#CFCOPC: LB Gleeson’s strong work ethic

Lancers standout considering multiple OUA options.

Elmira Lancers linebacker Alex Gleeson hopes by putting in the hard work, it will pay off in dividends when it comes to his gridiron future.

Alex Gleeson

Positions:
Linebacker

Height/Weight:
6’1, 180 lbs

Teams:
Ursuline College Chatham (high school: WCSSAA)
Chatham Kent Cougars (OFC)
Essex Ravens (OVFL)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Consideration:
McMaster, Carleton, Guelph, Western, Windsor, Open

Class:
2018

Alex Gleeson first tested the football waters in 2009 as a member of the Chatham Kent Cougars in house league.

“That’s where I found my love for the game and brought out the drive in me to play as much football as I could, playing house league and Cougar Travel until 2014,” he says. “Competing as much as I did led to multiple awards in both travel and house league teams, being used wherever the coach needed me.”

In the fall of 2014, Alex was given a chance to play against elite players from all across Ontario.

“My friend Brandon Tatsu reached out to me with an opportunity to play OVFL for the Essex Ravens, coached by Glenn Mills,” Alex says. “The Ravens then taught me a lot more about the game than I’ve ever seen. My dedication to the team and game presented me with Most Improved Player of the team. Loving the perspective of the game the Ravens brought, I played for the JV team in the summer of 2015 and 2016. I also proudly represented Ontario in the Spalding Cup this summer and brought back a bronze medal.”

The experience of playing in the Spalding Cup was special for him.

“The highlight of last season was definitely being able to go down to the Spalding Cup, because it opened my eyes to a possible future ahead of me at the CIS level,” he says. “We were treated like CIS players living at the University of Carleton being surrounded by some of the best coaches in the province, which taught me a lot in terms of perspectives of the game that I’ve never seen before. It was also my highlight because it was the first time I’ve been able to represent my province, which put a different type of weight on my shoulders.”

The recruitment process has been challenging so far.

“It’s been a battle thus far, trying to get recruited, because I’ve been trying to work my ass off in practice and in the off-season, but my reps don’t seem to be reflecting it,” Alex says. “I just tell myself that I can do it and try to work extra hard every day, because if I don’t, I know that universities will just look at someone who worked the day I didn’t and got better.”

Alex hasn’t visited any universities yet, but he’s interested in several schools including the University of Windsor, McMaster University, Carlton University, University of Guelph and Western University.

His coaches have been a major influence throughout his football journey.

“The most influential people in my life are definitely my coaches, because they have taught me a lot in terms of the game and how to be a man,” he says. “As coach Kennedy once told us, ‘Be proud of who you are…When you’re talking to someone, stand up tall, stick your chest out and be confident. That’s the only way you’ll ever be successful in life.’”

For training, Alex has a routine that he follows.

“My training regimen has been going to Peak Athletic Training and being taught different exercises two nights a week, and then taking them to the gym and working on them to work on my speed, core and vertical,” Alex says.

He enjoyed the #CFCOPC experience, which taught him the value of hard work.

“OPC has been a very good experience for me putting in work and being able to show what I can do in a bigger atmosphere playing in Tim Hortons Field,” he says.

His education plans for university are to major in criminology and then become a police officer.

Alex Gleeson 2

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