Rooted in the Valley: Schurman’s Acadia soccer story comes full circle

With convocation just around the corner, Noah Schurman is taking time to reflect—not on a walk across the stage, but on the final whistle of his varsity soccer career. Though he’s currently studying education and won’t be graduating from his second degree this May, the end of his final season with the Axemen has marked a major milestone. For Schurman, a proud hometown player from the Annapolis Valley, hanging up his Acadia jersey has brought a wave of gratitude, memories, and pride for the years spent representing the school and community that shaped him.

There’s something special about being a hometown kid.

I grew up in this area, so I know that the Annapolis Valley is one of the best places in Canada.

There’s a strong sense of community and identity here, and I’m proud to call this place home.

That’s why it was a simple decision to attend Acadia University.

When I was being recruited, I knew I wanted to be close to home, and there was no better place than Acadia.

To have the opportunity to represent the hometown university on the field I grew up playing on was a dream come true.

The decision to focus on soccer

I first got into soccer at a very young age.

My father grew up playing the game and hockey as well, and as the biggest role model in my life, I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

He coached my teams growing up from a young age of four until about twelve, when I finally had a university player take over for my Valley United soccer team.

My childhood was very busy, running from soccer to hockey, and vice versa.

Soccer played a major role in my life.

The first big decision I had to make in my life at the young age of 11 was whether I wanted to continue with soccer or hockey, which is a hard decision at the age of 11.

But of course, I chose soccer.

Looking back, I do not regret my decision one bit, but I do wish I could have played both sports longer into my high school years.

An opportunity to join the Axemen

My recruiting process was very simple because I knew the soccer coach at the time, Finley McRae, and I had played for him for a year prior.

Acadia was close to home, so I knew it was where I wanted to go.

Then I took a meeting with Scott Landry in the kinesiology department and knew that it was the right fit for me.

Acadia felt like home.

What Acadia means to me

My first season with the Axemen was cancelled due to COVID, but I’ll never forget the first game I played here.

I grew up volunteering as the ball boy for games like these, and to finally make it and be on the field was a different experience.

It was a surreal moment for me.

Being on the other side of the pitch, it was everything I expected and more.

As a player, playing under the lights on a Friday night, there is no better feeling in the world.

A few nerves, but as soon as the ref blows the whistle to start the game, there is nothing else that matters. Not school, nothing. Just the game in front of you.

For 90 minutes, I leave everything on the field, and because the season is so short, each game is that much more meaningful.

Each time and each game is a chance to prove yourself and play for the badge on your chest.

I never took that for granted.

I always made sure I left everything on the field and led by example.

It was such a privilege to be a part of this team, and I wanted to honour the school and community every time I stepped on the field.

Memories

I have so many memorable moments from my time with the Axemen.

Traveling with the team as close as we all are is something that is unmatched.

This past year, we got the chance to travel and play in Montreal against McGill and Concordia, which was game-changing to see that we were right there, losing by one goal and tying the other game.

I also loved playing in front of the home crowd.

Each and every game, I had tons of family and friends come out to support me and my success, which made my time at Acadia that much more memorable.

I will never forget the fans.

Living out that dream of playing for my hometown school in front of my hometown crowd was one of the best experiences of my life.

And now that my time as a student-athlete is over, I can look back on this experience with fond memories and a full heart.