Brotherhood, Adversity, and the A: Logan McNamee reflects on his Acadia experience

For Logan McNamee, the dream of becoming an Acadia Axeman started back in 2017 when he first stepped onto Raymond Field as a high school player representing New Brunswick. That early exposure planted the seed for what would become a life-changing journey. Now, as he graduates from Acadia University, McNamee looks back on a football career shaped by family, adversity, and unforgettable moments—including sharing the field and even a touchdown with his younger brother. From setbacks to triumphs, his time in Wolfville has left a lasting mark on who he is, and he leaves knowing Acadia will always feel like home.

Back in 2017, I had the opportunity to play in a football tournament at Acadia University as a member of the New Brunswick provincial team.

Little did I know at the time that this experience would spark a dream that would eventually come true. From that moment on, I set my sights on joining the Acadia Axemen football program.

After all, if you’ve ever been to Wolfville or the Acadia campus, you know it’s a special place.

Fast forward to today, and I’m now in my final year as a student-athlete here at Acadia. As I reflect on my time here, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the experiences and memories I’ve made both on and off the field.

From the highs of big wins to the lows of tough losses, injuries, and moments where I had to dig deep, football at Acadia has helped define who I am.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

THE RECRUITING PROCESS

Growing up, I was always involved in sports.

My dad is a high school football coach, and my family is heavily invested in the game, so naturally, I fell in love with football from a young age.

I played in high school, and one of my fondest memories came when my brother Connor and I were both on the field together. I was a twelfth grader, and he was tenth, but we both started the game against Leo Hayes.

We won that game, and it was awesome to share that experience with my brother. Little did I know back then that we’d be sharing the field together again at Acadia.

But back to the recruiting process.

I played in a tournament at Acadia, and I remember thinking, “Wow, this is a fantastic campus.”

That was in 2017, and I was still in high school at that point, but I started to dream about playing for the Axemen.

The program, the community, the people — everything about Acadia spoke to me, and I knew it was where I was meant to be.

I committed to Acadia in 2020 and was ready to take the field for the upcoming season.

However, due to COVID-19, the season was canceled. It was a challenging time, but it only made me more determined to put on that Axemen jersey and represent this incredible community.

WHAT ACADIA HAS MEANT TO ME

Being a varsity athlete at Acadia has shaped me in ways I never fully realized until I stepped away from the game.

As a student, it taught me how to manage my time like no other. Juggling early lifts, practices, film sessions, and travel with assignments and exams forced me to stay disciplined and organized. I couldn’t slack off in the classroom because I had teammates counting on me to stay eligible and perform.

But more than that, it shaped me as a person.

Football taught me resilience. Being part of a team for that long builds character. You learn how to lead, how to follow, how to hold others accountable and be held accountable yourself. It gave me confidence, it grounded me, and it gave me a second family.

At the end of the day, football at Acadia wasn’t just something I did; it helped define who I am.

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

During my time at Acadia, I faced my fair share of challenges, and injuries were certainly one of them.

In the 2022 season, I started with a strong performance in week one against Bishop’s, reflecting the hard work I put in during the offseason.

However, the following week at practice, I suffered a major concussion that sidelined me for the next two weeks. It was frustrating because injuries come out of the blue and mess up the plan you have for yourself and your season.

During this specific injury and all the others I had during my career, I always reminded myself to be where my feet are and, rather than being frustrated, focus on the things I need to do in the short term to get back to where I want to be.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

When I think back on my time as a student-athlete at Acadia, there are so many great memories that come to mind.

But if I had to pick one, it would be catching a touchdown pass from my brother, Connor, during a game against Bishop’s in the 2024 season.

Sharing the field with my brother and making a big play like that was a moment I’ll cherish forever.

The trips, spending time with my teammates around the facility, and putting in work year-round all stand out to me as the best times of my life, and I hope I can find those again as I transition to a new chapter in my life.

THE ACADIA COMMUNITY

The Acadia community played a massive role in my journey and is a big part of the reason I came to Acadia during the recruiting process. Sitting in the stands during my visit in 2019, I could feel how tight-knit the Acadia community is and how great of an environment it is.

I had an incredible experience here, and now that I’ve graduated, I hope to stay connected to Acadia and my team by traveling to Wolfville to watch games when I can, staying in contact with my teammates on social media, and attending alumni events.

It goes without saying that none of it would have been possible without the staff doing what they do behind the scenes. Playing on Raymond Field in front of the fans, alumni, and staff was the best feeling in the world.

It’s a feeling I’ll never forget.