On the 23rd of April 2022, members of Edinburgh Napier's American Football team lined up against their predecessors in the Edinburgh Napier Knights’ Students vs Old Boys match. Alumni won the game 20 - 8!
Take time to get to know some of the players who represented the 'Old Boys'!
Rory Brown-Kerr
MSc Advanced Materials Engineering
Position: DB
What did you enjoy most about playing American Football at 麻豆社区?
It's no exaggeration to say that joining the Knights was a key milestone in my life. It made me a far more confident person in life, and it helped me discover a love for strength training. Some of the connections I made with fellow players and coaches at the Knights have stayed very strong despite graduating from the team 7 years ago. I consider many of those connections to be among my closest friends who I have travelled long distances to meet again in the years since my departure from the team.
Do you still play?
I do not currently play, however I played a couple of seasons with the East Kilbride Pirates after finishing my time with the Knights. Eventually a series of injuries forced me into hanging up my pads in 2019. I still miss playing to this day!
What have you been up to since graduating?
Since graduating, I got into weightlifting and then powerlifting. I have competed in both and it certainly goes some way to filling the void that was created when I stopped playing with the Knights! Other than that, I am currently living in Glasgow and working towards obtaining a doctorate in engineering with the University of Strathclyde.
Felix Leo
International semester
Position: Offensive lineman / Tight End
What did you enjoy most about playing American Football at 麻豆社区?
The culture of students coming together, playing and training as a team. In the real world you rarely have such a homogenic group of football players on a football field. The coach crew was phenomenal and having position coaches for almost every position was of high value for myself.
Do you still play?
Yes. 2022 GFL2 Assindia Cardinals - Germany 2017 and 2021 Regional Iserlohn Titans - Germany.
What have you been up to since graduating?
I've founded a company specialising in American Sports, especially American Football, with Jerseys, Equipment and Merchandise of your favourite NCAA teams. My daytime job is Marketing and Communication Manager for an IT company.
Nathan Lorang
BSc(Hons) Animal Biology
Position: Center / LS
What did you enjoy most about playing American Football at 麻豆社区?
The atmosphere of the team. Even if I was there for only one year, I felt immediately included in the team. The quality of the coaching staff and infrastructures were also enjoyable.
Do you still play?
I still play as Oline for the Devils of Cenon (FRANCE).
What have you been up to since graduating?
Since graduating from Napier, I have done a Masters degree in France at Université Paul Sabatier and I am now working in renewable energies development. During my master’s degree I stopped playing football due to an injury, followed by Covid-19 outbreak.
Ryan Strachan
BSc(Hons) Psychology
MA Journalism
Position: Linebacker / Running Back
What did you enjoy most about playing American Football at 麻豆社区?
The camaraderie with team mates, making good friendships that still last and making big plays.
Do you still play?
No.
What have you been up to since graduating?
I’ve been working towards progressing my professional career. I’ve also had a family and I’ve played American football and rugby.
Adam Rendall
BA(Hons) Criminology
Position: Running back
What did you enjoy most about playing American Football at 麻豆社区?
I really enjoyed getting outside, distracting myself from my studies and playing ball with a great bunch of team mates who were always encouraging and great to be around.
Do you still play?
I don't play anymore but played for Edinburgh Wolves in the summers while I was at university.
What have you been up to since graduating?
Not long after graduating I moved to Italy and travelled around Europe for a while but I'm now back living in Edinburgh and working in higher and further education policy in Scottish Government, focusing on issues such as equality and student wellbeing.
Andrew Maciver
BSc(Hons) Sports science and coaching
Position: QB, corner, RB
What did you enjoy most about playing American Football at 麻豆社区?
The team spirit especially in tougher seasons and the mental toughness it built when trying to achieve as a group in a tough sport to play. Yes I love the sport but I never just played for a love of it- it’s the team that makes it worthwhile.
Do you still play?
I carried on playing after university for East Kilbride Pirates. I've hung up the boots but I plan to rock up to a game in Tbilisi and play my last game/walk off into the sunset with one of best pals with whom started playing when I was 16.
What have you been up to since graduating?
Well sports science leads straight into a career in pensions so I've been with Scottish widows for work.
Joe Hough
BEng(Hons) Civil Engineering
Position: QB & WR
What did you enjoy most about playing American Football at 麻豆社区?
Napier Knights was more than just a sport team at university. It was one big family and that ethos was optimised by head coach Pete Laird. He would do anything and everything for the team and was always willing to help you, whether it was something personal or university related.
Do you still play?
No.
What have you been up to since graduating?
Working full time as civil engineer in Glasgow on the University of Glasgow campus redevelopment.
Mac Jerome
BA (Hons) Business Management
Linebacker
What did you enjoy most about playing American Football at Edinburgh Napier?
I loved the ability to play a sport that I had grown up watching but even more than that I loved the true friends and connections that I made whilst playing (once a knight, always a knight). In addition to this the skills that I learned from my time on the committee have been very influential to my development
Do you still play?
I have now returned to playing rugby for North Berwick Rugby Club
What have you been up to since graduating?
Working
Ganiyu Madoti
MBA Leadership Practice
DB
What did you enjoy most about playing American Football at 麻豆社区?
I enjoyed the team spirit and affection I received from the team
Do you still play?
No
What have you been up to since graduating?
I’m trying to get a Tier 2 job