Nathan Vogstad, a grade 12 student at Queen Charlotte Secondary School, will be playing basketball for Simon Fraser University in Vancouver next year."We had a pretty good season and there was a lot of noise about the team and how we've been playing. I got a call from SFU and they said they like my roughness and that they'd enjoy me playing for them next year. Now, I'm fully committed to going," said Mr. Vogstad.Playing any university sport is no small feat, but playing basketball at SFU happens to be in a league of its own. SFU is the only school in Canada that plays in the American NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and has produced many players on the Canadian National Team and in professional leagues, according to Dave Wahl, Mr. Vogstad's coach at QCSS."NCAA is a big step. It's definitely going to be pretty tough. I'll have to work hard to really excel at that," said Mr. Vogstad.Mr. Wahl played basketball for SFU from 1996 to 2000 and said of his experience, "I played in over 30 states, six provinces and three countries. I played in front of 20,000 people several times, earned a degree and built a lifetime of memories.""Just hearing that Dave had such a good time and a good experience and excelled playing there makes me excited to play there as well," said Mr. Vogstad.Leaving Haida Gwaii can be challenging for anyone heading to university. But, Mr. Vogstad is being realistic about his move to Vancouver."The big city," he laughed. "I definitely love Haida Gwaii. It's going to be a big step, a big transition. There'll probably be lots of calls home to mom, but I feel like I'll pull through."Undoubtedly his family and community will be backing him the entire way and his coach is certain he'll succeed."Nate is a much tougher and better player than I was and I have no doubt that he will have an amazing career," said Mr. Wahl.