Brian Kavaratzis was looking for an offer he couldn't refuse.
The highly touted soccer player from the Barrie high school system had numerous NCAA schools banging down his door hoping to land his services this summer.
Big dollars and multi-year scholarships were thrown to him along with high promises of great things.
Kavaratzis turned them all down, one by one.
The offers lacked purpose, and more importantly heart.
Then Laurentian University came along with a more modest offer, along with the chance to play the sport he loves in a passionate school and follow in his father's footsteps.
Kavaratzis had found his offer and took it without thinking twice, spurning the more lucrative deals from the United States.
His father, Denis, was a standout striker for Laurentian in the early 80s. Denis was part of the first and only national championship winning soccer team from Laurentian. The Voyageurs won the national university title in 1983.
"I have high expectations to live up to," said Kavaratzis. "My dad was a national champion and it's great I can follow in his footsteps and try and accomplish the same thing."
Denis is a proud father, watching his son develop into a player worthy of pulling on a Laurentian jersey.
"Brian has always wanted to follow in my footsteps since he was a young kid," said the dad. "It's special and means a lot to me. He could have gone elsewhere, but this is where he wanted to go...I have to respect it. Even when the NCAA schools were making their offers, he kept hinting about Laurentian."
Denis has fond memories from his playing days.
"(Former coach) Greg Zorbas recruited me from Toronto," said Denis. "We won the national championship in my first year. Laurentian has a great history and I am glad my son will now be a part of it to."
Kavaratzis stuck out like a sore thumb during the Voyageurs' training camp. He showed poise beyond his years and was easily the top freshman.
"He's a highly skilled player we can use in a lot of different situations," said head coach Carlo Castrechino. "He's a natural sweeper and can dominate. He will contribute more than any other rookie has in the last few years."
Laurentian will not place unrealistic expectations on Kavaratzis.
"Brian is smart and quick," said the coach. "He has brilliant ball control...one of the most important things in soccer. He will be able to make an impact, but he will have to work hard for it. We will not put too much pressure on him."
Turning his back on rich deals from NCAA schools was easier for Kavaratzis than most people think.
"This is the right move for me...I can feel it," said the Eastview High School graduate. "Soccer is big at this school. There's no hockey or football here. There's a big emphasis on the sport I love to play. I couldn't pass up the opportunity."
