Student spotlight: Haspreet Singh Hooda

If you’ve attended a Durham Lords game over the last three years, you know Haspreet Singh Hooda.

As the voice of the Lords, he keeps the crowd and the athletes pumped up during basketball, volleyball, rugby and soccer games. Judging by the success of the Lords in recent years, he does his job very well.

“Haspreet always energizes the crowd,” said Durham College (DC) athletic director Scott Dennis. “With his natural charisma and passion for sports, he makes every game a memorable experience for Lords Nation.”

It’s that passion for sports that brought Hooda to DC, and Canada. Growing up in India, he played and excelled in a wide range of sports. He competed at the national level in both swimming and arm wrestling, earned a black belt in karate and tried his hand at soccer, speedskating and powerlifting, among other sports.

When contemplating his future, he decided to combine his love of sports with his family’s affinity for business. That led him to study Sport Management at DC, and it’s been a lifechanging experience.

“I came from India as a student who was shy and more of an introvert, and sports demands that you make connections,” he said. “I started talking to more people and took any opportunity that came to me.”

One such opportunity was filling in for the announcer at a Lords rugby game. Though he had no prior experience or interest in the role, he took to it like a natural. Ken Babcock, DC’s athletic director at the time, was impressed and offered him more time behind the microphone. Three years later, he’s become as synonymous with the Lords as Louie and the green and gold.

In addition to announcing, Babcock gave Hooda another great opportunity; launching an extramural cricket team. Having played the sport for years in India, he was the ideal choice to build a team at DC and serve as its manager. Now in its second year, they play friendly tournament matches against teams from nearby colleges and universities.

Becoming so involved in campus life has been critical to navigating the challenges of life as an international student, and it’s something he recommends to those who follow in his footsteps.

“It’s not going to be easy. You might have some times when you’re completely homesick and you’re lonely, but always be open to new things. Put your hand up for every single opportunity you can,” he said. “Make friends and have fun. Go in with a positive mindset, keep a smile on your face, and never disrespect any work you get.”

The support of his professors, friends and the entire DC community has made him feel at home. Every compliment he’s received for his school work and announcing has fueled his continued success.

“It makes me feel good that my work has been noticed and appreciated. That gives me motivation for the next time. That’s how I got through every single day.”

Now in his final year of studies at DC, he’s ready for the next step. Having discovered his natural talent on the microphone, he intends to pursue a career in broadcasting. He has continued to make contacts in the world of sports, including Herbie Kuhn, the longtime voice of the Toronto Raptors, who accepted an invitation to attend a Lords basketball game in November.

All in all, Hooda’s DC experience has far surpassed his expectations.

“It has been an amazing journey for me. DC has given me a lot of things, and I’m very grateful for that,” he said. “Everyone here has accepted me with open arms. Thank you for making me a part of your family.”