Just a few minutes being around Ben Olson and Langley Rams’ head coach Jeff Alamolhoda knew he had uncovered a gem.
The two met at the B.C. Senior Bowl for all-star high school football players March 26 at the B.C. Lions practice facility in Surrey.
“When I first met Ben, he was much more of a mature man than all of the other guys but his character shined through,” said Alamolhoda. “It was ‘Yes coach’, ‘No problem coach’, ‘What can I do for you coach?’”
The respect was mutual as Olson – a Fulton Maroon – also took a quick liking to Alamolhoda.
“We got talking to all the coaches and coach Alamolhoda was the guy who really intrigued me because he’s the kind of person I am,” said the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Olson. “The program they’re running down there is one I want to get myself involved in before I make the jump to the CIS.”
Olson, who hopes one year of junior will ready him for university ball, is high on Alamolhoda’s style.
“The personal level that he gets with you. Before every player leaves the stadium, he talks to them personally and he’s just really, really in touch, making sure you’re OK. He’s really personal and I like that.”
Alamolhoda, 30, is a University of Manitoba Bison football grad who works with at-risk youth when not coaching in the junior A B.C. Football Conference. He says Olson will see lots of time at defensive end.
“He will definitely be in the mix. We use a rotation of six or seven so we always have fresh legs out there.”
The Rams, formerly of Surrey, went 7-3 last year, losing 46-10 to the eventual champion Vancouver Island Raiders of Nanaimo, in the semifinals.
Olson, who quarterbacked Mike Scheller’s Maroons the last two senior AA seasons while also seeing time at defensive end, punter and on special teams, says he goes hard until he hears a whistle.
“My motor doesn’t stop running. I’m the Energizer Bunny. I keep on going and just follow the play and never give up on it and I usually make the tackle. It’s just banging heads and playing football.”
Scheller coached Olson in football the last three years and rugby for two.
“Ben’s extremely athletic and he can do whatever wants,” said Scheller. “Just pick a sport. He’s fast, strong and smart. His greatest quality is his leadership. He takes the initiative to be a leader and the kids respect him and listen to him.”
Scheller said Olson is pretty much king of the hill at Fulton, but hardly lets it affect his mind-set.
“He’s one of the most positive kids I’ve coached and he’s nice to everybody.”
Olson and the Rams open the 2011 season in the six-team BCFC July 30 at McLeod Park and Stadium against the Raiders. They visit the Okanagan Sun at the Kelowna Apple Bowl on Saturday, Aug. 8. The Sun ambushed Langley 30-3 and 47-0 last season. Olson, who also started on the Fulton rugby and basketball teams, will study psychology second semester at Okanagan College.
