After a 15-year absence, the Carleton Ravens football team is resuming play in the CIS and OUA. Carleton will travel to London, Ont., on Monday, Sept. 2 to take on the Western Mustangs and begin their 2013 OUA schedule. Players from Ottawa and beyond, from different backgrounds start their season with shared excitement this week.
Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah and his staff have been diligently at work building toward the start of training camp, which opened today, and ultimately the first game of the new football season and era.
“With training camp underway and the season weeks away, the excitement is everywhere,” said Sumarah. “Watching the players and families arrive and seeing the energy and enthusiasm they have is very rewarding and exciting at the same time.”
Each player is entering training camp with a unique background and the shared goal of contributing to the Carleton Ravens football tradition.
“I am looking forward to seeing what Carleton tradition is all about,” said Matt Lapointe, Ravens offensive lineman and International affairs graduate student. “I have heard that it was quite the experience 15 years ago. I was at a banquet earlier this summer and I had the opportunity to sit with a group of alumni, including former players. These were the guys who were largely responsible for bringing the team back. The stories they shared really inspired me to make this season special.”
“I am coming from St. Mary’s University in Halifax, where I played under coach Sumarah in 2011,” said Jesse Mills, Ravens quarterback and interdisciplinary studies major. “Last year, I played here in Ottawa for the Sooners. When I saw the plan to bring the program back and I saw everyone’s excitement, the decision to attend Carleton was a no-brainer.
“I am looking forward to the Panda game. It will be big. I have been talking to alumni and they are very excited about it too. I think it will be tremendous.”
Other players are from Ottawa and will be experiencing CIS level football for the first time.
“I am an Ottawa native and I played for Myers Riders last year,” said Nick Gorgichuk, a Ravens quarterback, who is studying psychology. “The biggest adjustment for me will involve the speed and flow of the game. I will be playing against older guys who basically make up an all-star team every weekend. This is a significant step up in talent.
“I am excited for the opportunity to lay the foundation for a new program here in my home town. It is a unique opportunity, maybe once in a lifetime.
“I am interested in seeing what the student-athlete lifestyle will be like. Obviously, I am here first and foremost to get a first–class education. I am anticipating a lot of changes and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
“We are very excited about the start of the 2013 football season,” said Jennifer Brenning, director of recreation and athletics. “This will be the first time we have seen a Ravens football jersey on a Carleton student-athlete in 15 years, it is a historic day for the University. We are very proud of our coaching staff on how they are building this program and look forward to seeing the team develop over the coming weeks for this inaugural season.
Getting to this point has been a team effort featuring the invaluable contributions made by the Old Crows and Carleton alumni who raised more than $5 million for the team. The team will be fully funded by Old Crows Football. This alumni group will receive financial support through donations, sponsorship proceeds, gate receipts and ongoing fundraising activities.
Tickets for Ravens home games can be purchased at: www.curavenstickets.com
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For more information
Steven Reid
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
(613) 520-2600, ext. 8718
(613) 240-3305
Steven_Reid3@Carleton.ca
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Thursday, August 15, 2013 in News Releases
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