Mustangs ‘incredible sense of family’ draws two

Mustangs add one Ontario commit and one out-of-province commit to their 2018 class.

Defensive ends Daniel Skutta from St. Thomas More Catholic High School and CFC100 Aidan John from Citadel High School may not have hit the field for the Western Mustangs yet, however they already feel apart of the team.

Daniel Skutta

Home is where your family is, and Daniel Skutta is about to have two homes. While he was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, he is already becoming accustom to London, Ontario. “I picked Western for the incredible sense of family that was within the school and football team. It made me feel like I was home and the attitude that they had was similar to the attitude of both the St. Thomas More Knights and the Varsity TiCats,” he said.

Courtesy of Daniel Skutta.

“After being able to sit down and talk to Coach Circelli and listen to everything he had to say, I felt like I was already apart of the team,” he added. “I felt me and the coach made a great connection instantly and I felt really comfortable with him helping me progress in my football career not only as a player but as an individual.”

Skutta is also in awe with Head Coach Greg Marshall, who he said is a legend in the Canadian football world. “Being able to receive the same coaching that my coaches received is an opportunity I wouldn’t want to miss,” he said.

In terms of academics, Skutta intends on studying English with the aspirations of becoming a sports journalist. He said that academically, the school felt like a perfect fit for him. “I got to talk to some of the staff at King’s, where I intend on going, and they were incredibly nice,” he added.

Silvia, the football academic advisor, was also an extremely important part in me choosing Western as I feel she is someone who is dedicated to making sure other players and I achieve the maximum we can out of the years we attend Western.”

Before joining the STM Knights (HWCAA), Skutta played for the MM Robinson Rams (HSSAA). He also played summer ball with the Hamilton Varsity Tiger-Cats (OFC). The 6’5, 230lbs lineman won an OFC championship in 2016. “Sadly, I missed the opportunity to be really apart of the St. Thomas More team this year due to injury, otherwise I would’ve been able to win a banner for my school,” he said.

“I really want to thank my coaches at STM and the TiCats for making this happen for me. I feel being able to learn from Jeff Robertshaw was extremely helpful and I’m looking forward to making both coaches at STM and the TiCats proud,” Skutta added.

Skutta would also like to thank his brothers, Michael Chris-Ike, Oliver Muembi and Dawlson Bourdages for helping him stay focused “and being there for me when it matters most, especially Michael.”

CFC100 Aidan John

Courtesy of Aidan John.

When Aidan John visited the Mustangs, he noticed something about the culture of the team. “What appealed to me was how the team was more like a family,” he said. “I also really like the coaching staff, especially Coach Circelli. I’m excited to work with him for the next four to five years.”

John’s career is relatively short and yet it is already fruitful. Spanning only two seasons, John is a two-time provincial champion with the Citadel Phoenix (NSSAAFL). He is also the NSSAAFL’s defensive player of the league. The 6’5, 230lbs product of Halifax, Nova Scotia, is interested in sociology or psychology.

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