Jayme Marteniuk – Economics and Business Editor

For most student-athletes, competing at the varsity level in one sport is enough of a challenge. For Kiano Heath, the challenge hasn’t just been balancing sports with school, it’s been excelling in three. From basketball to rugby, and now football, Heath’s path is anything but conventional, but it’s a journey that has taught him lessons in resilience, leadership and living in the moment.

Photo courtesy of Robert Ferron

At 24, Heath is in his sixth year at Bishop’s, pursuing a degree in Classical Studies with the aim of working in the museum sector. Standing at 6’10”, he has the build of a basketball player, which is exactly how his varsity career began. But as his athletic journey evolved, so did his passion. After transitioning to rugby, and later to football, Kiano has proven that following your gut can sometimes open the door to unexpected success.

From Basketball to Rugby to Football

Heath’s most recent transition to football began with a leap of faith. After losing some of the spark he once had for rugby, he knew he needed a new challenge. “You need passion for rugby,” he said. “And while I’ll always be welcome back, I just felt it wasn’t the right fit anymore.” Unsure of what the year would hold, he stumbled across a football edit of JJ Watt, and something clicked.

“I went out on a whim and followed my gut that maybe I should try football,” Heath said. That gut decision landed him a spot as an interior defensive lineman, one of 91 players on the roster, on a team that boasts more than ten coaches and some of the most organized training he has ever experienced.

Learning the Game

The transition wasn’t easy. Unlike rugby, where drills were familiar from academy to varsity level, football threw him directly into the deep end. “With football, you get thrown in with 91 other guys. Sometimes there are 80 guys in one drill. You have to figure it out fast, and if you mess up, it doesn’t go unnoticed.”

But the challenge of learning a new sport also gave Heath fresh motivation. Rugby had taught him toughness and the importance of playing low – lessons that carried directly into football. “I didn’t have to unlearn anything,” he said. “It was just about learning new techniques and trusting the coaches.”

Mindset and Motivation

Across all three sports, Heath learned to prepare both mentally and physically in unique ways. Basketball required the anticipation of opponents, rugby demanded sheer intensity, and football is about balancing anger with focus. But what unites them is perspective.

“A lot of what I learned over the years playing multiple sports is that it’s just a game,” Heath said. “As much as you dedicate your life to it, you’re out there to play with your buddies. And when you put it like that, a lot of the nerves go away.”

His approach to physical preparation has also evolved. With the help of a former roommate who is a certified personal trainer, Heath learned proper dieting and fueling his body, building on the healthy habits instilled by his parents.

Leadership Through Effort

While Heath is still learning the finer points of football, he has already found ways to contribute as a leader. For him, leadership isn’t about hierarchy or seniority but about effort. “Everything has to do with effort. Even if you don’t know the technique, at least fail with effort rather than not trying,” he said.

He carries that mentality into supporting teammates who might not get as much playing time. “If I’m playing, I need to boost those guys and motivate them to put in the effort it takes to play.”

Living in the Moment

If there’s one lesson Heath takes from playing three varsity sports, it’s to live fully in the present. “This year I’m playing football. If I stuck with basketball or rugby, maybe I’d be doing something else. But I don’t think like that. I live with the decision I made, and I’m comfortable following my gut.”

For Heath, wearing the Gaiters jersey is about more than performance. It’s about gratitude — for his parents, friends, old and new teammates and the Bishop’s community that has supported him. His philosophy is simple: stay in the moment, embrace change and never let the game become bigger than life.

“You’re not limited to what you start out as,” he said. “You can change. You’re not confined to one path. If you want to make a change and you think it’s going to be beneficial, then make that change.”

For Heath, that change meant putting on a Gaiters football jersey. And he couldn’t be more grateful.