When Christopher Gomez (BSM '25) first set foot in St. Catharines, it wasn't a campus tour or classroom that won him over; it was the rowing team.
Drawn to Brock University from his hometown of Caledon, Gomez was searching for more than just a program. He was looking for a team environment that felt like home, which he found with the Badgers.
"During late 2019 and early 2020, I made several trips to St. Catharines to train with the team," he said. "They were extremely welcoming and made it an easy choice to come here."
After graduating with a Bachelor of Sport Management on Tuesday, June 10 during Brock's 117th Convocation, Gomez is looking back on his time at Brock with deep gratitude for both his academic journey and the community that made it meaningful.
"As cheesy as it might sound, I think about family," he said. "My teammates and coaches became my family. But also, my actual family because they never missed a single race, whether it was a rainy October regatta or nationals in British Columbia. They were always there."
Gomez competed for Brock rowing at the national level and trained across Canada and the United States, all while balancing a demanding academic schedule.
During his time on the team, he helped the Brock men's rowing program capture four consecutive Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Men's Rowing Championship titles.
Much of Gomez's university experience was shaped by head coach Tom Kent, a legendary figure in Canadian rowing.
"Tom has been my coach the entire time I've been at Brock, and he's one of the most inspiring people I've ever met," Gomez said. "He's given 50 years of his life to the sport. He taught me that it doesn't matter if you're down a man or up against a bigger crew, because with 'brains and guts' you can still win."
But as his time at Brock came to an end, Gomez faced the difficult realization that his identity as a varsity athlete would change once he crossed the stage at Convocation.
"It hit me in my last year. That this incredible experience was going to end," he said. "It made me appreciate every moment more, because I knew I couldn't take it for granted. Varsity sport is a privilege."
As he navigates from rowing to a career in finance, Gomez is already working in banking and plans to specialize in investments and asset management.
But he has no plans to fully leave the sport behind.
"I'll race in alumni events and I plan to stay involved with the Brock rowing program," he said. "You can count on me being at every OUA Championship here in St. Catharines."
Looking ahead, Gomez envisions moving closer to family, continuing his professional growth and giving back to the sport and school that shaped him.
"Brock gave me more than a degree," he said. "It gave me lifelong friends, mentors and a second home."
