During his time as a Raven, Andrew Latty has accomplished many things both as a striker for the men’s soccer team and as a member of the Carleton community.
Latty was selected as the recipient of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East men’s soccer 2013 Community Service Award on Oct. 30 for his “outstanding and tireless work in the community,” according to the organization’s website.
Latty, who recently completed his bachelor of arts degree with a major in law and a concentration in business law, has been involved in multiple initiatives throughout the city.
One of the community events he helps organize and co-ordinate is an annual basketball tournament held at his former elementary school, Sawmill Creek.
He also works with the Jamaican Youth Foundation where they teach kids how to play soccer.
Another program he organizes is called Ravens Care.
“Basically it’s a program running out of the community centre and the idea is to help kids improve their literacy for those who need help with it, give kids a place to play after school for a couple of hours, as well as just a place to [gather] people who need somebody to talk to,” Latty said.
The service award is a major recognition in regards to athletes in the community and how they’re involved.
Latty said it is probably the best award he has received in his Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) career.
“It’s one of the most important because I’m helping children succeed and hopefully grow into better individuals,” Latty said.
He said he hopes it will encourage these kids to pay it forward and give back to their communities in the future.
Along with the community service award, Latty was named to the OUA East men’s soccer first all-star team, having scored eight goals in 14 games.
In the 2012 season, he was named the OUA East MVP in addition to scoring 17 goals, which tied him for first place in OUA scoring.
“It was just a breakout year,” he said. “I’m surrounded by coaches who put me in a great position to succeed. A lot of the plays and dynamic of the team [are successful because] we all knew our roles and exactly what to do.”
The head coach of the Ravens men’s soccer team, Sandy Mackie, said Latty brought maturity to the team.
One of the most important things he brought to the field, however, was his ability to score goals.
“I’m a scorer,” Latty said. “My job was to score goals.”
Latty is in his third year of CIS eligibility, meaning he can still technically play for two more seasons.
“If I don’t come back and pursue post-grad, this will be it,” he said, though he said he is considering returning to Carleton as a master’s in business student.
“It would be nice to come back and play, but sometimes you have to pursue your own adventures and goals. I have a few things I’m interested in doing outside of school,” he said.
Though he didn’t get to go to the championship this season, he has certainly made a name for himself during his time at Carleton in more than one capacity.
“Andrew well deserves that [community service] award,” Mackie said. “He’s set a standard, not just on the soccer team but for other students as well.”
