April 3, 2009
SINOPOLI FRONTS HUDDLE FOR GEE-GEES
OTTAWA, Ont. - Brad Sinopoli held on for two years with the chance now to fly as Gee-Gees starting quarterback.
"I have been waiting for this day to come," said the six-foot-two scrambler, who debuts as uOttawa's head of the huddle when Gee-Gees football 2009 spring camp opens Friday (4:00 p.m.) at Matt Anthony Field (801 King Edward Avenue).
uOttawa expects as many as 85 student-athletes for spring practice Friday 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 10:00 - 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., with the annual Garnet and Grey scrimmage Sunday, April 5 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Among Gee-Gees returning players are fourth-year (CFL draft eligible) running back Davie Mason, fifth-year (CFL draft eligible) linebacker Mike Cornell, fifth-year (CFL draft eligible) safety Maxime Bedard, and fourth-year defensive lineman Sebastien Tetrault.
Among notable newcomers are first-year receiver Simon LeMarquand, a gifted CEGEP all-star and MVP of the Griffons Gatineau-based team, and third-year transfer receiver Steve Hughes, who left an all-star Ottawa high school career for two seasons at OUA rival York.
Sinopoli, a gifted passer and runner with a life full of athletic instinct instilled through football and other sports like track, hockey and lacrosse, and by his high school coach and father Sam in Peterborough, Ont., enters his third season with the Gee-Gees taking over from graduated uOttawa all-time leading passer Josh Sacobie.
"It was better for me to sit back," Sinopoli said.
The Gee-Gees will hold practice outdoors for the first time since playing for the 2008 Yates Cup, a loss (31-17 to Western Ontario at London) in which Sinopoli caught six passes for 74 yards, including Sacobie's final completion in a uOttawa uniform.
"A comfortable way to slide into a starting role," said Sinopli, who will turn 21 April 14. "I can't wait to get outside."
Denis Piche enters his eighth spring camp as head coach saying not since Hec Crighton trophy-winning quarterback Phil Cote graduated after a Vanier Cup championship in 2000 has uOttawa had a quarterback with Sinopoli's versatility.
"We are in a position to go from a Vanier Cup-Calibre quarterback to another Vanier Cup-calibre quarterback. That is luxury that does not happen often in the CIS," Piche said.
"Both Josh and Brad will be remembered when all is said and done."
The Gee-Gees are also actively participating in the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES.ca) True Sport program and have named six returning player-ambassadors to bring messages of sportsmanship, dedication and class to Ottawa-area high schools.
They are Sinopoli, fifth-year (CFl draft eligible) running back Craig Bearss, fourth-year receiver Cyril Adjeitey, Tetrault, fourth-year cornerback Chayce Elliott and fourth-year linebacker James McNaughton.
"The message is something we all convey," said Piche. "This is what sports is all about ... and I believe part of our mandate."
2009 GEE-GEES FOOTBALL SPRING CAMP AT MATT ANTHONY FIELD
Friday, April 3
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 4
10:00 - 11:45 a.m.
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 5
10:00 - 12:00 p.m. *
* Garnet vs. Grey scrimmage
Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees
"I have been waiting for this day to come," said the six-foot-two scrambler, who debuts as uOttawa's head of the huddle when Gee-Gees football 2009 spring camp opens Friday (4:00 p.m.) at Matt Anthony Field (801 King Edward Avenue).
uOttawa expects as many as 85 student-athletes for spring practice Friday 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 10:00 - 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., with the annual Garnet and Grey scrimmage Sunday, April 5 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Among Gee-Gees returning players are fourth-year (CFL draft eligible) running back Davie Mason, fifth-year (CFL draft eligible) linebacker Mike Cornell, fifth-year (CFL draft eligible) safety Maxime Bedard, and fourth-year defensive lineman Sebastien Tetrault.
Among notable newcomers are first-year receiver Simon LeMarquand, a gifted CEGEP all-star and MVP of the Griffons Gatineau-based team, and third-year transfer receiver Steve Hughes, who left an all-star Ottawa high school career for two seasons at OUA rival York.
Sinopoli, a gifted passer and runner with a life full of athletic instinct instilled through football and other sports like track, hockey and lacrosse, and by his high school coach and father Sam in Peterborough, Ont., enters his third season with the Gee-Gees taking over from graduated uOttawa all-time leading passer Josh Sacobie.
"It was better for me to sit back," Sinopoli said.
The Gee-Gees will hold practice outdoors for the first time since playing for the 2008 Yates Cup, a loss (31-17 to Western Ontario at London) in which Sinopoli caught six passes for 74 yards, including Sacobie's final completion in a uOttawa uniform.
"A comfortable way to slide into a starting role," said Sinopli, who will turn 21 April 14. "I can't wait to get outside."
Denis Piche enters his eighth spring camp as head coach saying not since Hec Crighton trophy-winning quarterback Phil Cote graduated after a Vanier Cup championship in 2000 has uOttawa had a quarterback with Sinopoli's versatility.
"We are in a position to go from a Vanier Cup-Calibre quarterback to another Vanier Cup-calibre quarterback. That is luxury that does not happen often in the CIS," Piche said.
"Both Josh and Brad will be remembered when all is said and done."
The Gee-Gees are also actively participating in the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES.ca) True Sport program and have named six returning player-ambassadors to bring messages of sportsmanship, dedication and class to Ottawa-area high schools.
They are Sinopoli, fifth-year (CFl draft eligible) running back Craig Bearss, fourth-year receiver Cyril Adjeitey, Tetrault, fourth-year cornerback Chayce Elliott and fourth-year linebacker James McNaughton.
"The message is something we all convey," said Piche. "This is what sports is all about ... and I believe part of our mandate."
2009 GEE-GEES FOOTBALL SPRING CAMP AT MATT ANTHONY FIELD
Friday, April 3
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 4
10:00 - 11:45 a.m.
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 5
10:00 - 12:00 p.m. *
* Garnet vs. Grey scrimmage
Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees
