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Sun Spots: Jeff Schieman

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 11/14/14, 1:15PM PST

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He played five seasons from 1998-2002

Over the course of the 33 years of the Okanagan Sun, a number of great receivers have come through the program.  One of them is Jeff Schieman who played five years for the Sun from 1998-2002.

“He was such a coachable player,” said former Head Coach Jay Christensen.  “He had a great personality when he was with our football club, always smiling and joking around.  I remember him being a big, strong receiver for us.”

Throughout his five years, the Kamloops native caught 120 passes for 2,348 yards and 33 touchdowns, averaging 19.6 yards a catch.  His best year was his last, hauling in 47 passes and collecting 1,002 yards and 10 majors.  As a matter of fact, one of his best memories was breaking his coach’s all-time receiving record, a perfect way to end his junior football career.

He was named an All-Canadian in 2002, his final year.  He was also a two-time BCFC All-Star in 2001 and 2002, and finished his career as the team’s all-time leading receiver.

The highlight of his career was clearly winning the Canadian Bowl in 2000 at the Apple Bowl, beating the Saskatoon Hilltops 36-28.

“Playing in the Canadian Bowl in front of our home crowd was one of the most thrilling games I've ever played in,” says Schieman. “What made it most special was the whole season leading up to that game, with epic battles against our rivals Victoria and Surrey. Something else that made that season and winning the Canadian Bowl so special was doing it while playing beside my brother Ryan.”

Following his five years with the Sun receiving passes from the likes of Zack Silverman, Johnathan Spencer and Ryan Perverseff, Schieman received a scholarship to play at the University of Saskatchewan for three seasons.    After losing a couple of heartbreaking Vanier Cups by a combined seven points (2004-2005), Schieman had a brief try out with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers but nothing ever materialized.

With all the accolades and accomplishments, Schieman says he wouldn’t trade places with any of the current Sun receivers and do it all over again.  “The talented players and coaches that surrounded the team at that time made my experience special.”

Schieman not only put pride in making big catches, but also laying the big block and working in the team frame of thinking, he says “it's not just about making the catch but doing the little things on the field to help the team win.”

Following his experience with the Huskies and Bombers, he returned home to Kamloops to settle down and start a family with his wife and now two kids.  He and his family still reside in Kamloops.

The 2015 season of the Sun marks the 15th anniversary of the 2000 Canadian Bowl.