Gradyn Childerhose is in his third season with the Clipper Men’s basketball team. A graduate of Caronport High School, this will be his fifth year on the Briercrest campus, and he really loves being a part of the community here. Childerhose says it was an easy choice for him to choose Briercrest College and Seminary after high school:

“After attending high school here, it was a very easy decision to come back to the community and play at a higher level.”

A learner on and off the court
Gradyn was a standout with the CHS team, earning the honour of team MVP for his Grade 12 season. He has always shown a desire to improve, and even though he is in his 15th year of playing basketball now, he continues to show steady improvement.

“Gradyn gives us a reliable defender, a tough rebounder and a consistent scorer underneath the hoop” said Coach Gene Wolverton.  “He can finish well with both hands which is attributed to his hard work and dedication.”  

This was really evident last year when Childerhose became a dominant force in the ACAC in just his second season. He was named to the ACAC all-conference team and has come back to take on a role as an assistant captain for the Clippers this year.

“He believes in teamwork and is very coachable”, says Coach Wolverton. “Gradyn is a continual learner, which is why he developed into the player he is today. He is committed to growing in his relationship with God and as a person, which makes him a great person of character, and one day a great husband and father.”

Loving the experience
It was the opportunity to play the highest level of college basketball in Canada while being in a Christian environment that made Briercrest the school of choice for Gradyn.

“Being a Briercrest athlete allows me to play the sport I love with people that share my faith,” said the 6’ 4” forward.

Growing up in Outlook, Sask., Gradyn also loved the community atmosphere that Briercrest has to offer.

“Briercrest is more of a community than just a college, so it allows you to make so many great friends.”

Future plans
Childerhose has future plans to be a teacher, and so while earning his AA in Humanities at Briercrest, he is taking credits that will transfer into a Bachelor of Education degree after his time with the Clippers is done.

In his time away from the basketball court, Gradyn loves to play football and golf. He also has a knack for music and has a talent that most athletes do not: he played the piano for seven years.

One of the best experiences he has had was a missions trip to Ireland with some other Briercrest basketball players in the summer of 2009. He hopes to add to that list of great experiences this year by helping lead his team into the ACAC playoffs.