The Gaiter alumnus speaks about his first season in the CFL.
Hailing from Brampton, Ontario, James Yurichuk decided to pursue his education and his football career at Bishop’s University. What a great decision it was, because it has helped him reach a personal goal: playing professional football. ‘Yuri’ was drafted 4th overall in the 1st round of the 2009 CFL draft because of his versatility as a linebacker and special teams player. His 6’4”, 233 pound frame attracted the Lions, as did his second-team All-Canadian selection in 2008 after he finished second in Quebec and third in the nation with 59.5 tackles. Now, Yurichuk has experienced his first season in the CFL, and is back at Bishop’s to finish his degree. He gave me a few minutes of his time out of his busy off-season schedule to share his experience up to date.
Nick: Last May you were drafted fourth overall by the BC Lions. How did it feel to finally make it to the CFL after your stretch at BU?
James: Draft day was probably the best day of my life to this point. It was a great feeling knowing that I could continue playing football after university. Not very many people get this chance so I was grateful for the opportunity.
N: Former Gaiters Dan McCullough and Jamall Lee are also playing for the Lions. What’s it like to be reunited with those guys?
J: I can’t lie, I love playing with the old goons from BU. They made the transition out West a lot easier for me. We keep things loose at practice and on the road, making it fun to come to work every day. Our favorite thing to do out there is put up $50 orders at McDonalds the day after the game.
N: What kind of impression did Coach Blugh leave on you and did he teach you anything that was essential to making the CFL?
J: Coach Blugh will be someone I will never forget and to whom I owe a lot of my success. He played 15 years in the league, so he knows what it takes to play at the next level. He coaches his football team in a manner that is very similar to the pros, so I was pretty much already expecting everything that came my way at the next level. One area that Coach Blugh stresses is the mental approach to the game and without the guidance he gave me in this area, I would probably be pursuing another field right now.
N: First season in the pros, how was it?
J: It was a ‘comme-ci comme-ca’ (so-so) season, as we snuck into the playoffs with a 9-9 record. The highlight of the year was our first round playoff win against Hamilton, but this was followed by the lowlight of the season which was a whooping by Montreal to end our season.
N: You’ve made quite the impact at the CFL level so far, so what can we expect from you next season and what are you doing to get better?
J: I don’t know exactly what to expect for next year because everything is so uncertain with free agency, trades and the draft, but my personal goal is to get some clock on defense. Usually they groom the younger players like me for a couple years on special teams to help with the transition to defense, so I am just going to have to go all out in camp if I want to earn that spot.
Right now I’m doing all the regular stuff you would think a football player would be doing, like lifting weights and running, but I tried adding a few obscure methods to my training. I am doing some hot yoga for flexibility as well as tango dancing to help with my hip movement. I’m getting chirped by the boys for these activities but you gotta pay the cost to be the boss!
N: You’ve reached a personal goal of playing professional football. How did Bishop’s help you reach that goal?
Y: The Bishop’s environment promotes success for its students both on and off the field. There is a camaraderie that exists among professors, students, alumni and staff that you can’t find at other places. The genuine support these people have shown has molded me into a better person today. For this I am most grateful to Bishop’s because I know James Yurichuk, the person, will be around a lot longer than James Yurichuk, the football player.
