Being an elite-level athlete has its perks, but it’s easy to take for granted the person on the inside.
The Journal sat down for its first edition of player profiles, beginning with Gaels football starting quarterback Alex Vreeken, Kin ’26.
A Kingston native, Vreeken didn’t always have football in his sights. Growing up, he split his time between multiple sports—soccer, basketball, and anything else that kept him moving. It was basketball, though, that first captured his heart. “My brother Connor and I both fell in love with basketball,” Vreeken said. “Our dream was to play OUA basketball,” a goal his brother went on to achieve at Carleton University.
It wasn’t until he entered Frontenac Secondary School that Vreeken first picked up a football. “I knew nothing,” he said. “But I could throw a ball pretty well.” What started as a casual experiment quickly became something deeper—a passion that would redefine his athletic journey and shape the player he is today.
As Vreeken’s passion for football deepened, he credits much of that growth to his offensive coordinator at Frontenac, Mark Magee—a former Queen’s coach. “He’s kind of the reason I fell in love with the game,” Vreeken said.
Even as basketball offers came his way, Vreeken found himself increasingly drawn to the gridiron. Summers spent training with the Queen’s football team strengthened his connection to the sport and the program. The relationships he built there, he said, ultimately became the deciding factor in choosing to wear the Tricolour.
Vreeken’s tall, athletic build at 6’4’’, allows him to see the whole field and use his strong arm to make plays. Through his work ethic and knowledge of the game, he can stay calm in the pocket or scramble when pressure’s near. These attributes make him a valuable quarterback on the field.
Up until this year, Vreeken’s Queen’s career showed flashes of greatness but had been riddled with unlucky injuries—most significantly a concussion in the 2024-25 season, which limited him to play a total of five games. “Obviously, it was tough, I didn’t know if I was going to play again,” he said.
However, the injury sparked a change in his mindset, hoping to “fight through this injury and prove to these guys [the football team] that I’m here for it.” Vreeken had shown the OUA that, when he was healthy, he could be a threat to defenses. He just had to prove it again after this long road to recovery.
That’s exactly what Vreeken did, first being invited to the East-West Bowl alongside teammates (and best friends) Justin Pace, ArtSci ’27, Russell Weir, ArtSci ’27 and Steven Kpehe, Kin ’26. He also participated in the the CFL’s quarterback internship camp with the Ottawa Redblacks. “I just really dedicated myself and had a really good offseason,” he said. He credits this for his and the Gaels success this season, one that sees them in the OUA semifinals.
When asked about his favourite Queen’s memory, Vreeken answered emphatically, saying, “This whole year.” He added, saying, “It’s been pretty cool being out there with best friends every day.” When not playing football, Vreeken loves to play the guitar and spend time at the cottage.
Vreeken’s advice for any incoming athletes: “Don’t take it for granted and when adversity comes, keep training through it and it will eventually go your way.”
With playoffs looming, Vreeken isn’t worried about where his future in football may take him. Instead, his focus is on his team and their run at the OUA playoffs, where the Gaels look to make a push for the provincial crown.
With the hometown quarterback finishing up his fifth year at Queen’s, Vreeken has established himself as one of the best players in Canada. His breakout regular season featured 18 passing touchdowns, good for third among all U Sports quarterbacks..
Gaels can catch number 12 live on OUA.tv on Nov. 1, as the Queen’s men’s football team travels to Windsor to avenge their homecoming defeat and face the Windsor Lancers in the OUA semifinals. Stay tuned for more player profiles coming soon.
Tags
Alex Vreeken, Get to know your gaels, Mark Magee
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