Ever see a Swiss Army knife? It is multi-dimensional and just looks cool when you have to whip it out! Jeff Saxby is like a Swiss Army knife…versatile and just plain old tough!
A native of Nova Scotia, Saxby was a star player for the Memorial University Seahawks for several years. He was named Atlantic University Sports’ rookie of the year in 2000 and was considered one of the best players in Atlantic Canada throughout his career with Memorial. Today, he remains the men’s team’s all-time leading scoring. He also spent a season of semi-pro ball in Germany following the end of his MUN career.
Can you give us an introduction?
My name is Jeffrey Saxby. I am from Martine’s Brook, Nova Scotia. I grew up in Nova Scotia and decided to attend Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador to play basketball for the Memorial Seahawks (under Coach Glenn Taylor’s leadership) in 1999. I have an older brother (Jonathan) and an older sister (Jennifer) and a younger brother (James). Our parents live on through us (Hewat and Cynthia). After I graduated from MUN (Bachelor of Arts History/Economics) and finished my five years of eligibility, I went on a world tour. I moved to South Korea where I worked and rehabilitated my knees (or at least tried). I then went on to play a year of professional basketball in Schwelm, Germany. Afterwards, I moved to China and worked with the British Columbia Offshore High Schools for five years where I became Principal of the school after two years. I moved back to Newfoundland in 2012 to complete my Masters in Leadership Studies before moving to Medellin, Colombia for 2 years as Principal and Offshore Consultant of another British Columbia Offshore School. I moved back to NL with my partner in crime and a bun in the oven before attaining a Principal position at Henry Gordon Academy in Labrador where we spent two years and began raising two of our three children. We now live in Brownsdale, NL raising our three beautiful children (Theodore Hewat, Hugo Eugene, and Catherine Rose) and I am the Principal of Baccalieu Collegiate located in Old Perlican. Can Anyone else see the smoke coming from Jeff’s passport?!
Name, high school, are you still involved with basketball?
I attended Park View Education Centre in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. I successfully started a basketball program at my school in China. Unfortunately, since China, I’ve not had a chance to be involved until recently moving to my present situation. I am in my seventh year as principal of Baccalieu Collegiate (Grades 7-12) school where I dedicate time growing the sport and growing a culture of “learning through sport.” It’s my way of giving back to the sport/community that gave me so much.
What got you hooked on basketball?
I got hooked on basketball when I was in Grade 3 and I was asked to play on the Grade 4 team. From that time on, I became obsessed with the game of basketball.
Tell me about your high school gym. Big? Where did fans sit? How was the level of fan support?
I graduated from Centre Consolidated School (K-9) into PVEC which was a big basketball school. Jack Murphy helped build a strong basketball program there. Myself and three other players were selected for the team in Grade 10 which was a big thing back then. Most/all Grade 10’s played JV one year before having a chance to make the team, let alone play, their first year. The gym was big and sat 700-900 fans to one side of the floor. The fan support was wild. Games were broadcasted on local television. We won provincials in my Grade 12 year under our former Jr. High Coach, Bruce Josselyn.
Tell me who were some of the best teammates over the years?
Stuart Josselyn, Josh Langford, and Jamie Mason were my teammates in my early journey through basketball and evidently my foundation to team basketball. Jermaine Bruce, David O’Keefe, Greg Winter, Matt Chapman, Dion Langdon, Jeff Haines, John Devereux, Clarence Sutton, Peter Benoite, Mike Woods, Blair White, Shane Harte, Mike Ash, Andrew Sinclair, Jeremy Kielly, Erica Coultas, Janine Brown, Amy Dalton, and Kerri Highmore, (among others) were all considered teammates that played a significant part in accepting me and making me feel part of not only the University and the game but basketball NL. George English, Peter “Big Perm” Ingram, Robbie Hickey, Nigel Pennie, Mark Tobin, Shane Butland, and (among others) are my crew (When in doubt).
Discuss as many as you like given that I recognize how hard picking just a few can be! What was your high for points per game?! Season average?
In my Grade 11 year, I sort of came out guns blazing. For whatever reason the work that I put into the game exploded in results. I was moved to the wing and my game all came together. It was not uncommon for me to score 30-50 points. I might have averaged something around that for my Grade 11 and 12 years. My peakUniversity year was my third year before my knee surgeries and evidently the end of a wild ride. I believe I averaged around 24ppg in my third year at Memorial. I believe I had a game or two 40+. Shane Butland and I score 30+ each in a game vs. National Champion X-Men. I’m waiting for a SeaHawk to join me in the 2000 career points club.
Have you played any basketball in the summer or the fall seasonj camps? What is your most memorable basketball moment?!
I played a lot of basketball from Grade 3 on, until I could not play anymore. That’s all I really did. It’s the memorable moment of my early life – it was my life. Some of my fondest memories (that immediately come to mind) are early morning workouts with Dr. Bill Redden. We’d spend hours training for basketball without a ball. I remember my shooting workouts with John Deveraux in my first year Memorial. He changed my game. I remember going head to head with Carl English (and out scoring him) in a summer league game. He hit a half court jumper from half to win the game. I remember in high school playing pick-up games for money. We rolled into New Germany and played down 9-0 before I scored 11 straight. I remember winning every Division 1 tournament for decades with Extreme Pita (except one). I remember my father driving me to the ends of the earth to play basketball. I remember my folks' joy watching me play basketball. I remember before every practice in Germany, every teammate would exchange a kind greeting with each other and look each other in the eye. This would ensure our positive relationships were never lost in translation.
Where have you traveled for basketball? Who is the most difficult player you guarded? What advice would you give to young NL ball players that you have learned along the way Just for fun?!
I’ve traveled a lot for basketball. Basketball and education were my tickets to see the world. Carl English is the toughest player I’ve ever had to guard. My advice for any NL player who wants to reach new heights in the game of basketball is to be consistent and make it a part of your life three times a day (strength & conditioning, skills, and play) – Trust the process. The key to make this happen is to use the whole day - do the math, you have to wake up early. The other part to that is set your goals high, like NBA high. Verbalize your goals, set them high early and often so you can get used to proving the naysayers wrong. Use the negative in the world to your advantage. A couple of quotes to live by:
“No matter how hard you train, Somebody will train harder. No matter how hard you run, Somebody will run harder. No matter how much you want it, Somebody will want it more. I am Somebody.” – Steve Prefontaine.
“Buy the ticket, take the ride.”
Who is your favourite NBA player? NBA team?
My favourite NBA player of all time is Patrick Ewing. He was a warrior! My favourite NBA team is the New York Knicks. I’ve been a loyal fan for almost three decades – let’s go Jump on the bandwagon!
Thanks again for doing the blog with me and sharing your story to not only NL but the world! I hope you enjoyed the process and that our paths cross again in the future.
I could not resist including this one!!! She don’t like what Daddy is saying!!!
Comments