Sarty tackles questions regarding head coach selection process and recruitment

Steve Sarty can now look forward to the upcoming football season.

Saint Mary’s University’s (SMU) Director of Athletics and Recreation has endured a rocky roller-coaster ride with regards to the football program over the course of the last few months.

In early December, the university released former head coach Steve Sumarah. Subsequently, the search for a new head coach for the Huskies took over two months to complete. Many attacked Sarty’s leadership during the process because the search took longer than expected.

However with the hiring of Perry Marchese as Huskies head coach, there is now some stability and leadership once again in the football program. Sarty was able to weather this turbulent storm.

During a one on one session with the athletic director on Thursday morning in Halifax, Sarty addressed some of the issues that have been on the minds of many in football circles and the community.

One of the first things he addressed was the topic reagrding one of the candidates for the position, Leroy Blugh. When asked why the selections committee’s initial decision to bring forth Blugh’s name for the head coaching vacancy was reversed, Sarty explains what actually happened during deliberations.

“It was never reversed,” comments SMU’s Director of Athletics and Recreation. “The committee met at length and Perry Marchese, who is our current coach, is the only candidate that was offered the position.”

The interview process was thorough yet detailed. Throughout the entire time, Marchese was prepared in his presentations because he did his homework and knew what the selections committee was looking for in a head coach to lead the Huskies football program.

“What you saw out of Perry- he’s very well spoken, a great communicator, and builds strong relationships,” explains Sarty. “All that aside, his football knowledge is very, very high, which is obviously very important in this position.”

Additionally, Marchese’s educational background and his experience as a previous Huskies player bolstered his appeal.

“The organizational skills he brings with his MBA that he received at Saint Mary’s University is definitely an asset,” says SMU’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, whose hometown is Truro. “He’s been here, he’s worn the jersey, and he understands what Saint Mary’s University stands for so that’s not something we’re going to have to train him to understand.”

“He lives and breathes it already.”

There was one question that was posed to Sarty. Is Marchese an upgrade from previous head coach Sumarah?

“I never compare one person over another,” answers Sarty, who has held the Director of Athletics and Recreation position at SMU since 2009. “I have tons of respect for Steve Sumarah and tons of respect for Perry Marchese.”

“Perry is our football coach moving forward and we’re thrilled to have him here.”

One of the pressing issues the Huskies have going forward is recruitment and keeping their existing roster of players. The one name that has been garnering attention among current roster players is quarterback Jesse Mills, who has been conflicted with where he wants to play next season. Sarty confirms that they’ve had lengthy discussions throughout the process.

“Unfortunately, for the 19 year old he is, he’s been put in the middle of the situation,” says Sarty, who was a wide receiver for the Huskies from 1991-1995. “I feel bad that he’s been put in the middle of this, which is unfair for any one person especially a 19 year old, but Jesse’s a great person.”

“I told this to Jesse yesterday and I mean it absolutely, genuinely that I want the best for Jesse Mills. He comes from a great family and we’d be happy to have him stay as a Husky.”

Recruitment is an ongoing process that has never stopped or will stop for the Huskies football program.

“We have some young men coming today, they are going to be looking at the campus and we’ll walk them around,” adds Sarty. “Perry’s got a number of guys he’s been calling.”

“Contrary to what people think, I’ve been calling recruits and our assistant coaches have been calling them.”

Part of the recruitment process doesn’t just center on the football program at Saint Mary’s University.

“We continue to have tours of our campus where we don’t just show the football side of things but obviously the academic side as well,” comments the Director of Athletics and Recreation of what the process encompasses at SMU. “They get to meet the President, and the Dean of their chosen faculty.”

Now that the head coach position has been filled with the hiring of Marchese, the focus now turns to all the positive things happening in the football program. One is a new hangout for the players.

“We’re going to have a new football locker room, which means a lot to the guys who are going into the locker room,”explains Sarty. “Believe me, I’ve talked to them all and they are thrilled about it because it’s going to be their gateway, their little palace.”

Furthermore, the amount of talent the Huskies boast on their team will be something to look forward to in the future.

“The talent we have on the football team today is phenomenal: phenomenal athletes, young men, ambassadors and leaders in our community and that’s going to continue,” says SMU’s Director of Athletics and Recreation.

Having Marchese as head coach as a huge boost to the energy of the Huskies football program.

“Perry is excited and thrilled to be here,” adds Sarty. “That enthusiasm, you can’t teach that and he’s got it and he’s going to cascade it to the team.”

“The team is going to show it on the field, and I’m excited.”

SMU’s Director of Athletics and Recreation is eagerly anticipating the start of the football season as well as the opportunity for the team to continue their tradition of excellence.

“I look forward to every football season and I get that kind of feeling in August of what’s going on,” comments Sarty. “It’s going to be exciting to turn the page and have a new chapter in Huskies football this year.”

(Photos 1 and 3 courtesy of Saint Mary’s University Website)
(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)