QB Casey ready to make family history with Bishop’s

Bishop’s brings in another Québec commit to their Class of 2017.

For Stephen Casey, a quarterback from Champlain College Saint Lambert, having a chance to play football with the Bishop’s Gaiters is an accomplishment that transcends family history.

“My dad played lacrosse, hockey and football back in the day, but unfortunately wasn’t given the opportunity to play at the university level,” Casey said. “So, for him to see his son make it to the university level, it’s definitely something we are both extremely proud of.”

With a flair for athleticism taken from his father, Casey’s football has introduced one of his biggest supporters to the sport. At the age of 12, he stepped out onto the gridiron for the first time. In the early days, he said his mother didn’t have much of an understanding of the game.

“But now that she’s seen me play for ten years, she’s practically a coach,” he said. “She is my biggest inspiration and my biggest motivator. Making her proud is one of the best feelings in the world to me.”

In his early career, he played with Les Grizzlis de Boucherville (Québec Midget Football League) and spent one year with the Greenfield Park Packers. He spent two cégep years with the Champlain Cavaliers (RSEQ Division 3) before joining the South Shore Junior Bruizers in the Québec Junior Football League for two years.

Now, he will be suiting up for the Gaiters. “When I visited the campus, I felt very welcomed by everyone there and it seemed like everyone got along very well with each other. I could feel a strong sense of community and school spirit amongst the students and residents in Lennoxville,” Casey said, adding that he feels Bishop’s is the best fit for him as a student athlete.

While with the Cavaliers, Casey said he played a similar offensive system as that of Coach Boies’s, the Gaiters’ offensive coordinator. He added that he is excited to play for Boies: “His track record shows that his offense can move the ball and score efficiently.”

His offensive coordinator at Champlain, Coach Mike Bird, has the same McGill coaching background as Boies. “That’s another reason why I felt Bishop’s was a good fit for me. I also felt very comfortable around the coaches and they really made me feel like they wanted me there,” Casey said.

Along with the chance to play under Boies, Casey said he is overall excited about the team’s coaching staff: “Coach Cherif comes from a winning background at Cégep du Vieux Montréal and I could already tell he’s brought that winning mentality to Bishop’s.”

What also drew Casey to Bishop’s was the campus size. “I like the fact that it’s a smaller school because I can develop better relationships with both the students and the teachers,” he said. “I also like how the school has everything I need on campus in order to succeed as a student-athlete.” He is interesting in majoring in sociology and minoring in criminology.

As time marches forward, Casey has not been immune to its influence. When he was 15, he won a Ballon d’Argent in the Montréal Metro Bantam League with the Boucherville Grizzlis. “Since then, I felt I was overlooked many times. I didn’t win any all-star awards or anything of that matter until I joined the Junior Bruizers,” he said.

In his first year with the team in 2015, he was a league all-star. His team came up short in the championship game however. “That off-season, I trained more than I ever trained,” he said. “Corny, I know, but it’s true and it paid off.” The next season, he helped lead an undefeated Junior Bruizers team to a championship win. He was named the league offensive MVP and a league all-star.

Through all that the 5’10, 185lbs athlete from Boucherville, Québec, has seen, he has never been alone for one moment of his journey. “From day one, my parents and sisters have been my number one fans. I want to thank them all for their support, coming to my games and cheering me on and filming the games and helping me make my highlight tape,” Casey said.

“My sisters, though they are both younger than me, are ironically my biggest protectors. Anytime I’d get hit, they’d cuss that player out. I know they’ve got my back and I’ve got theirs” he added.

Casey took some time to thank his cégep coaches, Coach Bird, Coach Chagnon, Coach Luke and Coach Chris, for teaching him the most he has ever learned about football. “I also want to thank my Junior Bruizers coach, Simon, for giving me an opportunity to play and showcase my skills. I am very grateful to him,” he added.

Among his long-list of supporters, he gave thanks to his friends, Ka-Po, James, Will, May, Marilou, Lauren and Mel for coming to his games and supporting him. His workout group at Next Level Training, Dalton, Tommy, Eric, Myles, Jeremy and trainer Shawn Mayne, also received thanks. “They pushed me everyday to become better,” Casey said.

“I love all these people I have mentioned. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Ex-Junior Bruizers championship QB joins @BishopsGaiters football. #bleedpurple #gaiternation https://t.co/PDXQJE2DR9 pic.twitter.com/o3NOoGANfj

— Cherif Nicolas (@GaitersHC) February 24, 2017