Football
A multi-sport athlete while growing up in Barrie, Ont., Kyle Graves, a 6-foot-3 quarterback with the Axemen, has achieved a tremendous amount in a sport he only began playing in grade ten.
The reigning AUS most valuable player, Kyle returns for a fifth and final season in 2012 to once again guide the offensive attack of the defending Atlantic conference champion Acadia Axemen.
His football career began in 2004 at Bear Creek Secondary High School and later with the OVFL's Huronian Stallions. Graves arrived on the Wolfville, N.S., campus as a seasoned quarterback, having chosen Acadia for its small campus, personable education and a coaching staff dedicated to helping students-athletes grow.
“Kyle was one of our top recruits when he came to Acadia,” says Acadia head coach Jeff Cummins, the 2011 AUS and CIS coach of the year. “I saw a very good athlete who was a great football player, a great basketball player and a great baseball player along with being the top provincial high jumper, long jumper and triple jumper”.
Rising in the ranks of Atlantic University Sport football conference quarterbacks, Kyle's fourth season was his most memorable to date. Named as an AUS all-star at two different positions in 2011, Graves averaged over 254 yards per game of total offence, including a league-leading 232 yards passing per game, the eighth best average in nation.
He was also a leader on special teams, leading the conference in punting with an average of 36.7 yards per punt, including 8 punts of 50-plus yards and 17 punts downed inside the opponent 20 yard line.
Kyle’s play helped the Axemen post a record of 7-1, their best regular season mark in over 25 years.
Graves follows in a long line of outstanding quarterback at Acadia who have been nominated for the CIS Hec Crighton Award, including Bob Cameron ('77, '78), Steve Repic ('81), Larry Jusdanis ('94, '95) and Blaine Scatcherd ('95).
While being named the MVP was a thrill this past season, Graves would trade it, hands down, for the chance to bring home a CIS championship.
“My aspiration for the team this year is to win a Vanier Cup. Losing to the eventual champion McMaster in the semifinal bowl was not the way we wanted our season to end,” points out Graves. “I feel it would be almost a storybook ending to a career if I could finish my CIS career with a Vanier Cup in Toronto, in front of my family and friends”.
This past summer, Graves was one of several Canadian QB’s invited to the Montreal Alouettes training camp in June. While Graves was unable to stick in the CFL with the Als, he was appreciative of the opportunity to learn from the best.
"I feel I progressed as a player and as a person,” says Graves. “Being around such great quarterbacks such as Anthony Calvillo, Adrian Macpherson, and Josh Neiswander and having the opportunity to watch them, see what they do and how they prepare was an immense help. The overall experience I feel will make me become a better player and a better leader in the upcoming season".
Kyle returns this season to upgrade his Geology degree after graduating from Acadia in the spring.
"When my playing days are over, I hope to head back to school, get my Masters in Geology to open doors in pursuit of a career in the field".
Acadia head coach Jeff Cummins on Kyle Graves:
“There is no doubt Kyle is the best quarterback I've had at Acadia because he's the total package. He brings to the game, size, speed, athleticism, competitiveness, intellect and a great arm.”
“Kyle is a special athlete, he believes he is the best player on the field and has shown that he can make everyone around him better.”
Getting to know Kyle Graves:
What brought you to Acadia? The atmosphere, the sense of community and family and my academic program.
What has been your best moment in a Acadia uniform so far? Winning an AUS championship last season and playing in the Uteck Bowl.
My biggest pet peeve is...? Talking to someone on the phone while they are talking to someone.
My dream vacation destination is...? New Zealand.
Tell us one thing that fans may not know about you? I have a nice jump shot in basketball.