The Golden Hawks welcome their first commits of the 2017 recruitment period.
While they may not have met on the field, Aden Alkinani, a defensive back from Northern Collegiate Institute & Vocational School, and Alex Pigozzo, an offensive lineman from Resurrection Catholic Secondary School, will be teammates on the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, having been the team’s first commits of the 2017 recruiting class.
Aden Alkinani (#22) goes in for the tackle. By Wendy Labelle
Alkinani from Sarnia, Ontario, said he felt like he was home when he stepped onto the Laurier campus. “Everyone, from the coaches to the players, made me feel like I could come in, and with hard work, help contribute to the success of their program. As a defensive back, to be able to play with the best defence in the CIS, was an opportunity that I could not pass up,” he added.
The warm welcome from the coaching staff also aided in his decision to become a Golden Hawk. “Coach Faulds, Coach Cameron, Coach Flamia and the rest of the coaching staff made me feel welcomed and comfortable right from my first unofficial visit,” Alkinani said. “I like the direction they are taking the team and I really feel like they are the right group of coaches to help Laurier win the Vanier Cup.”
The 5’10, 175lbs corner has played for Northern Vikings (Lambton Kent Secondary School Athletic Association) and the London Jr. Mustangs (Ontario Varsity Football League) in his nine-year career. In 2014, he won the OVFL JV championships with the Mustangs. He also won three LKSSAA championships with the Vikings from 2013 to 2015. In 2014 and 2015, he played for Team West of the Ontario Prospect Challenge. He was also a member of the Team Ontario U17 in 2015.
Photo courtesy of Aden Alkinani
Alkinani said he is currently interested in going into kinesiology and health science or biology. He signed his letter of intent at Laurier’s homecoming on Saturday
“I have seen most teams play this year so far and I would say that Laurier is for sure at the top of the league. As a team, they are doing amazing and the defence has been phenomenal,” Alkinani said of his new team. “You can feel their energy on the field even when you are just watching the game. I definitely want to be part of that.”
Coach Dyane Cameron told Laurier Football that Alkinani is a highly intelligent and instructive player in the secondary. He said that, “He does not shy away from contact and likes to play press man coverage at the line of scrimmage. His attitude and work ethic are exceptional.”
Alex Pigozzo. Courtesy of the OVFL
Pigozzo will add plenty of size to the Goldenhawk’s offensive line, towering over opponents at 6’3, 280lbs. The Kitchener recruit is a member of the Resurrection Phoenix (Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association). He also played for the Cambridge Lions, who won the Ontario Varsity Football League championship this season. In 2016, he joined Laurier Offensive Line Coach Irv Daymond in Arlington TX, where he played with the Team Ontario Selects All-Stars against Team USA in the International Bowl.
In a recent interview with Laurier football,Head Coach Michael Faulds stated that they were really excited to add a local player as talented as Alex to their 2017 recruiting class. They believe that Alex will be a great addition to the offensive line and will excel he in their business program.
Alex stated in that same interview that he chose the Golden Hawks because of the academic and football environments of Laurier, which he calls a tight-knit community where he feels like family.
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