Local recruit makes “pipeline dream” come true with SMU (VIDEO)

Fall River quarterback joins AUS team’s 2016 class.

Cameron Valardo has realized a childhood dream.

This week, the 6’0, 205 pound quarterback from Fall River, Nova Scotia committed with the Saint Mary’s Huskies.  Valardo will join the team for the 2016 AUS season.

“The reason I chose St. Mary’s is because of a personal connection to the school and program,” expressed Valardo of his decision.  “Growing up in the Halifax area, I was no stranger to the SMU football games.”

“I remember coming home from school one day to find the Vanier Cup sitting on my dining room table after the Huskies went back to back in ‘02 and looking at my dad and saying “I will play for that team one day”.  So growing up it was always the pipeline dream.”

Additionally, academics played a significant factor in his choice.

“Saint Mary’s also provides a top notch business program that will allow me to excel as a student athlete and provide me with a good base for later on careers,” added the Nova Scotia pivot.

Ultimately, the opportunity to work with the Huskies coaching staff proved to be too good of an offer to pass up in Valardo’s view.

“On top of all of that my true deciding factor was Coach AJ Tufford,” added Valardo.  “Coach Tufford is going into his second season at SMU and he was a massive influence on my signing.”

“The amount of respect and trust I have in Coach is second to none. Coach [Bryce] Fisher has also been a huge influence on my football development.  With both Coach Fisher and Tufford, there I feel that SMU has a very good chance at success in the near future. After looking over my other options it was clear SMU was the right fit for both me and my family.”

This past season, Valardo guided Citadel Phoenix of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) to their second consecutive Provincial Tier 1 Championship. In 2015, the pivot completed 125 passes in 172 attempts (72 percent completion rate), 2163 passing yards (17.3 yards per completion), 20 touchdowns and six interceptions.  Additionally, he rushed for 159 yards on 20 carries (average of 7.95 yards per carry) and a touchdown.

“Cam has shown that he is a great student athlete; he has excelled in the classroom and on the field,” commented Huskies Interim Head Coach AJ Tufford. “We are very excited to welcome such an intelligent quarterback who possesses a dynamic skill set.”

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