Emilio has spent his years in Calgary playing for two of the strongest programs in the city. The Notre Dame Pride and Calgary Cowboys are often at the top of their respective divisions. It is no coincidence that Emilio was a part of these programs and has now been recruited to play at the University of Calgary.
Emilio Gallotta
Position:
Linebacker
Height & Weight:
5’11, 205lbs
Teams:
Notre Dame High School
Calgary Cowboys (Atom-Midget)
Commitment:
University of Calgary
Class:
2012
The Calgary Cowboys minor team has produced another post secondary athlete. Emilio started his football career at the age of six back in atom with the Cowboys. There was no looking back from there. Nine seasons of minor ball and three seasons of high school later Emilio is looking at post secondary football.
Like many graduating football players he has made the decision to stay at home. However, unlike many, this decision is putting him on one of the best teams in the country. Lately the University of Calgary Dinos have consistently been a contender and it is because of recruits like Emilio that they are able to be so consistent.
“The thing that I love about football is that it is the ultimate team sport. One player does not make the team, it must be a group effort in order to succeed,” says Emilio.
Success on the field is something Emilio knows a bit about. This success culminated in 2010. Emilio started off the year with a division two city championship with the Calgary Cowboys midget team. He followed that up with a division one city championship with his high school program the Notre Dame Pride.
On a personal note Emilio has received some recognition as well. He was a captain for the Cowboys in his final two seasons as well as a captain for Notre Dame in grades ten and twelve. In 2011 he was named to both the midget and high school all-star teams and was named Notre Dames Defensive Player of the Year.
The high school championship was one of Emilio’s most memorable moments, but it wasn’t the only one he felt was worth mentioning.
“Winning a division 1 city championship with Notre Dame was a big one. However, on a personal note, one of my most memorable moments was getting the chance to play on the same team with my younger brother for my final season of midget” he says.
It is easy to see that family is something that is important to Emilio. Playing on the same team as his brother obviously was very significant for him. When asked about who he considers to be the most influential people in his life he did not hesitate in giving the credit to his parents.
“The most influential people in my life are my parents. They showed me that with hard work you can accomplish anything. That and them just being there for me has had the biggest impact on me.”
“Diluzio (Notre Dame Head Coach) and Al Cooper had the biggest influence with football. Cooper and the Cowboys organization taught me the basics of football and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
“When it comes to football Coach Diluzio has definitely made me a better player,” says Gallotta. “He showed me the kind of work ethic that is necessary in order to play at the next level. His influence has not only taught me the football skills but has taught me the valuable life skills required in order to be successful.”
Those skills are going to be very important in the coming years. Emilio has a few things he would like to get out of his time at the University of Calgary. As far as education is concerned he plans to graduate with an environmental science degree. When it comes to football he also has a specific goal in mind.
“I want to eventually be a part of a Dinos team that wins a Vanier Cup.”
Some might see this as a bit of a tough goal to accomplish. But Emilio has put himself in a position to succeed. The team he has chosen to play for and the attitude he has going in will only make this goal more achievable. The fact that the only goal he mentioned in terms of football was that he wants to be a part of a successful team speaks volumes. Now only time will tell.
