During the month of June 2016, the Carleton men’s soccer team welcomed Odaine Demar as the newest recruit, while promoting Kwesi Loney to head coach.
After getting defeated by the Ryerson Rams in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) quarterfinals this past season, the Ravens looked to improve on their record of 8-2-6. The team started by announcing a new player recruit, Demar, who previously played for Concordia University and the Jamaican national team.
Demar was diagnosed with pericarditis, a chronic heart problem, during a soccer match in 2013, and said he was not sure about his ability to play soccer at a competitive level.
“Halfway through the game, my heart just stopped beating,” Demar said. “I fell to the ground and I couldn’t breathe for a good ten-15 seconds.”
While he was cleared to play by medical professionals, Demar said he understands that for him, intense physical activity is still a hazardous and possibly life-threatening risk. Even then, Demar said he refuses to stop playing the game he loves.
“I know my limits,” Demar said. “And even if I do push past my limits, as stupid as it sounds, what better way to die than on a soccer field.”
Demar has played the game across the world, spending time in Germany with lower division teams SG Wattenscheid 09 and FC Schewinfurt 05. He also played in Sweden for the team Gamla Upsala SK.
Demar said the team that left the biggest influence on him, however, was the Southern West Virginia King’s Warriors.
“The coach there was amazing, he took time out of his day to really get to know the players individually.” Demar said. “He was strict but not in a way that made you dislike him. He made standards and pushed us to reach them.”
When asked why he chose to come to Carleton at this stage in his career, Demar responded by praising the program and coaches.
“I saw the progress they made, what they were able to do as a team, and I wanted to come here and be a part of it.” Demar said. “My only goal is to bring a championship to Carleton, they fell short when they needed it last year, and I’m hoping I can change that.”
The Ravens men’s soccer team also announced that Sandy Mackie, who was the previous head coach and had been with the team for 24 years, would be stepping down as head coach for more of a recruitment and community outreach role.
“Mackie has done a fantastic job in making the team what it is today.” Demar said
Taking over as head coach will be Kwesi Loney, who has been an assistant coach for the team the past six years.
Loney, who has not only coached for the Ravens but played for the team as well, was captain of the Ravens squad from 2000-2002, and was named an All-Canadian in his graduating year, according to the Ravens website.
After his playing days, Loney went on to start a successful coaching career in Ottawa, working with the Ottawa Fury and Algonquin College, as well as Carleton University. He has been named both the Ontario College Athletic Association Coach of the Year and the Canadian College Athletic Association Coach of the Year.
“Loney is a step in the right direction for this team,” Demar said. “He knows the sport as well as anyone, and he knows the city.”
The Ravens will kick off their 2016-17 season on Aug. 26 at Trent University.
