In our "Prolific Personalities" series, we take a look at how our student-athletes are putting a positive spin on the year that's been, delving into the good that has come during an unprecedented time.  
 
Owen Cumming, a 20-year-old political science junior from Toronto, has converted the negative of the coronavirus into a positive and looks forward to sunnier days as the world slowly gets back on track from the hazy mists of a global pandemic.
 
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound scrumhalf was recently elected co-president of the McGill University Rugby Football Club, as it approaches its 150th year of operation since being founded two turns of the century ago, back in 1872.
 
"Rugby's been a huge part of my life here, beside the academic side," says Cumming, who was also re-elected for a second term as vice-president (communications) of the McGill Varsity Council, a leadership group of volunteers that serves the needs of the campus's 30 intercollegiate teams and offers charitable assistance for worthy causes in the community.

"I have played on a lot of rugby teams and never had one quite like McGill's. I feel very wanted and supported by my teammates and the coaching staff. I've enjoyed being part of the team executive, keeping the players together as much as we can during COVID and working with our coaches and alumni. Hopefully, we can get things going again in September."
 
The eldest of three siblings, Cumming is a second generation McGillian following in the footsteps of his mother Hillary, who attended the Montreal-based institution. His father, Andrew, graduated with degrees from both, University of Toronto and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Recruited by several U.S. colleges, McGill and other east coast universities weren't really on his radar when he was being educated at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, B.C.
 
"I ended up visiting Montreal in the dead of winter and walked through the campus. I kind of just got this feeling that I would really like the school and the city. I contacted rugby coach Ian Baillie, met some of the players and found them to be very genuine."
 
In addition to majoring in "Poli-Sci", Cumming is also working on a minor in communications and Canadian studies.
 
"I've enjoyed the program," he says. "It's high level and I love what I am learning. I don't really see myself going into politics but I feel like the degree has something to offer, to become a good writer and learn how to be analytical. With another three semesters to go before graduating, I have no real plans for the future yet but probably would end up in the world of business communications and public relations sector."
 
He has put that background to good use for his roles on the executive of the team and the Varsity Council.
 
"As soon as we got the news that the 2020 season would be canceled, our team leadership group got together and began thinking how we would not let this setback slow the momentum that the rugby program had been experiencing for the past five years. We had a large barrier to get past and decided that our goal would be to keep the guys together as much as possible. We had monthly Zoom meetings and decided to focus on philanthropy. No matter where the guys were (doing online studies) in the world, we could all get together and find a way to collect some funds for good causes."
 
The rugby squad ended up raising about $5,000 for St. Jude's Hospital (RBC Race for the Cure) and over $7,000 for the Movember campaign in support of prostate cancer. They also worked with local on-campus groups like Meals for Milton Park, a food drive for the needy.
 
"The philanthropy aspect has always been a pillar for us," says Cumming. "With COVID, we all felt fortunate that every player on our team had a roof over his head and that we were able to continue with our studies. So, we really wanted to help make life a little better for others."
 
The men's rugby team, a partly self-financed program, also ended up leading all McGill varsity squads by generating about $62,000 (including matching grants) for their own budget as part of McGill24, the University's one-day fundraising campaign in March.
 
"We were hesitant with the pandemic and the economic difficulties but pushed on and our alumni were phenomenal in backing us. It was an awesome collective strength for the program."
 
For the future, he indicates that his group is looking at a few other projects, including a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the rugby club.
 
"We're hoping to go on an overseas tour to play some high-quality rugby and to make the Covo Cup game against Harvard as big as possible. We want to host them again this fall to help celebrate McGill's bicentennial, hopefully on Homecoming weekend, COVID permitting."
 
As for his work with the Varsity Council, he notes that there are some challenges in the works.
 
"I really looked at McGill Athletics and felt that I had something to offer in the communications side of things and wanted to promote all the varsity teams. We are striving to make McGill as much of a sporting school as possible among the students. Getting more of them in the stands and out to games is something that I'm very committed to. I've always been a fan of going to a school that has a lot of pride for its sports teams. I definitely want to enhance that."
 
Despite a challenging year with no rugby and online learning, Cumming maintains a positive outlook.
 
"The hard thing is that it's so different for everyone but I feel very lucky as a student just being able to continue my studies through the pandemic. I'm very grateful to my professors for what they have done to make online learning as digestible and interesting as possible. It's not perfect and I don't want to make it sound like it is my favourite thing in the world. It's definitely been tough to sit in my apartment all day in front of the computer and doing all my schoolwork from there.
 
"And not having the ability to go out on a practice field to throw the ball around with the guys and make a few tackles, like I usually do. It was a test and I feel like I have made it through fairly well. But it was an experience to say the least and I'm pretty proud to say that I made it through with my head up. I can't speak for everyone, but we really tried to create a support network for the guys, whether it be having someone to chat with or having a tutoring network to make sure that guys are paired up and have resources that they can go to for a bit of extra help with their classes."
 
Asked to choose the best moment of his three years on campus thus far, he paused for a moment before coming up with a three-pronged response.
 
"It's hard to pick one highlight from my McGill rugby experience," Cumming says. "The 2019 season was a big one for us, playing Harvard in front of a record crowd for the Covo Cup (challenge game) was an awesome feeling and getting to go to the national championships (at Concordia) was special. But I think that my first game during my freshman year will really stick with me. It was our home opener and running out in the McGill uniform onto the field for the first time in front of a good crowd will probably be my favourite moment. The crowd was buzzing, my family and friends were there and I just felt very lucky to be part of the varsity team and it was really awesome."


SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
TEL: 514-398-7012
EMAIL: earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca