By Melanie Campbell
James Baker knows how to deal with challenges — he overcomes them.
This is Baker’s second season as a member of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, after coming over from Carleton University, where he was the starting quarterback in only his first year playing university football.
But Carleton University cut its football program in March of 1999 after school president Richard Van Loon adopted a report from Carleton’s director of athletics, Drew Love, recommending the program be dropped.
The 22-year-old, now a backup quarterback for the Gee-Gees, proved his mettle Oct. 7, after replacing Gee-Gees starting quarterback Phill Côté for the fourth quarter in the Gee-Gees’ 45-0 victory over the Queen’s Golden Gaels.
Baker completed seven of eight passing attempts for a total of 59 yards.
He also threw his first touchdown as a Gee-Gee — an 18-yarder to Mike Di Battista.
“It was such a great feeling throwing my first touchdown as a Gee-Gee,” says Baker. “I really felt like I was part of the team when I threw that pass. I can honestly say it was the happiest moment of the last couple of years for me.”
Despite his role as backup to Côté, who won the Hec Crighton Award as the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union’s outstanding player last year, Baker has seen playing time in four of the Gee-Gees’ first six games this season.
What had started out as a great opportunity for Baker to fill the role as starting quarterback for the Carleton Ravens in his first year, quickly became a big disappointment for him.
“I was very disappointed after Carleton lost its football team,” says Baker. “I was assured when I started that there would be a team at Carleton throughout my time at the school. It was a pretty big knife in my back when they cut the program, and I was so down that I almost quit football.”
But Baker didn’t want to give up the sport he has been playing since he was 12.
“My dad was always watching football on television on the weekends when I was younger,” says Baker. “I remember going to the park to throw the ball around with my dad. I just thought this was really fun.”
Baker had given up a lot to play for the Carleton Ravens in the first place. Some universities in the United States had shown interest in acquiring Baker after he graduated from high school. He even travelled to Temple University in Philadelphia to assess its football program.
Baker ultimately decided to stay in Ottawa and play football for the Ravens, mainly because he thought he would get a better education at Carleton.
“James’ education has always been the prime concern for his father and I,” says Baker’s mother, Netelia Baker. “But James has also been very committed to his schooling. I don’t think people realize how much time these athletes put in at football practice and in their classes.”
Gee-Gees head coach Marcel Bellefeuille approached Baker after Carleton officially cut the team from its sports program. Bellefeuille says Baker made a strong impression on the Gee-Gees coaching staff in his minor league football days.
The Gee-Gees already had a quality starting quarterback in Côté, but Bellefeuille says Baker adds depth to the Gee-Gees’ lineup.
“James gives the team a different dimension than Phill, which is one of the nice things about having him,” says Bellefeuille. “James has certainly developed since coming here and he has played well for us so far this year. He’s going to play a big role down the stretch.”
The Gee-Gees are now preparing to do battle in the playoffs in November. Baker says his team is determined to do its best in its quest for the Vanier Cup, especially after bowing out to the Laval Rouge et Or last year.
“(The Gee-Gees) had a tough time last year because we thought we could do better in the playoffs than we did,” says Baker. “But we’re determined to win the Vanier Cup this year. The only thing that can stop us is ourselves.”
Côté won’t be returning to suit up for the Gee-Gees next year because he is completing his fifth and final year of CIAU eligibility.
Baker says he’s prepared to work hard on his skills so he can become the Gee-Gees’ starting quarterback next season.
“This year I’m really trying to perfect my skills as a quarterback,” says Baker. “I’ll have the leading chance to start as quarterback next year.”