Dexter Abrams (BA '93, BSW Spec. Hons. '10) is one of the most decorated men's volleyball players in York history. He was named an OUAA first-team all-star in all five years he played at York (1988-91, 1992-94) and earned CIAU second-team all-Canadian honours three times (1989-90, 1994). The York program won three OUAA gold medals while he was a member of the team - in 1989, 1993 and 1994 - and competed at the national championship in each of those seasons, winning a program-best bronze medal in 1989. Abrams was named York's male athlete of the year in 1993, the same season he received MVP honours at the Kerst International Volleyball Tournament in Assen, Holland, and continued to play on Canada Volleyball's masters team after graduation. A strong student as well as a talented athlete, he returned to York to complete his bachelor of arts degree in social work and made it to the Dean's honours list.
Dexter Abrams has committed himself to York University on two separate occasions in the last 20 years, first to earn an undergraduate degree while starring for the men’s volleyball team and more recently to pursue his dream of becoming a social worker so he could work with underprivileged children.
His first foray at the University began in 1989, when he joined the Yeomen volleyball team from a very successful high school program. A student at David and Mary Thompson Collegiate Institute, Abrams followed in the footsteps of other men who made the jump from his high school to the Yeomen, most notably fellow Sport Hall of Fame inductees Mark Ainsworth, Dave Chambers and John May, and quickly made a name for himself as an athletic outside hitter.
In five years with the York squad Abrams became one of the most decorated men’s volleyball players in school history. He was an OUAA first-team all-star in all five years he played at York and earned CIAU second-team all-Canadian honours three times. The squad won three OUAA gold medals and a program-best CIAU bronze medal in 1989, and he wrapped up his athletic career by being named the York athlete of the year in 1993.
Abrams looks back fondly on his time with the team and remembers the people with whom he spent most of his time.
“Looking back you don’t remember so much the games but you do remember the people and your teammates. Many of the friendships from my years at York carried over afterwards and I continued playing volleyball with many of my Yeomen teammates for years following our graduation.
Being part of the team also helped build life experiences. It wasn’t just about the sport but also about the connections made with other people. Those are the things you carry on for the rest of your life.”
Having the opportunity to provide that feeling of camaraderie for others is what inspired Abrams to return to school. Years after graduating from York with a degree in psychology, he returned to pursue a degree in social work and graduated in 2010 as a top student with a place on the Dean’s honours list.
He now works with at-risk youth in an alternative high school, determined to create those same connections with students who don’t have the same support and opportunities he once did.
“You need to believe in yourself but you need to have people that believe in you too. Someone was always there for me when I was growing up but a lot of my students don’t have a significant adult in their lives, someone who supports them and motivates them, and so I try and be a role model. If I can make a difference in one person’s life then I’ve done my job. It’s very rewarding, although at times it’s tough, and when you hear what they’ve been through you gain more perspective on your own life. I’m rich with a lot of special things.”
Any youth would be fortunate to have Abrams as a role model, and he is only just beginning to positively affect the students in his community.
