The saying definitely holds true for Colin Kubinec: Time does fly when you are having fun! Now in his fifth year of eligibility, it has hard to believe it is already the final year of what has been a rewarding journey for the Briercrest Clippers’ veteran left side.

Kubinec grew up in Trochu, AB, where he was born into an athletic family, as his dad, Kevin, played basketball for Red Deer College and his mom, Eleanor, played volleyball there as well. Colin had the privilege of having his dad as his high school basketball coach and says that a personal highlight was winning zones in grade 12 while playing for his dad.   

A life-changing decision
After graduating from high school, Colin followed in the footsteps of his parents and headed off to RDC to start on a kinesiology degree, but was unable to play sports because of an injury. His time there only lasted one year, however, as he felt the call to Briercrest where he could combine two of his greatest passions: “To play volleyball and study the Bible.”

Kubinec notes that the influence of his high school coach was critical in his decision.

“Clayton Lobe, my volleyball coach in grade 12, got me thinking about playing college sports and is the reason I got into it again after taking a year off after high school with a knee injury.”

Coming to Briercrest was a decision he would never regret.

“I love the daily opportunities I receive to both learn and play!”, said Kubinec. “Studying God’s Word and other interesting things throughout the day, then being able to play a sport I really enjoy with guys I’ve really grown to like and love…how can it get much sweeter?!”

The Briercrest experience has been nothing short of amazing for Kubinec since first coming to campus in the fall of 2005. To say that he has excelled as a student-athlete would be an understatement.

His college volleyball career is highlighted by a trip to the CCAA National Championships in 2007-08 and also being ranked as the top team in Canada during October and November of this season. His undergraduate academic career culminated in being chosen as class Valedictorian when he graduated with his BA last spring, before moving into graduate studies this fall.

Kubinec says playing for Coach Nigel Mullan is what has made volleyball such a great experience.

“He has poured a lot of time and energy into me over five years”, said the 6’ 4 outside hitter. “He has always pushed me to be better in such a way that embodies his own team philosophy: ‘positively intense.’ His belief and patience with me, along with the technical wisdom he has acquired, have made my college sports career an encouraging and rewarding journey.”

Walking the talk
Outside of volleyball, Kubinec loves the community he is a part of here.

“I really enjoy being able to have deep discussions with other people of like mind and similar interests and to walk beside these people as we seek to grow together to become more like Christ.”

Kubinec says that his favorite Scripture verse is where Jesus says in Matthew 22: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’“

This is something you see him doing on a daily basis as he puts others first and demonstrates God’s love in practical ways around the Briercrest campus. This May, Kubinec will also be heading to Haiti on a missions trip with some other Briercrest athletes to do some practical work in helping people there and also putting on sports camps for kids.

Rounding out his resume as Briercrest’s most eligible bachelor, Kubinec not only loves sports of all kinds but is also really enjoying learning to play guitar this year.

Until Mrs. Right comes along, Kubinec is working on his MA in Leadership and Management and enjoying the final chapter of his college volleyball career as a key component of one of the top teams in the CCAA, saying, “It is awesome to be a part of the success this year. Knowing we have a legitimate opportunity to end up on top in the country!”