Brendan Festeryga
Positions:
Quarterback
Height/Weight:
6’3, 200 lbs
Teams:
Dalhousie Tigers (college: AFL)
Citadel Phoenix (high school: NSSAFFL)
Halifax Raiders (peewee)
When he was 11 years of age, Brendan started his football journey with the Halifax Raiders football organization. He would play for the Raiders for three seasons. During his last two seasons there, the team won Provincial and Maritime Championship titles.
Brendan experienced great success playing high school football for the Citadel Phoenix of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL). Not only was he part of the team’s success in winning two consecutive titles in his grade 11 and 12 years, but he was rewarded for his exceptional play on the field. The league selected the offensive standout to the first all-star team at the quarterback position. Moreover, he was named Phoenix offensive MVP.
“My whole grade 12 season at Citadel was unreal and something I’ll never forget,” comments Brendan of his experience with the Phoenix. “But specifically, going 12 for 12 with five touchdowns in just over a half of football against Cobequid Cougars in our Turkey Bowl that year was incredible.”
This fall, the young quarterback started his third season for the Dalhousie Tigers of the Atlantic Football League (AFL); however, his season ended prematurely due to a broken finger thumb, sustained two weeks ago against the Holland College Hurricanes in a regular season game in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. In his rookie campaign with the Tigers, he was awarded team offensive MVP.
“My best AFL memory is when I threw for 400 yards and six touchdowns in a narrow win against Holland College in my first year,” adds Brendan of his time with the Tigers.
Speaking of the Holland College Hurricanes, the Tigers pivot says he enjoys every opportunity to play them on their home turf.
“Playing at Holland College is exciting because they are a good team,” explains Brendan. “I liked the playing surface more when we played on the turf there in my first year, but the stands on the grass field are better and allow for more fans to watch which is probably why they switched, which makes sense.”
“It’s a family atmosphere there, a lot of parents with their young kids watching.”
Over the course of his gridiron career, Brendan has been fortunate yet grateful for people who’ve been positive yet supportive and encouraging influences on him.
“My parents of course, whether it’s getting me up and driving me to 7am practices or just talking strategy with my dad,” reflects the Tigers quarterback. “My head coach now (Stuart MacLean) has been coaching me since I was 11 years old, with the exception of my grade 10 year at Citadel, and taught me the importance of having poise and exuding confidence at the Quarterback position.”
“My head coach at Citadel, and for my first two years at Dal, Coach Mike Tanner, has also been a big influence and I hope to help him coach Citadel as an assistant when I graduate.”
While attending Dalhousie University, Brendan is working towards completing an honours degree in philosophy. Furthermore, the student-athlete has been preparing to take his LSAT exams as he has future academic aspirations of attending law school. Since he also has an interest in business, he would like to complete a Master’s of Business Administration in the future.
Through football, Brendan has learned the recipe for success.
“I’ve learned how important preparation is to success,” says the Tigers quarterback. “You always get out what you put in.”
Tigers head coach Stuart MacLean has instructed Brendan since high school and explains the major reason he’s been able to succeed on the field are due to his approach to the game and his playing style.
“Brendan is a great quarterback with strong ball handling skills and a great arm,” assesses MacLean. “He is not the type to jump up and down and get excited.”
His even temperament serves him well as he does not panic in any situation. He is also fearless, will stand in the pocket and take a hit to deliver his pass, and will tuck the ball and run when necessary.”
In the last three seasons, Brendan has played a significant role with the team and has proven to be an asset due to the intangibles he brings on and off the field.
“He is in his third year as a Dalhousie Tiger and has been the starter in every game of his AFL career,” comments MacLean. “In essence, he has started all of the games since the inception of the team three years ago.”
“As a player, he has the respect of his teammates and coaches.”
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