Elic Ayomanor in his new Stanford football uniform (photo courtesy Elic Ayomanor)

By Teagan Rasche

From Medicine Hat to California

Local Stanford commit equally pursuing athletics and academics

Dec 21, 2021 | 6:08 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A rush of memories come flooding back to Elic Ayomanor as he looks through photo albums with his mom Pam.

He reflects on how far he’s come while he’s back at home for a few weeks this Christmas.

“I really just played every sport growing up, Elic said. “You name it, soccer basketball, track and field.”

The multisport athlete eventually pursued football and left home at 15 for The Peddie School in New Jersey. He then transferred to Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts.

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Elic is in his last year at Deerfield, where he’s chasing athletic and academic dreams.

“I definitely did not encourage that,” Pam said. “I probably tried to sway him from going. However, he was so certain there was no way I could hold him back.”

Now, Pam couldn’t be prouder of her son. Back in August, Elic officially became a Cardinal and committed to Stanford University.

Going to one of the world’s most prestigious universities was always his dream but it came with a lot of sacrifices.

“Training rather than going to a party. He had to sacrifice his friends to keep training,” Chad Watson said. “He did everything the right way and when I look at him, he’s a kid I talk about on my own basketball team, he was so focused.”

Watson is the athletic director at Medicine Hat High School, where Elic attended for a year.

He was one of the few people who undeniably encouraged Elic’s big dreams.

“He is the total package,” Watson said. “But more importantly, he’s a really good person.”

Football is Elic’s passion, but it doesn’t define him. He works just as hard in the classroom.

“When I was younger, my mom would always tell me you need to go to college and get good grades,” Elic said.

Elic grew up with just his mom and sister and Pam made sure her kids always knew the importance of academics.

“It’s difficult in today’s society to progress without education,” Pam said.

Elic is interested in studying management, science and engineering. Before pursuing a professional career, he wants to take his football talents as far as possible and dreams of playing in the NFL.

“Just because you’re born in Medicine Hat, or born anywhere, means nothing,” Elic said. “It’s just about who you are and what type of work you’re willing to put in.”

As he prepares to take the next step in his student-athlete career first, Elic hopes his story inspires others.