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Reaching higher

- May 27, 2008

Niklas Rademacher
Niklas Rademacher (Nick Pearce Photo)

Niklas Rademacher chose Dalhousie because he wanted a strong athletic and well-respected academic program. He hasnā€™t looked back since leaving his hometown of Bocholt, Germany.

The captain of the menā€™s volleyball team, Mr. Rademacher has been a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Academic All-Canadian and a Deanā€™s List scholar throughout his academic career. He earned three in-course scholarships and was twice awarded the Graham Family Award for athletic excellence, community service and leadership.

This captain provides leadership both on and off the court, but says heā€™s proud that ā€œevery member of the team has a leadership role ā€” the older players mentor the newer members with their studies and their plays.ā€

In addition to maintaining a busy playing schedule and demanding course load, Mr. Rademacher enjoys working as a teaching assistant for the management program because ā€œit is challenging and it allows me to give others the experience I had.ā€

He has played volleyball for 19 years, including four years as a professional beach volleyball player. During his time with the Tigers he has been named Atlantic University Sport (AUS) MVP, a three-time CIS First Team All-Canadian and a four-time AUS All-Star. He is the winner of the CIS Dale Iwanoczko Award for academics, athletics and community service and was Dalhousieā€™s nominee for the prestigious James Bayer Award for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship.

In his spare time he has developed a volleyball program for a local high school, conducted a mini-program for Volleyball Nova Scotia and is involved with Athletes for a Peaceful Planet. During the summers he mentors young athletes.

Upon graduation, Mr. Rademacher will be returning to Germany to play professional volleyball.