Ontarian and Québécois commits join uOttawa

Gee-Gees 2017 class grows by two more commits.

Sometimes all you need is a little spark to ignite your interests and that’s what Nate Lufuluabo, a cornerback from Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy, and Ryan Astrom, a quarterback from Crestwood Secondary School, got before choosing to commit to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Nate Lufuluabo

Courtesy of Nate Lufuluabo.

Courtesy of Nate Lufuluabo.

uOttawa has a unique position as a bilingual school, something of which appealed to Nate Lufuluabo. “The chance to attend a bilingual school where I can study in French and in English is a good thing for me I think because I’m trying to become a perfectly bilingual person,” he said.

Lufuluabo, who will be taking Civil Engineering, said he also picked uOttawa because that field of study and their co-op program are some of the best in the country. The 6’0, 190lbs Montréaler is looking forward to suiting up with the Gee-Gees as well. “The coaches are building something good there and I want to be part of it,” he said.

Montréaler Lufuluabo has spent his career dabbling in both Québec and Ontario. In 2013, he played with the Sun Youth Hornets (QMFL) before playing with the Bel-Air Noresmen (National Capital Amateur Football Association) the following year. He played one season with Le Notre-Dame du CDNF in 2015. While he was supposed to hit the field again this season, he was kept back due to personal problems.

The young football player has only spent three years in the sport. Prior to 2013, he played soccer. He knows, however, he wouldn’t be the player he is today without his coaches. He said, “I just want to give a special shout-out to Marc-André Dion, the head coach at CNDF, and Simon-Pierre Coulomb, a former defensive back coach at CNDF, who helped me to become the player I’m today with their feedback and advice. Thank you coaches!”

Ryan Astrom

Ryan Astrom signs his LOI at Crestwood. Courtesy of Ryan Astrom.

Ryan Astrom signs his LOI at Crestwood. Courtesy of Ryan Astrom.

Ryan Astrom was honest when he said he wasn’t considering uOttawa. But, one chance meeting at a Team Ontario tryout in Guelph last April set the gears in motion. It was here that he met Gee-Gees’ head coach, Jamie Barresi. Grey Cup champion Barresi spent time coaching at Penn State under Joe Paterno, as well at the University of Florida, Wake Forest and Central Florida.

“(His credentials) were what originally drew my attention to Ottawa and as I did more digging on the university, my interest grew. He kept in contact with me during summer ball as well as in the high school season. When I went on my unofficial visit though, that’s when I knew I wanted to go to Ottawa,” Astrom said.

“Coach Barresi personally drove my parents and I around the city and campus, which I thought was awesome. So, a combination of his knowledge of the game, the city of Ottawa, the opportunity to play and the quality of education at Ottawa were all what drew my interest. They made it seem as if I was a priority of theirs and was wanted,” he added.

Astrom also said he wants to soak up as much knowledge he can from Coach Barresi during his time in Ottawa. However, he isn’t the only coach that impressed the 6’1, 195lbs Crestwood Mustang (Central Ontario Schools Athletic Association). “I spoke with Coach Tolmie, the offensive line coach, during my Team Ontario tryout as well as before our OFSAA game, and he seems to be really nice and funny guy. I believe their defensive coordinator spent time in the CFL as well, so a lot of great guys with a lot of knowledge on not just the game, but on how to win,” Astrom said.

During his four years with the Mustangs, the six-year veteran won an AA National Capital Bowl championship in grade 11. “We actually won our regional game and should have gotten a chance at OFSAA that year, but there was a rule in place in our district saying an AA team couldn’t replace an AAA team in OFSAA, so we got robbed of that,” he said.

Despite some early disappointment, Astrom and his team had a second chance. “The rule was taken out this year and we made the most of our opportunity and got to OFSAA, winning the championship,” the future business or criminology student added.

Hailing from Peterborough, Ontario, Astrom spent two seasons with the Peterborough Wolverines (OFC) as well. Having shown his talents in hometown, he will now have a chance to take Ottawa by storm. “I’d like to thank the Ottawa Gee-Gees’ coaching staff for believing in me and giving me a great opportunity to succeed here in Ottawa. I intend to make the most of it,” Astrom said.

 

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