The second-year science student, a former star with the Corner Brook Titans, is entering his sophomore season with the Sea-Hawks. He has committed to the personal goal of being a starter on the team before the season ends.
Dobbin had several rough patches in his first year of studies, doing his best to juggle athletics and academics. He found that every second of the day was precious time for post-secondary students, who face a heavy workload outside the classroom.
Sharing the hardwood with his teammates six days a week while handing classes and study time is challenging for most teenagers fresh out of high school, so discipline is key to keeping it all in order for guys like Dobbin.
“If you make a schedule you have got to stay true to it,” Dobbin said.
The 19-year-old, a 6-5 forward, who earned a reputation as a tough defender on the high school basketball scene, wants to be a starter and he’s willing to put in all the time and effort required to make it happen.
He loves being on the floor in the middle of the action so that’s why he plans on making himself a better player by addressing what he believes to be his weak point — lateral quickness.
“In high school, I could let defenders go around me and just block their shot, but I can’t do that now. I actually have to move my feet faster and stay in front of them,” he said.
The Sea-Hawks have started preparation for the 2017-18 Atlantic University Sport varsity men’s basketball season with all eyes on a showdown with the Acadia Axemen.
Acadia has become the biggest rival of the Sea-Hawks for the past five or so years and Dobbin was quite familiar with that rivalry long before he arrived.
The Sea-Hawks were bounced out of AUS playoff contention last season with a 73-65 loss to the Axemen, so Dobbin and company are eager to renew hostilities and see what this year holds.
The Sea-Hawks have opened the AUS season with a showdown with the Axemen the past several seasons so it’s probably going to get heated up early when tip-off rolls around.
“Acadia has been more successful than we have and we’re looking to turn that around this year,” he said.
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