Today, CFC shines the spotlight on Class 2012 offensive lineman and recent St. Francis Xavier University commit, Stefano Bartolacci. Stefano began his football career in grade 10 with the Halifax Chargers.
Stefano Bartolacci
Positions:
Offensive Line
Height/Weight:
6’1, 295 lbs
Teams:
Citadel Phoenix (high school: NSSAFFL)
Halifax Seahawks (junior varsity: NSVFL)
Halifax Chargers
Commitment:
Commitment to St. Francis Xavier University
Class:
2012
Among the teams that Stefano has played for include the Halifax Chargers and the Halifax Seahawks of the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL).
As a member of the Citadel Phoenix of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL), the offensive lineman got to experience the taste of excellence and victory. During his high school career, Stefano won two consecutive league Tier 1 championship titles (2010, 2011) with the Phoenix.
This past fall, Stefano experienced a great gridiron moment at Dalhousie Wickwire Field in a highly anticipated NSSAFFL matchup.
“My most memorable football experience was returning an on-side kick for about 50 yards against Sir John A this year,” says the Phoenix offensive lineman.
After Stefano graduates from high school, he will make the move to Antigonish so he can attend St. Francis Xavier (St. F.X.) University. Not only did he commit to the school recently because of the strength of its football program, but also due to academic reasons.
“I picked St. F.X. because it was the only school I talked to that had any sort of engineering program and I liked the overall feel of the program,” explains the future X-Men player.
For all the accomplishments Stefano has achieved on and off the field, he credits one individual in particular, for being a steady, yet positive influence in all aspects of his life.
“The most influential person in my life and football has to be my older brother,” comments the standout. “He was the one who got me in to football and is always giving me advice about everything.”
Away from the gridiron, Stefano not only excels in football. He is an accomplished rugby player. In grade 11, the student athlete was rookie of the year for the Citadel Phoenix team.
Academically, the Phoenix offensive lineman will enroll in the engineering program at St.F.X. with the ultimate career goal of becoming a mechanical or chemical engineer.
Consequently from the game of football, Stefano has learned two key things which in turn, he hopes will lead him to further achievements on and off the field.
“Football has taught me that determination and effort can get you anywhere you want to be in life,” says Stefano.
Phoenix co-head coach Jeff Lawley has coached the offensive lineman during his high school career and comments on his playing style.
“Stefano is a physically dominant, ‘road grading’ style of offensive lineman,” summarizes the Phoenix co-head coach. “His enthusiasm and passion for the game is evident in his style of play on the field.”
Moreover, Stefano is training rigorously in the offseason so that he is successful in making the transition from high school to university football.
“I know he is working hard in the gym to increase his strength which will allow him to compete at the next level,” adds Lawley. “We wish him all the best at St.F.X. and look forward to his future development.”
Video of Stefano’s Football Highlights:
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