By Angela Barrett-Jewers

Fourth-year men’s basketball player Sam Wade is making the most of his time at Dalhousie both on and off the court.

A native of Wallace, Nova Scotia, Wade grew up taking weekend trips with his father to Halifax to watch the AUS and U SPORTS basketball championships, but never expected to be anything more than a spectator.

“I have very fond memories coming to watch those championship tournaments with my dad,” reflects Wade. “I dreamed of one day playing in them myself, but never thought I would ever have the opportunity.”

Turns out dreams really do come true. Fast forward to September 2018 when Wade began his first year in the Faculty of Engineering and put on a Tigers jersey for the first time. Looking back, he’s confident he made the right decision by choosing Dalhousie.

“Dalhousie has been an excellent choice for me,” says Wade. “It has provided me with a distinguished education while living close enough to home to still spend time with my family when I’m not focused on academics or playing basketball.”

Adopt a Tiger program puts the focus on academics and athletics

The Adopt a Tiger program offers supporters an opportunity to assist Sam and his fellow Tigers in their pursuit of excellence as they balance the demands of being varsity student-athletes. Funds raised through Adopt a Tiger help ensure that the student experience offered to Dal Tigers is as superb as their commitment to represent the university.

“Exhibition travel, team-building activities and other extras go a long way in helping us come together as a team to reach our goals while we compete for Dal,” says Wade. “The Adopt a Tiger program funds those things for us so we can focus on succeeding on the court and in the classroom instead of funding those extras ourselves.”

Those pre-season games and team-building activities have been an integral part of the men’s basketball team’s success in recent years. They’ve won six of the last seven AUS championships and earned a silver medal at the 2019-20 national championship.

Building towards the future

Wade enrolled in Dalhousie’s Bachelor of Engineering with co-operative education with plans to pursue a career in structural engineering. He earned a Diploma of Engineering after his first two years and is on track to receive his BEng. in Civil Engineering in the spring of 2023.

A four-time Academic All-Canadian, Wade has completed three four-month co-op work terms, all with CBCL Limited’s Marine Structural Group in Halifax.

“I’ve had some incredible practical experiences during my co-op placements,” says Wade. “I’ve been privileged to work alongside some great mentors which will go a long way in starting may career post-graduation.

“I’m also very grateful to those who have made a donation to the Adopt a Tiger program,” adds Wade. “Their support has really allowed me to focus on school, basketball and making the most of my co-op placements to get my career started on the right foot. I hope to be able to be in a position very soon to pay it forward.”