For Justin Lammers, going to St. Clair College represented a huge turning point in his life.
For years, he didn't have the grades to get into college. But when he finally got accepted, Lammers made the most of it.
Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Justin Lammers gives the Saints Baseball a motivational message during Alumni Days at LaCasse Park on Oct. 4, 2025. (John Fairley/St. Clair College)
He studied in the Paramedic program, leaning on positive role models to help him get through school.
Today, Lammers is the Chief of Essex-Windsor EMS, and recently had a chance to pay it forward to the Saints Men's Baseball team during Alumni Day at LaCasse Park.
"I was able to see all the players, get together, have some camaraderie and some food in between games, and there was an opportunity to talk to the guys," said Lammers, who also tossed out the ceremonial first pitch of the game against Humber College.
"The older I get as a man, the more I realize the importance for young men to have people in their life that are mentors or motivational," Lammers said. "I took the opportunity to talk to the guys and let them know my journey."
He told the players his story, how they need to keep pushing, to keep going and find a mentor to lean on.
"It can be a chaotic time when you're 19, 20, 21 years old. You've got a lot going on, and there's a lot of pressures on you, and there's some big expectations," Lammers recalled. "We also need to remember that we - men and women - have to rise up and be the next leaders. So, it's important to find someone to lean on, to get that honest feedback from mentors in your life, and to make decisions that are going to put you into the right place in the future."
It's advice the players took to heart, according to head baseball coach Tristan Bouchat.
"He told the guys to just to believe in one another, to work as a team and continue pushing. Any time you're going through a tough time, but just believe in each other, believe in the coaches, and work hard and good things are going to come," said Bouchat.
"He's the perfect example for the guys, just to prove that you don't have to be the top in your class. You don't have to be the best in your field or on the field," Coach Bouchat said. "But if you work hard, you put in some effort and you believe in yourself, you can do whatever you want - not only on the field, but in the classroom and your life as well."
The weekend set against Humber didn't go as planned for the Saints Baseball team, but Bouchat said the players had a chance to let Chief Lammers' words sink in ahead of a two-game set against the OCAA-leading Lambton Lions.
"What he said really clicked with the guys, it really hit home," said Bouchat. "They were able to take a step back after last weekend, kind of let Justin's words hit home, and then they were a completely different team against Lambton."
The Saints upset Lambton in dramatic fashion, winning both games in decisive fashion, 9-2 and 11-2.
They now look forward to the OCAA Championship, which is being hosted by St. Clair College at LaCasse Park in Tecumseh from Oct. 16-18, 2025.
"It's a good thing for the guys to know that we can compete with anybody in this league, even though we've had our ups and downs," Bouchat said. "Wednesday's games just showed that if we bring our stuff, we have another chance to make a run at this."
Lammers, who is also a St. Clair College Alumni of Distinction, was happy to help set the tone and looks forward to the Saints riding this momentum into the playoffs.
He's also proud to support the college, which he says helped foster a sense of community service in his work and life.
"So many people who have gone to St. Clair College have gone on to do good things and give it back to the community on various levels," Lammers said. "There's a lot of people around us that are doing great things and keeping us moving forward in the right direction."
