Ottawa – Offensive lineman Stéphane Tanguay recently signed with NCAA Simon Fraser University. Tanguay will be playing NCAA Division 2 football with The Clan starting September 2014. Originally in the spring 2013, Tanguay had committed and signed with the Carleton Ravens. At first admitted to Carleton University in Biomedical Engineering, the 6’6, 310 lbs offensive lineman giant had a change of heart academically.
“After reflecting on my academic options, I decided to go into Kinesiology, a program not available at Carleton University,” explained Tanguay. “The dream was always to play NCAA football.”
“I have only great things to say about Coach Steve Sumarah and the rest of the Ravens. I will be ever grateful for the opportunity they gave me, the guidance and counsel they provided during the recruitment period. They made me feel part of the Ravens family. It was a very hard decision to make, but I believe it is the right one for me.”
The recent hiring by the Clan of renowned head coach Jacques Chapdelaine was an important factor in Tanguay’s decision.
“Coach Chapdelaine has the knowledge and experience to transform any football team into a championship program,” expressed Tanguay following a recent official visit to Simon Fraser University . “He has shown this time and time again with a Vanier Cup and three Grey Cup championships.”
“He took the time to welcome me to the school and to the team. I felt at home right away.”
The top ranked offensive lineman has received multiple awards and recognition this year. . He was named to the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) All-Star team after his second season playing with the Ottawa Sooners of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). He was awarded Lineman of the year with the Ottawa Sooners, Team MVP with the Embrun Secondary Cyclones football team and was team captain for all three teams he played on in 2013 (Ottawa Sooners, OVFL Cumberland Panthers and Embrun Secondary Cyclones).
“I started playing 5 years ago with the Russell Renegades minor football team and I have not stopped since” commented Tanguay.
Playing two or three seasons a year, with the help and assistance of many coaches locally and abroad, Tanguay has improved his talents and skills and it has been recognized. Tanguay has been ranked nationally as a CFC TOP 100 player and he was one of 10 Canadians invited to the US Army All-American combine in San Antonio, Texas last January.
In addition to playing with his high school team at ESC Embrun, Tanguay has learned the ropes of the game by playing among many teams such as Russell Renegades, Gloucester South Raiders of the NCAFA league, Cumberland Panthers of the OVFL and Ottawa Sooners of the CJFL. During that time he has earned many accolades and awards.
”But what really impressed me about Tanguay is his work ethic, his commitment to his team and his desire to learn.” added Cumberland Panthers head coach Scott Westlake.
Tanguay will starts his NCAA football career with the Clan when Simon Fraser hosts Menlo College Oaks in Burnaby, B.C. for an out of conference game on Saturday September 6th, 2014 at 12:00 pm.
(Source: Denis Tanguay)
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