From the Huronia Stallions to two high schools and then two universities, Eric Schon has been able to forge a solid path forward in football while developing a base for a future in business.
“Football has meant everything to me. It’s more than just something I do as a hobby… it’s given me everything. It’s allowed me to get one of the best educations in the world. It’s allowed me to meet some of my best friends,” says Schon who hails from the Barrie area but has been calling communities in the United States home for several years.
Schon recalls playing competitively with the Barrie-area Huronia Stallions starting at age nine or 10, diligently working on his skills several times per week with Martino Di Sabatino as head coach — an experience he “highly recommends” to youths considering the sport.
After playing with St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School for a year Schon knew he wanted to pursue football competitively on the college level. So, with the help of his family, Schon finished high school in the United States at Saint Francis High School in Buffalo, New York.
“Coming out of Saint Francis I really wanted to prioritize academics,” says Schon. “I know what was the most important to me and my family was getting a degree from a school that I wouldn’t be able to get into or have access to really, without football.”
That decision led the offensive lineman to the College of the Holy Cross, which Schon describes as a small Catholic institution about an hour outside of Boston. There he had a “unbelievable” experience, winning the conference four years in a row and earning a degree in accounting.
Again, with a focus on academics but continuing on with football, Schon, now 22, has decided to pursue a master’s degree in management studies at Duke University’s business school.
“It’s a great environment, they have a great culture here, everyone bonds really well and I’ve had opportunities to already meet some amazing and really talented people who are now teammates of mine and now I’m glad to be able to call them friends,” says Schon, who adds he’s remained in good health and hasn’t suffered anything more serious than bumps and bruises during his decade-plus in football.
Playing competitively at the college level presents challenges which has allowed him to learn about himself and grow as a person, he explains. He considers himself fortunate to be able to continue playing while getting two degrees and surround himself with people he believes will continue to be part of his life as he looks forward to major milestones beyond his school career.
Duke’s team is comprised of both graduate and undergraduate students, so there’s a wide age range from 18 to 23 years old.
On the academics’ front, while the accounting degree is bound to serve him well in business, Schon has scratched it off his list of possible professions after working at an accounting job last summer. He figures he’s more likely leaning more toward a future in investment banking or private equity and live in the United States as he launches his post-football career.
His family, meanwhile, remains in the Innisfil home in which Schon was raised and his sister, one year his junior, is in teacher’s college at Brock University.
“I don’t think they ever missed a single game of mine in the past eight years,” he says, adding that their support has been instrumental to his success.
He does have a chance to come home a couple of times per year to be with his family and play with his dogs.
His connection with the Huronia Stallions, meanwhile, remains strong. Martino, director of football operation for the Stallions, has been following Schon’s career.
“When he first started he was the raw kid with potential but what you saw in him was dedication,” recalls Martino. “Playing with the Stallions opened up his scope… to the next level beyond the Stallions.
“He was always there and he was committed… and we were heart broken when he didn’t come back, he went to the next level… he took that and ran with it, with strong family support, and I’ve been following his career ever since.”
About 300 children are currently involved in the local football club. Over the years Martino figures about 200 Stallions have moved onto playing at the university and professional levels. Many former players also return to the Stallions as coaches.
Schon, who enjoys golfing in his down time, has already accepted a job offer to work at Deloitte in Boston when he finishes school after one year.
“I’m very blessed and I’m very grateful to be in the opportunity to be in this position,” he says. “I’m very, very glad to be here.”
