Playing volleyball for the last seven years has helped earn Derek Howes a volleyball entrance scholarship to play on the Fanshawe varsity team.

Even with his talents, he's been inspired to always persevere and look out for your teammates no matter what the circumstances on or off the court.

“A great man once told me to hold the rope…don't leave your teammates out to dry,” recalled 20-year-old Howes.

Aside from being a dedicated team player, Howes recently completed the Recreation Services program at Fanshawe College, and is currently enrolled in the Police Foundations program with two years remaining.

For the time being Howes plans on “finishing his police foundations credentials” and plans on receiving a “gold medal in the Ontario volleyball championships.”

The grueling workouts the young men on the volleyball team endure is quite impressive as they practice four to five times a week, while also getting together to hit the weights every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 a.m.

The men play one game a week.

Howes has a strong presence while on the volleyball court but couldn't help credit some incredible role models for believing in him as much as they do.

Rob Thorpe, assistant volleyball coach at Fanshawe and head coach Josh Westgate are just two of the men Howes looks up to for inspiration.

Howes referred to Westgate as being “very self-motivated” and always “doing the right thing in order to succeed at life.”

Thorpe, on the other hand, is extremely young and Howes finds it inspiring that he “already has two degrees.”

“He (Thorpe) just has a good thing going for him,” Howes added.

Aside from his love of volleyball and being part of a great team, Howes enjoys playing basketball and running regularly.

“Having fun is the most important thing when playing…I love when I see the other players do great things,” added Howes.