In his shoes: Brad Sinopoli

It goes without saying that fourth-year quarterback Brad Sinopoli, Peterborough, Ont., is having a career season for the uOttawa Gee-Gees. He currently leads all CIS quarterbacks in attempts in a season (272), completions in a season (165), yards per game this season (364.6), touchdowns (21), and passing yards in a season (2552).

Indeed his most impressive stat would be his 2552 passing yards in seven regular season games, which puts him within reach of becoming the all-time CIS leader in passing yards with one game to go. We recently had a chance to catch up with Brad to get some of his thoughts on the season so far.

How’s Brad today?
Doing good, body feels good and well rested. In an okay mood, I am in midterms right now, so once I get passed those I will be all right.

Can you share some of your thoughts on the season so far?
I think it’s been pretty successful so far, except for that one road bump in Toronto. I think it’s been what we all expected as players and coaches; we’ve kind of lived up to that so far. And I don’t think other people really expected us to be here at six and one, especially with J.P. (Asselin) our new head coach and how young he is. So yeah, I feel good; I think we are on the right track.

What keeps you motivated as a student-athlete?
The fact that if you do not pass your classes, you can’t play. That’s the biggest thing, but if you do well you can also get some money through scholarships. For some people, it’s kind of hard to realize how much time you have to put into it, and I think that if you don’t love it that much then there is no way you will be able to get by, and get through it. I don’t know. It’s just that you love the game so much that you will do whatever it takes to stay in it, and be successful.

What would a national championship mean for you and this team?
It would mean everything; everything we worked for will have paid off. We have a lot of fifth-year guys right now who have been close; they have been to the Yates Cup and the Mitchell Bowl. They are itching to get back to that game, and get back to the top. People are talking right now about numbers, the records and stuff like that, but I don’t care. I look at last year, like Dan Brannagan and Michael Faulds. Mike Faulds has all the records, but Danny has a Vanier Cup. I think I would rather have a Vanier Cup than any sort of statistical record, or anything like that.

Often it is the media who places so much emphasis on individual performance, and breaking records. What do records mean for you? I mean, is it a conscious effort on your part, or just part of the game?
It’s part of the game, like you said, media puts attention on it right. I don’t even think we were aware of it until people started saying like “you know you are this close, there is a couple games left, you have to do this, and you just did this” and all that stuff. But we just look at it as okay we are being successful right now, and you can’t put more pressure on yourself because the media starts bringing it up and you start thinking about it; it might stray you away from what you normally do. It just so happens that it’s kind of like the side effect of going for our ultimate goal. I don’t know, it is what it is, whether I pass for 300 or 500. As long as we get the win, you know. I just don’t put that much emphasis on it really.

So what’s next for Brad Sinopoli?
Uh, I have no idea. (laughs) Well the Guelph game for now, and then we get that bye week, rest, and I don’t know see where it goes from there I guess. To be honest I have no idea, it’s hard looking into the future and figure what’s going to go on.

Football (6-1 OUA, 6-2 Overall)
Host Guelph (4-3 OUA), Saturday, October 23, 1:00 p.m.at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.

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Make sure to catch Brad in action this weekend as he and the uOttawa Gee-Gees host Guelph in their final home game of the regular season this Saturday, October 23, 1:00 p.m. at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa. With a win, the garnet and grey can clinch top spot in the OUA standings.
In support of the University of Ottawa’s United Way campaign, the Gee-Gees will be donating a portion of the proceeds from all advance ticket sales. Help support the Gee-Gees and the United Way by taking advantage of special pricing for uOttawa students, staff and alumni. Tickets are only $6 each. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to show your school spirit.

Tickets will be on sale in the Tabaret Rotunda Wednesday, October 20 to Friday, October 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the Client Services counter at the uOttawa Sports Complex (801 King Edward) or by calling the Gee-Gees Ticket Office at 613-562-5800 ext. 4337.

The Gee-Gees will also be hosting their first playoff game on November 6, 2010 for the OUA semi-final, and a chance to advance to the Yates Cup final. Game time is yet to be determined, but they will either play at 1:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. November 6, depending on the Saturday, October 23 results versus Guelph.