fiercely battling for the coveted first-place spot and the chance to claim the Tantramar Trophy.
All the players were focused and fully embraced the challenge they faced, while the spectators were on the edge of their seats, because, as any sports enthusiast is aware, the outcome remains uncertain until the final second of the game ticks away.
Tyler Crayston, who was doing the play-by-play of the game, admitted that when the game was over, it was a hugely emotional moment for everyone involved.
Reflecting on the game, Tyler remarked; “The team was playing exceptionally well, and the huge crowd made the entire event electrifying.”
Tyler went on to say; “That game was the hugest emotional high I have experienced in the 10 years I have been part of the Bobcat family.” When the final score was realized, “there wasn’t a dry eye to be seen. Emotions were very high and with good reason.”
Good things should be shared, and that was precisely what Brandon University alum and now TSN producer Kevin Pratt did!
Kevin sent the game’s monumental final point clip, which included Tyler’s unforgettable play-by-play, to Jay Onrait, the host of TSN’s Onraits and Wrongs. (It should be noted that Jay Onrait is an alum of the University of Alberta, home of the Golden Bears.)
As Jay played the clip during a segment of Onraits and Wrongs, Tyler’s voice rang out loud and clear.
“Legends rise. It’s gone. And in 41 years, I have never seen as much courage, the fight, and the will to win. Bobcat Nation, another banner will hang here.”
That statement summed it up perfectly.
But there is more to this story.
Tyler Crayston, who grew up in Glenora and attended Baldur School, wanted to share the trophy and the win with the current students of Baldur School, and that was precisely what he did.
Last Friday, Tyler, Bobcat Head Coach Grant Wilson, and four Bobcat team members – JJ Love, Liam Pauls, Riley Brunet, and Sam Chen – all landed at Baldur School to play a rousing game of dodgeball with some of the students and enjoy a school-wide BBQ lunch. The star-struck students were thrilled to see the trophy up close and meet some of the players, the coach, and the guy who does a remarkable job with game play-by-plays.
Tyler always works to uplift, inspire, and motivate the people around him and initiates connections like this to show kids that their dreams are attainable.
In Tyler’s own words:
“If you have a dream, a true passion, not even a meteor will stop you from achieving your goals. Things will happen that will suck, but you have to keep moving. You appreciate things more when you have to face adversity. You can’t appreciate the good times without the bad. “Treat each year of your life like a round in boxing; you won’t win every round, but with great people in your corner, you have a good support system and you will win the match.”
Thank you to Tyler, Coach Wilson, JJ, Liam, Riley and Sam for coming to Baldur for a great visit and sharing the story of your amazing National Championship win.
Congratulations! We can’t wait to see what next year brings for the team!
