AUS Student-Athlete
Spotlight:
Keith Wynn
"A Win-Wynn Situation"
By Lauren Martin
 Keith Wynn, a Tommies fourth-year defensemen, is an exemplar
conference student-athlete who strives to achieve greatness on the ice and in the
classroom. He has shown great leadership capabilities and has proven that he can
contribute to his community and team in more ways than one.
 Wynn was raised in Orleans, Ontario where he grew up in a family
with two special needs sisters. His sisters inspired him to help others, particularly
those with mental or physical handicaps. With a eventful past, Wynn came to the Tommies by
way of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he spent multiple seasons with the
Mississauga Ice Dogs, Windsor Spitfires and Ottawa 67's; yet it was when he landed on St.
Thomas territory that Keith's role as a compassionate leader, mentor and role model really
came into play...
While playing with the Tommies, Wynn learned to juggle
his athletic and academic schedules and found time to get involved with Best Buddies, a
program ran primarily a by STU students, which offers mentorship programs to people with
special needs.
When Wynn arrived in Fredericton, he registered with the
Best Buddies Organization and encouraged his fellow teammates to do the same. This is
where Keith and his buddy Kyle not only met, but since have become a fixture and
inspirational duo around the STU community.
Almost instantly after meeting, hockey became a topic of
discussion for Wynn and Kyle. It was when Kyle was asked to join the Tommies training
staff their relationship truly blossomed.
With his new role with the St. Thomas Tommies, Kyle has
become one of the most popular members of the program; to the extent that the players
cheer upon his arrival each day. As hockey is a passion for both Keith and Kyle, Kyle
often reminds the team how well his beloved Montreal Canadiens are doing in the NHL
standings. With his hands raised straight in the air, he is a constant reminder to fellow
athletes of how much fun being a part of a team really is. Throughout the ups and downs of
a season, Kyle keeps the Tommies level-headed, continuously maintaining a positive
attitude and raising everyone's spirits.
Keith maintains a cherished friendship with Kyle. The
Best Buddies organization coordinates events once a month and the activities are usually
themed based on the season from Halloween and Christmas through to Easter. The organizers
are very good at ensuring that the activities are fun for everyone involved and create an
enjoyable atmosphere.
A fond memory of a Big Buddy event can very easily be
recalled:
On one occasion Keith, along with Tommie teammate Jason
Cassidy, made quite the impression at a Best Buddy Halloween fashion show. The athletes
showed up in rather bizarre homemade outfits, fully prepared to walk the runway. They soon
came to realize that the costumes would be provided by the organizing committee... a
hilarious yet priceless moment that Keith, Kyle and whoever else witnessed that night,
will never forget.
Although Wynn's involvement with Best Buddies is coming
to an end, he has no doubt that the program will continue to grow within the generous St.
Thomas community due to the leadership, enthusiasm, and integrity of the student-athletes,
mentors and organizers.
Wynn sums up his great experience in the AUS conference
in a heartening way...
"Coming to the AUS, helped me develop not only as a
student-athlete, but also provided me opportunities to give back to the communities that
have treated me so well."
Wynn has left a legacy of giving and continues to
encourage others to contribute to their community and maintain a passion for sport, school
and community involvement.
*******************
Lauren Martin is a third year public relations
student at Mount Saint Vincent University and is currently completing her co-op work term
as a Public Relations Intern with Atlantic University Sport. Suggestions for future
student-athlete spotlight columns can be made by contacting Lauren at lmartin@atlanticuniversitysport.com.
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