RB Crittenden cut teeth into the sport at an early age

Multiple OUA schools on the radar for Crusaders standout

This past spring, Catholic Central Crusaders linebacker Graeme Crittenden seized a major opportunity on a big gridiron stage.

Graeme Crittenden

Positions:
Linebacker, Running Back

Height/Weight:
5’10, 175 lbs

Teams:
Catholic Central Crusaders (high school: TVRAA)
Burlington Stampeders (OFC)
Forest City Thunderbirds (OFC)
London Jr. Mustangs (OVFL)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Consideration:
McMaster, Carleton, Ottawa, Guelph, Open

Class:
2018

Graeme Crittenden got his first taste of the sport when he was only four years old. The first team he played for was in a house league in Burlington and spent two years in that league before playing one year with the Stampeders at a more competitive level.

Then he moved to London, where he played one year of house league, one season with the Forest City Thunderbirds of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC), five seasons with the London Jr. Mustangs of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and two years with the Catholic Central Crusaders of the Thames Valley Regional Athletic Association (TVRAA), where he will continue to play next season

Graeme has won numerous awards during his time on the gridiron, including the Overall Team MVP Award three times, Defensive MVP Award three times and the special award for ‘Dedication Determination Desire’. He has also been selected as a team captain six times.

Last season, his team had an impressive record, which was a high point for him.

“My highlight from last season would be going undefeated in the regular season,” Graeme says.

There’s one particular college in the U.S. that would be a dream school to go to.

“If I could go to any university it would be the University of Miami,” he says. “In Canada, I am interested in attending a supportive university that has a football team and academic opportunities.”

Graeme has received some unofficial interest from various OUA schools, but no official visits have been planned at this point.

He has several people in his life who have been vital support systems throughout the years.

“Supportive people in my life would be my mom and dad for helping me reach for my goals, driving me to practice, camps and games,” Graeme says. “All of my coaches have been very supportive, but the ones who stand out are my coaches: Bruno DeSando, Steve Greene and KJ Kenemy. Coach Bruno was the first coach to help me understand the depth of the game and further develop my abilities and passion for the game. Coach Steve has been my trainer and mentor for the last six years. He has provided opportunities for growth, both in my physical game and in my mental strength and development. Together we have visited Carleton, Ottawa U, McMaster, Guelph, and U of Buffalo, exploring the university opportunities, football programs and off-season training development and conditioning. Coach Jay is my high school coach, who goes well beyond just being a coach, including one-on-one 6am practices. He displays the definite marks of commitment!”

Graeme has a training routine that he maintains on a daily basis.

“I workout in the weight room, I run and practice footwork/agility drills every day,” he says.

For next season, he plans on progressing further in a few areas of his game.

“I am focusing on improving my strength and speed and also on further positional development to excel at CCH on the Sr. team,” Graeme says.

Graeme benefitted greatly from the #CFCOPC experience.

“The OPC experience was a great opportunity to practice and play with new players,” he says. “It offered me the opportunity to learn new plays and different styles of coaching. It was an excellent opportunity to be viewed by CIS coaches.”

He knows what he wants to major in at school and has his sights set on a career.

“I would like to study an undergraduate in Kinesiology or coaching,” Graeme says. “Then I would like to coach at a high school in the USA, working towards becoming an NCAA coach.”

 

 

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