Stewart Joins REDS

(FREDERICTON, NB) Megan Stewart couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play for Erin McAleenan again.

“When Coach asked me to play, we met in her office, and it brought both of us to tears discussing how full circle this moment is,” she said.

Stewart spent four seasons (2017-18 through 2020-21) working with McAleenan when the latter was the head coach at York University. 

“It was not a tough sell,” said the Saint John native, whose Lions’ career ended prematurely when the pandemic struck.

“I never closed that chapter of my life properly with a grad year, so having Erin back as my coach for my graduating year feels very full circle.”

When basketball, like so many other things, shut down during the pandemic, Stewart returned home and eventually enrolled at UNB. She also traded indoor basketball courts for outdoor rugby fields, playing two seasons with the REDS women’s rugby team.

“It’s definitely been a tough transition,” said Stewart. “In rugby, you have to worry about running forward, for the most part. In basketball, I now have to worry about side to side, quickly, as well as jumping. I still have all my muscle memory and it’s slowly creeping back.” 

“I’m really excited that Megan decided to come back to basketball and play with us this season,” said McAleenan, who took over the REDS earlier this year. “She gives us some more depth and experience at the forward position. She moves well without the basketball and sees the floor well. She’s a good defender and with a strong understanding of the style of play I like.”

Stewart played in 61 regular season games over three competitive seasons at York. In 2019-20, her final competitive season with the Lions, she averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

“I would say my style of play revolves around off-ball movement and rebounding,” said Stewart. “I consider myself someone that helps the offence flow, creates for others, and rebounds. At one point I was a shooter. Stay tuned to see if that returns.” 

“It’s pretty special for me to be able to coach Megan for another season,” said McAleenan. “Between the Covid year, where we lost our season, and Megan getting an opportunity she couldn’t turn down with UNB Law, this is just great for us to be on the same team again.”

Stewart played a season in the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association but hadn’t been on a U SPORTS court until recently.

“I consider Erin a second mother,” said Stewart. “She watched me grow up at York. She made the York team a family, and in the process, she turned our long losing streak into a team that could compete with the best. I am so honoured to be able to play again for such an amazing, strong, and inspiring woman.”

Stewart is expected to make her REDS women’s basketball debut this weekend, when UNB hosts UPEI Friday and Saturday.

She says don’t be surprised if you see a little rugby creep into her basketball.

“I shy away from contact less and I find it almost instinctive to hit a body on a box out,” she said. “As non-contact as basketball is, I find my rugby skills do come in handy.”

Stewart is now studying Law at UNB.

STORY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTO: Cameron Fitch/UNB Media Services