The first Wednesday of February is Christmas for college football programs across the country. Top recruits and commits sign (or hit send on an app) their letter of intent to the school of their liking after deciding over tons of scholarship offers from the nation’s elite.
Some recruits choose to walk-on to a program over scholarship offers. 2017 Edwardsburg (Mich.) athlete
Cameron Ekanayake didn’t have Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Michigan or Ohio State knocking down the door, but rather the likes of Columbia, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, MIT and Yale.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder visited Notre Dame at the end of January and picked up an offer to walk-on at Notre Dame, which he has accepted.
“After much thought and discussion, the decision became relatively easy for me,” Ekanayake told Irish Sports Daily. “Financially and other technicalities aside, I realized how rare it is to find an institution where academics and athletics were held on such a global pedestal which opened my eyes to the rarity that is Notre Dame-- a place that focuses on developing people as a whole and not merely in one category.”
When Ekanayake’s visit to Notre Dame was complete, he mentioned his decision would come down to where he was the most ‘uncomfortable.’ The Michigan native wanted to be challenged on the field, but also off the field and he had felt Notre Dame was the safe option heading into the visit.
After just over a week of thought, Ekanayake decided to go to school just 15 minutes from his home wasn’t the comfortable option, as being a student-athlete at Notre Dame presents the challenge he was searching for.
“Regardless of Notre Dame’s proximity to home, I truly believe Notre Dame will be the the best place for myself to grow and thrive athletically, academically, and as a man,” stated Ekanayake. “At a place like Notre Dame, the hardships I will face will be much greater, which means my resolve will have to be twice as large--which is exactly what I am looking for in my home for the next four years.”
I truly believe Notre Dame will be the the best place for myself to grow and thrive athletically, academically, and as a man.
- Cameron Ekanayake
Ekanayake’s mother not only works at Notre Dame but is also a graduate, so, despite her feelings, the decision was all his.
“I don't know if she knew all along or if she did a good job hiding her excitement, but she gave me a smile and a hug and congratulated me and that was that,” said Ekanayake. “She never pressured me into attending her alma mater, but, instead let the university speak for her, and remained confident that I would make the right decision.”
While the road the field is an uphill battle for any freshman, Ekanayake knows there is work to be done and embraces the challenge he has accepted as being part of WOPU Nation (Walk On Players Union).
“My main goal is to help this football program out in whatever way and whatever role I can,” he explained. “Whether it is on the offensive side of the ball under Coach Long, or somewhere in Coach Elko's scheme, special teams, or even on the scout team at first. I want to do anything and everything in my power to help my teammates and our team to be the most prepared team on the football field come Saturdays.”
With his future decided and the challenge accepted, Ekanayake has let his mind slip to what it will be like putting on the gold helmet for the first time in September.
“I most definitely have thought about that,” said Ekanayake. “I've been thinking and dreaming about that moment ever since I was old enough to watch the television on Saturday. The thought of running out of that tunnel in front of 80,000 people donning the blue and gold gives me immense pleasure in seeing part of my dreams come to fruition.”
