Windsor adds a pair from northern Ontario to their Class of 2017.
A duo from Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, linebacker Jacob Fecteau from White Pines Secondary School and defensive lineman Matt Desando from Superior Heights Collegiate, will have to take a shortcut through Michigan if they want to reach their new team, the Windsor Lancers, in good time.
Jacob Fecteau
Courtesy of Jacob Fecteau.
The drive on the other side of the boarder won’t be problematic for Jacob Fecteau, who said he chose the school because Windsor is close to home. He added that, “The city is beautiful. The facilities and the business program are awesome.”
And what else was awesome? The coaches. “The staff was amazing, very academic heavy, which is nice,” Fecteau said. “The staff was very respectful and wanted the best for me.”
Standing at 6’0, 195lbs, he played with the White Pines Wolverines (Northern Ontario Secondary Schools Association) and the Sault Sabercats (Sault Minor Football League). He is a three-time MVP and won a referee award in 2016.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to build as a student and football player. I’m very thankful for the opportunity,” Fecteau said. “I want to thank all my previous coaches, teammates, parents and supporters along the way.”
Matt Desando
Courtesy of Matt Desando.
The theme of home also came up with Matt Desando. “I have some family in Windsor and the city reminds me of home,” Desando said. “I liked that it is close to home, only five hours away.”
Trekking down from northern Ontario will be a bit of a mission, but Desando won’t be complaining. “I chose Windsor because the education is the right fit and I feel like I have an opportunity to come in and compete in U Sports,” he said. He added that he will be studying concurrent education in French.
With training camp fast approaching, it won’t be long before Desando meets the rest of his team. “I’m eager to meet the rest of the coaching staff and I look forward to working with Coach Fraser. The way Coach Fraser explained the defense, I thought it fit my style. I’m excited to meet more of the staff and my teammates,” he said.
The 6’2, 255lbs defensive tackle has played with the Superior Heights Steelhawks (NOSSA) and the Sault Sabercats (Sault Minor Football League). He has been hitting the gridiron since the age of seven. In his career, he has won two SMFL championship and a Junior City and NOSSA championship in 2013. In 2015 and 2016, he appeared in the NOSSA and OFSAA championships with the Steelhawks. In 2014, he won a Sault Sabercat award and was the team’s lineman of the year the following season. He also earned that honours this past season with the Steelhawks.
When he isn’t on the field, Desando is a busy young man. “I like to spend time outdoors and at the camp, always helping family,” he said. Along with working two jobs, he is also an honour roll student. He values respect, loyalty, hard work and honest.
“I am thankful for the support system I have from my family, friends and coaches,” Desando added. “I am grateful for all the coaches I’ve had throughout the years, especially Coach Seth Cond, who has coached me for the past two years. I wouldn’t want to play for anybody else.”
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