When choosing a university, Emerson Prior was looking to join not only a great academic program, but also a dynamic varsity team. He found both at Trent.

“I chose Trent for the reputable Nursing program but also because I happened to train with the Trent rugby team during the spring training camp of March 2016. While spending time on campus, I fell in love with the culture that Trent – and especially Trent rugby, offers,” Mr. Prior says. 

Mr. Prior is now not only a Trent Nursing student, and an Excalibur athlete, he is also a celebrated Team Canada rugby athlete. Born and raised in Gananoque, Ontario, Mr. Emerson first started playing rugby five years ago while in high school, and through the hard work and determination that he brings to the pitch at Trent, he has managed to climb to the level of Team Canada’s U-19 rugby team – no small feat for a full-time student.

“Balancing athletics with academics in university can be challenging,” he explains, however, Mr. Prior goes on to say that when working with close friends and other student athletes, “the workload begins to get easier and if you talk to your professors early about your commitment to your sport, I’ve found that they are happy to help out in any way they can.”

Mr. Prior uses Trent University’s state-of-the-art campus training facilities for all of his national team training and for his preparation for the Trent rugby team season, saying “the training facilities at Trent are great, the gym is always busy and it’s encouraging to see other athletes and students working hard.”

In the past year, Mr. Prior has traveled the world with Team Canada, competing against the all-American squad in San Diego, California in December 2016, then travelling to Wales in April 2017, where he played a three game series vs England, Wales and Italy – all tier one nations.

Trent University prides itself on providing an outstanding personal and interactive learning environment. This story is part of the Meet a Trent Student series, which highlights our many student success stories and the numerous dynamic programs offered at Trent.