Graduating Senior Q&As: Notice, Gatzki reflect on their growth as student-athletes
Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – From the moment a student-athlete steps through the doors at MacEwan, their journey is a special one filled with memories of great plays, big wins, unforgettable times with teammates and a transformation into the person they are today.
In five years (or less), which feels like the blink of an eye, that journey is over.
As our graduating student-athletes move on from the program and prepare for the next chapter of life, we are asking them to reflect on their time as a Griffin.
From March 15-24, we will be featuring Q&As with our graduates by sport.
Here is the schedule:
Today – Men's Basketball
March 19 – Women's Volleyball
March 22 – Men's Hockey
March 23 – Women's Soccer
March 24 – Cross Country
Jake Notice puts up a three-point attempt over a UBC defender during a game in the 2019-20 season (Eduardo Perez photo).
Jake Notice
Wing/Point Guard (2016-21)
Graduating with … Bachelor of Science in Psychology, minoring in Biology
Future plans … Pursuing a pro basketball career, likely in Europe; returning to school
What are some of your favourite memories in your time as a Griffin?
"All the trips, when we went away to L.A. and Phoenix. It was really cool to play somewhere else and hang out with the team. In our second year (2017-18), we won on our first (weekend) of the season (86-73 over Thompson Rivers). It felt like a really good way to start the season. Obviously, we knew it was going to be a challenge without a lot of guys (the season after Denzel James, Keith Gerdes and Thadius Galvez). I thought a lot of guys stepped up."
That was the year you played more minutes and had a break out, too, right?
"Yeah, just with the rest of those guys leaving, I stepped into a bigger role."
Any particular highlights stand out to you – a big play you made, key basket or even a funny story?
"Against Brandon in my third year, I remember a steal on the left of the court and a basket in the fourth quarter with a minute to go."
Not a lot of people become international students (he is from Bath, UK). What's that been like for you, the whole experience of doing that?
"It's been a fun experience. I definitely like to do things that aren't necessarily the norm to do and I like challenges and adventures. It's definitely been an adjustment, especially when I first came over here. Canada and England aren't necessarily all that different but there are differences in culture, so just getting used to that took a little while. Everything has helped me grow up faster. It's been fun."
You look at yourself when you first came into the program to where you are now – and you have a different experience coming in as an international student – how do you think you've grown as a player and a person from then until now?
"As a person, I feel like I'm definitely a lot more mature. I've lived by myself for five years now, so I feel like that helped me grow up a lot faster. As a player, I definitely had changing roles throughout my time at MacEwan. I started off as more of a shooter, playing off the ball. Towards my last couple years here, I've definitely been more on the ball, creating shots for other people. So, it's definitely helped me add more to my game just playing different roles."
You won Team MVP in 2018-19. That award must have been special to validate all of your hard work because you came off the bench a lot in your first year.
"First year, I don't know how many minutes I averaged, but probably around five a game (officially 7.9). I had my games where I played 15 and had games where I played a couple minutes. It was definitely validating to be rewarded with MVP after improving throughout the years."
You recently signed with Pressiona Agency in Europe. How did that come about?
"After my third year, I had a pretty good year that year, and I started to get contacted by a few different agencies, mostly in Europe. So I just kept in touch with a few of them over the last couple years. Pressiona was the agent I had the best relationship with."
I'm assuming you want to play pro in Europe somewhere. What is your future goal?
"We'll see what happens. My passport helps me play in Europe specifically, especially in my first year. So we'll see around summertime."
Anything you want to say about your time with the Griffins?
"I'm grateful for all the teammates that I've played with. It's been a great (time)."
Dustin Gatzki drives around a TRU defender during a game in the 2019-20 season (Eduardo Perez photo).
Dustin Gatzki
Forward (2017-21)
Graduating with … Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting with a minor in Finance
Future plans … Pursuing Finance career; aiming to play basketball professionally
Favourite memories?
"Honestly, just spending time with the team. On out of town trips, we toured the city and just went as a team, so we had a lot of fun. That was a good time, a good experience. Just being on the court is my love, so just playing with the guys is probably the best experience I can have."
What individual highlights stand out to you, like a big basket or a big game or a big block?
"I think I had a good game against Saskatchewan last season. I went to Philadelphia, then to Wyoming and when I came back I played for Eric (Magdanz), then Mike (Connolly) came. There were lots of changes, so it was difficult to get back on track with things. It was a huge adjustment, but there's not a specific play I can think about right now."
You came in as a transfer, but if you could look back at when you first got here to the athlete and person you are now, how have you grown?
"I've definitely grown in age, just getting older and able to see everything around me – being more aware of everything. That's made me grow as a person."
Any funny moments or anything else?
"I love practice, to be honest – just joking around with coach Mike. At the start when we were able to practice, we were just joking around and stuff. I love talking to coaches. That's who I learn most from."
Is that something you see yourself doing some day? You seem to be interested in the leadership aspect.
"I went and coached a couple years with Good Hoops. I've definitely looked into coaching. I think that's something I'd love to do in the future."
Do you have future plans to still play basketball?
"I would like to (play pro). I'm trying to go to Toronto this summer and talk to a few coaches there and hopefully find something overseas. This last season with COVID kind of screwed everything up."
Anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffins student-athlete?
"I think being a Griffin is pretty cool, to be honest. It's a good program to be a part of. It definitely puts you through some trials that make you grow."
