SPORTS BABE OF THE DAY CAMPUS EDITION PRESENTS: Brent Vandenberg, #37, Left/Right Wing, Wilfrid Laurier. @therealvandy37
Tall and charming, loves country music and did I mention his favourite team is the Toronto Maple Leafs? Todays SBOTD CE is guaranteed to turn some heads, because I mean who doesn’t love a man in a suit working towards a business degree? This Burlington, Ontario native in none other than Brent Vandenberg of the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks.
24-year-old, 190 lbs, 5’11” Vandenberg just completed his 3rd and final year with Laurier’s Men’s Hockey Team! Previously playing with Niagara University from 2009-2011, before transferring to Laurier in 2011. Brent first started his playing career in 2004 with the Burlington Cougars, as well spent a season playing in the BCHL with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Vandenberg is known as a talented offensive player, scoring five goals and four assists playing in his rookie season for Niagara University in 2009-2010.
Besides being a skilled hockey player on the ice, Brent is also known as being a class act off the ice as well! Helping his hockey team in 2012 raise over $2,300 for Movember, not to mention being awarded the Top Mo Trophy for the teams best-looking mustache.
In between hockey workouts, events, practices and games Brent is working hard in his 4th year towards his Business Degree majoring in Marketing and Sales. And just when you think he can’t get any better, Brent is also the Laurier Lettermen President. They a Pro-Active Club of all Male Varsity Athletes responsible for charity work directed both on campus and throughout the Kitchener-Waterloo Community. From visiting the children’s wards at local hospitals, promoting participation in sports at local elementary schools, holding student nights at various locations to just having fun to help raise funds for charitable organizations, they pretty much do it all! This year they helped raise over $10,000 for breast cancer research! Pretty amazing right? Also participating this year in Mr.Heartthrob, the Lettermen had to come up with a talent to perform, with everyone being so focused on their sports, they picked the next best thing any male athlete could do! Needless to say, ladies if you can find the video I suggest watching it, you will not be disappointed!
And as if he needed to get any better than he already is, Brent also occasionally likes writing and has a great talent doing so! Check out his article found on the Laurier Golden Hawks website about the Lettermen and their meeting with a pretty amazing girl Lynne!
http://www.laurierathletics.com/createarticle.php?ID=7231
In between his busy schedule, Brent was kind of to sit down and give us an interview!
21 QUESTIONS WITH BRENT VANDENBERG
1. At what age did you start playing hockey? When did you realize you wanted to pursue it professionally? Did anyone have some influence on your decision to start playing?
I started playing at the age of 3. It’s what every Canadian kid does for the most part; some just find more of a passion on the ice and excel at it. I realized at a very young age. At the same time there is so much more to life than just hockey which took me a long time to realize. My parents have always been extremely supportive of whatever I chose to do and they were my biggest influence.
2. What is one thing that can instantly put you in a good mood?
Good music and people I genuinely enjoy being around. I’m fortunate to be extremely close with many people from various sports and different walks of life.
3. What are some obstacles you’ve had to overcome during your hockey career? If there are any!
Almost every career has obstacles whether it’s injuries, or unruly fans (Hopefully you can guess that movie). For me a tough pill to swallow was being traded in the BCHL from the Penticton Vees. I was extremely tight with the boys and even closer with my billet family who I still speak with to this day.
4. Almost every guy in hockey has a pregame routine what is your and what is your go-to pregame meal?
I always try to wake up relatively early to grab some breakfast and then I’ll usually mix in a movie and a nap. I try not to think too much about the game until warmys. Pregame is pretty standard, pasta and chicken, usually between 2-3Ppm.
5. What is your major and why did you choose it?
Business Administration, Marketing and Sales Concentration. I’d like to keep a competitive element in my life after sports and sales is a great landscape for that. I also enjoy marketing because it involves creative thinking, different challenges every day, and constantly meeting new people.
6. If you weren’t playing hockey, what other sport would you be playing?
I played lacrosse my entire life so probably lax. It was a good parallel with hockey in the summers but my passion was always for hockey.
7. Not all athletes are class acts, with that being said how do you conduct yourself on and off the ice? Do you consider yourself a role model?
I’d like to consider myself a class act and role model but nowhere near perfect. I’ve grown as a person, especially during my time at Laurier. I have a firm belief that athletes are in a position to make a positive impact on their surrounding community, so I try to volunteer as much as I can.
8. How do you spend your off season?
Working, working out, country concerts, and as much time as I can on the water fishing up at my cottage.
9. If I looked in your fridge right now, what would I find?
I try to keep it healthy. Lots of fruit and vegetables, big fan of sandwiches and wraps, and possibility an adult beverage or two.
10. If you could be the DJ in the locker room, what would your 3 go-to songs be?
I am the DJ in the locker room. Practice days usually consist of country, Pregame is Techno and Rap, and Post Game after a win is always a real feel good track. Country- Luke Bryan- That’s my kind of night. Techno- Calvin Harris- I need your love. Post-Game Win- Pitbull and Kesha- Timber
11. What is your biggest accomplishment in life and in hockey?
In hockey it’s tough to define a single moment. I would have to say just being able to compete at the University level for the last 5 years. In life, becoming the president of Lettermen was a pretty big accomplishment. It has been a well-known club at Laurier for decades, and to be able to make a positive impact on the school in my final year has been a privilege.
12. What NHL team did you like growing up, and what players did you look up to?
Toronto Maple Leafs has always been my team. Gary Roberts and Jarome Iginla are my two favourites.
13. If you were on deserted island, what are 5 things you would want with you?
My best friends, a fishing rod, music, first aid kid, and some matches.
14. Name one embarrassing hockey-related moment?
On the bus, sing a song, do an impersonation, tell a joke. I thought I did okay but the vets will always give you a tough time.
15. Why did you want to become a Lettermen?
I spoke of this a little earlier but the main reason was to give back to the community, which has always been a big factor in my life. It’s also become a place where male athletes from all teams can get to know each other, and we’ve become a big Golden Hawk family because of it. Some of my best friends in the world who will be in my wedding party are athletes from other teams on campus. Lastly, the networking and social element is second to none.
16. Do you have any guilty pleasures we should know about?
I like a lot of “chick music”.
17. Our readers want to know, single, dating or locked-down?
Single
18. How do you like being a part of the Laurier hockey team and community?
It’s been a blast. Coming to Laurier was the best thing that has ever happened to me. It changed me as a person for the better. I’m going to miss this place more than anything; it has been a major cornerstone for me becoming who I am today. The close knit community here is truly amazing.
19. What are you plans for the future?
To be honest I don’t have any long term plans. Life usually throws a lot of curve balls so I have nothing set in stone. I’m trying to enjoy my limited time left in school. After that I hope to find a career path that I thoroughly enjoy.
20. What do you want to be remembered for?
Fun, easy going, make the most out of every day, and a teammate/friend that could be counted on, on and off the ice.
21. Who should our next SBOTDCE be?
Tommy Griffiths- Laurier University Men’s Football Team #54. We’ve been through a lot together. He’s one of my best friends and just completed a huge CFL combine, turning a lot of heads as a free agent.
HOT SEAT WITH BRENT VANDENBERG
1. Name one player you’ve played with or against that you’re still in awe of?
Cory Conacher
2. What’s your favourite movie?
Warrior
3. What’s your perfect meal?
Medium Rare Steak, Sautéed Vegetables, Mashed Potatoes.
4. Name a unique fact about you that no one else would ever guess about you.
I was hypnotized in high school, it works.
5. Name a fear you have.
The most claustrophobic, ever.
6. Favourite store or designer
H & M
7. Favourite city to travel to?
Penticton, British Columbia
8. What is your favourite show that you follow?
Entourage, House of Cards, It’s Always Sunny in Philly
9. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Skin tone and hair colour. Personality after a conversation, sounds cliché but it’s true.
THIS OR THAT WITH BRENT VANDENBERG?
1. Chocolate or vanilla?
Vanilla
2. Going to the movies or Netflix?
Netflix
3. Beach house or ski house?
Beach House
4. Long or short hair?
Long in season, short in the off season.
5. Steak or chicken?
Steak
6. Bauer or Reebok?
Bauer
7. Boxers or briefs or boxer briefs?
Briefs
8. Comedy or action?
Comedy
9. Home or Away Jersey?
Home
10. Rap or Country?
Country 100 percent
11. Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner?
Breakfast
