HAMILTON, Ont. — When the moment called, Amir Shirazi delivered. Whether it was a highlight-reel bicycle kick or a championship-winning goal, Shirazi built a reputation for rising when it mattered most — a defining trait in a career that now stands among the most impactful in McMaster Marauders men's soccer history.

Across 64 games, Shirazi recorded 30 goals and 19 assists, finishing his career with 51 goal contributions. He leaves the program ranked third all-time in goals and second in points — numbers that reflect not just consistency, but a knack for delivering in decisive moments.

That ability was never clearer than in 2022. In what he describes as a "rebuild year," McMaster entered the OUA final with uncertainty. Facing TMU on the road, the Marauders found themselves in a tense, scoreless battle late into the match — until opportunity struck. "They (TMU) got a red card… and all of a sudden it was like, 'oh, we can actually go and win,'" Shirazi recalled. Going in the final 10 minutes of play, and after back-to-back defensive stands, McMaster turned to attack. A long ball forward sparked the play, a cross found its way into the box, and Shirazi finished it first-time. "We knew at that point we were going to win." The goal secured the OUA championship — and cemented a career-defining highlight.
 

Shirazi's journey to McMaster was anything but typical. After taking two gap years — one planned, one forced by the COVID-19 pandemic — he arrived older and more experienced than most first-year athletes. During that time, he played in England, gaining exposure to a more physical and demanding style of soccer. "They were training twice a day, sometimes three," he said. "It showed me the level I needed to get to." Rather than viewing the time away as a setback, Shirazi credits it as a turning point. "I was really lucky in that sense." That experience paid off immediately, as he stepped into a major role in his first season and never looked back.

Growing into leadership

While his impact on the field was undeniable, Shirazi's growth off it tells an equally important story. "I kind of kept to myself when I first came in," he said. "But each year, I grew into it more and more." By his second year, Shirazi was team captain — leading not just through performance, but through consistency and accountability.

His leadership extended beyond the pitch. He helped integrate incoming players by organizing mentorship within the team, worked to strengthen connections between the men's and women's programs, and contributed as a camp counsellor and referee within the McMaster community. He also coached youth soccer in Burlington, staying connected to the next generation of players.

That combination of leadership, service, and performance ultimately earned him the 2025–26 Ray Johnson Award as McMaster's Outstanding Male Graduate.

"It meant a lot," Shirazi said. "The school in general has given me so much. To be recognized at the end for something like this helped me realize that I left a lasting legacy, which wouldn't have been possible without all the coaches and my teammates. It was just like a nice way to finish".

Shirazi's individual accolades reflect the level he consistently performed at:

• OUA Champion (2022)
• U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian (2024, 2025)
• OUA West First Team All-Star (2024, 2025)
• OUA West Second Team All-Star (2023)
• McMaster Men's Soccer MVP (2025, 2024)

But for Shirazi, those honours are only part of the story.

He credits much of his success to those around him — including longtime McMaster coach Dino Perri, who first recruited him, and former teammate turned coach Tristan Joyce, who helped him adjust to the university level. "It was kind of by accident, but it was the best choice I ever made," he said of coming to McMaster.

While Shirazi once pursued professional opportunities overseas — even receiving contract offers during his university career — his path ultimately shifted. His focus now turns to the next chapter: working with his family's publishing business, Global Heroes. "I've given a lot to soccer," he said. "It's time to explore other things… but I still want to stay involved in some aspect."

That transition, like much of his journey, reflects balance — something he says being a student-athlete helped him master. "You learn time management, discipline — things people don't learn until the end of the workforce."

As his time at McMaster comes to a close, Shirazi describes the experience as bittersweet. "It's been one of the most enjoyable periods of my life," he said. "You're never going to be happy it's ending." 

Still, his legacy is firmly established — not just in awards, but in the culture he helped build. For Shirazi, that's what makes McMaster special. "The sense of community and family that McMaster Marauders in general, create." And for a player who was made for the big moments, it's fitting that his biggest impact may be the one that lasts long after the final whistle.