Class 2012: Defensive star Rey Arcega thunders into University of British Columbia (Video)

Today, CFC shines the spotlight on Class 2012 star defensive tackle and recent University of British Columbia commit, Rey Arcega. Rey began his career at 11 years of age.

Rey Arcega

Positions:
Defensive Lineman (Nose Tackle)

Height/Weight:
6’2, 315 lbs

Teams:
Central Memorial Rams (high school)
Calgary Wildcats (peewee/bantam/midget)
Team Alberta

Commitment:
Commitment to University of British Columbia

Class:
2012

When Rey started his football career, he suited up for the peewee Calgary Wildcats. For five seasons, he would continue to play for the Wildcats at the bantam and midget levels. The defensive standout went on to play high school football for the Central Memorial Rams.

“I chose to play senior football in grade 10 because I wanted to play with my older brother Marco Arcega and to challenge myself at the level,” adds Rey who also represented his home province as a member of Team Alberta at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge last summer. “It was the first time in my high school’s history that a Grade 10 student was ever allowed to play on the senior team.”

The highlight of the Rams defensive lineman involves his brother Marco.

“I would have to say that my most memorable football experience was when I got to play with my brother who is two years older than me in my grade nine year with the midget Wildcats, and in my grade 10 year at Central Memorial,” says Rey, who selected to the Alberta South bantam all-star game last summer.

Undoubtedly, Marco has been the greatest yet positive influence on Rey’s football career and in life.

“He has taught me the meaning of sacrifice and commitment to a level that I would have never had reached on my own,” speaks Rey of his brother’s steady influence.

Over the course of his football career, Rey has been decorated with many awards and honours. Those include Rams mos timproved player (2009), Rams most valuable lineman (2010), Rams defensive most valuable player (2011), and Wildcats outstanding lineman (2011).

The Rams defensive star says that he has very protective nature on the field and that oozes into all aspects of his life.

“Even though I am a nose tackle and it’s my job to make the quarterback scramble for his life, if I was told to switch to offensive line, I would never hesitate to give it all I had as much as I did on defensive line to protect him with my life,” explains Rey. “The biggest side of me is my protective instincts and how they shape who I am both as a player and a person, and football has done everything to amplify that trait.”

Once he graduates from Central Memorial this June, the Rams defensive star will move out west to continue his football and academic career. Recently, Rey committed to the University of British Columbia (UBC). One of the main reasons he chose the school is geographical.

“I have asthma and I react to dry grass, excessive pollen and dry weather, and Vancouver is always humid and wet; therefore, making it an ideal weather condition suitable for my health needs,” explains the future Thunderbirds player. “My brother will be attending Simon Fraser University (SFU) and hopefully play for the SFU Clan this year and it would be great to know that were only 40 minutes away from each other.”

Moreover, Rey was impressed by the school’s academic and football programs.

“UBC has the program I am interested in majoring in is Kinesiology, and I have been aware of the program’s good reputation out there,” comments the defensive star. “Another reason, that I chose UBC is because I attended an FBU camp at the UBC campus and was very impressed with the football program and coaching staff that I met on the weekend I attended in March 2011.”

There are many long term football and career goals Rey has set for himself.

“I plan to attend UBC this year and to work for a dressing spot with the Thunderbirds and to keep moving forward with my schooling so that I can earn a degree in Human Kinetics and Kinesiology,” comments Rey. “I wish to become a sports physiotherapist after I graduate in 2017.”

As he prepares to embark on the next chapter, Rey will continue to use the recipe that’s netted him success on and off the field.

“The lessons learned from my time playing football have been discipline, motivation, teamwork, commitment, sacrifice, and brotherhood; the will to win and to die for the guy next to me and knowing my opponent as well as myself on the field,” says Rey. “All of these aspects tie into regular life just as they do on the field.”

Video of Rey’s Football Highlights:

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