Saskatchewan Huskies’ coaches strong credentials draws in 3

Saskatchewan adds two local commits and one northern Saskatchewan commit to their Class of 2018.

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies pack has grown a little bit larger with the additions of receiver Steven Gilewicz from Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, defensive back Matt Digout from Aden Bowman Collegiate and linebacker Zach Richardson from Melfort High School.

Steven Gilewicz

If you’re a football fan in a city with a football team, it’s easy to get to know the program. Just ask Steven Gilewicz, who calls Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, his home.

“I decided on the University of Saskatchewan because it’s definitely the program that I am the most familiar with,” Gilewicz said. “I really love what Coach Flory has done with the team over the past year and just the whole aspect of being apart of the team.”

Behind every great head coach is a strong coaching staff. Gilewicz described the Huskies’ coaches as “unreal. So many of the coaches have such great experience at all levels of football as players and as coaches.”

The staff welcomed Gilewicz into the fold without haste. “They’re all very welcoming and nice, but also very driven to help the team succeed and win and I’m very eager to learn from all of them.”

He added that the university is a very good school and “it is nice to stay home and continue my education as well as playing football.” The 5’11, 175lbs slotback is interested in taking kinesiology. He hopes to take the kinesiology-education joint program.

From grade 10 to 12, Gilewicz played with the Holy Cross Crusaders (Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate). He also played for the bantam Tinkler Raiders (Kinsmen Football League). In 2014, he won the Red River Cup with Team North Saskatchewan U16 as a quarterback. He captured back-to-back 4A City Championships with the Crusaders in 2015 and 2016.

“I just want to credit all of my coaches I’ve had in the past… guys like Chris and Brian Gibson, Bailey Folkerson, Andrew Coffin. All of those coaches really showed me how to work hard and inspired me to be better,” Gilewicz said of his Raiders’ coaches.

“Also, I really need to thank the Holy Cross coaching staff, Scott Hundseth, Brett Czarnota, Rob Reverine and all the other coaches for helping me grow and develop as a player, showing me how to win and how to be a better player and a better person.”

Beyond excited to be continuing my football career with the University of Saskatchewan! Super humbled by this opportunity and pumped for what’s to come ? #committothes #huskies #grateful

A post shared by Steven (@sgilewicz27) on Nov 30, 2017 at 5:39pm PST

Matt Digout

When it comes to choosing a university, why not go with what you know? Matt Digout did when he decided to stay in his hometown of Saskatoon to continue his football and educational career.

“I committed to UofS because I wanted to stay home and my brother played five years there and loved it,” Digout said. “I (also) love the coaching staff, have had many opportunities to play for some of the coaches and (I’m) excited to be coached by them again.”

The 5’11, 185lbs cornerback has been playing football since he was old enough to join the peewee Ledingham Steelers (KFL). He spent three years with the Aden Bowman Bears (SSSAD) starting in grade ten. He also represented Saskatchewan on the provincial U16, U17 and U18 teams.

The potential kinesiology student won a provincial championship in his first year of bantam football. While with the U16 Team Saskatchewan squad, he won silver. He captured another silver at the 2017 Football Canada Cup with the U18 edition of the team.

Zach Richardson

Zach Richardson calls the small, northern Saskatchewan community of Melfort his home. It is roughly two hours north-east of Saskatoon.

“I chose the UofS because it is a situation that works best for me and my family and what I want to do for my education, and the opportunity to play for a great team made it an easy decision,” he said. His father also played football for the Huskies.

“The coaching staff is awesome,” he added. “They were extremely genuine with me and their experience is something that will be extremely helpful for me to be able to keep learning and getting better.”

Richardson spent three years with the Melfort Comets (Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association) and three with the Regina Thunder (CJFL). He didn’t play linebacker until the Senior Bowl, but the position stuck with him throughout his Thunder career. In 2015, his team won the 3A 9-man provincial championship. At the end of his grade 12 year, he was given the coaches’ award.

He is interested in kinesiology with plans of applying to law school.