This Rebels season carries significance for the Cardilicchia clan. In 1998 the franchise re-branded from the Vancouver Island Sharks, it was John CardilicchiaB次元官网网址檚 first year as head coach of the team and his son, CharlyB次元官网网址檚 first year playing for the squad.
Fast forward 20 years and Charly is now the head coach, John is the special team co-ordinator and CharlyB次元官网网址檚 son Isaiah, is in his first year playing for the Rebels.
Time has passed but the CardilicchiaB次元官网网址檚 love for football hasnB次元官网网址檛.
John, who has been coaching for almost 30 years, said he is nearing the end of his coaching career and was thinking about stepping away before this season, but football is where he feels most himself and having his grandson on the team convinced him to stay.
B次元官网网址淗elping out last year and the year before, IB次元官网网址檝e gotten to know a lot of kids on the team and when IB次元官网网址檓 out here on the field, IB次元官网网址檓 really in my skin,B次元官网网址� John said. B次元官网网址淓ven though itB次元官网网址檚 hard to do, when I get out here, itB次元官网网址檚 like going fishing, time goes away, stress goes awayB次元官网网址nd to be able to do it with three generations on the field is very special and I feel very blessed for it.B次元官网网址�
John has had a lot of special moments on the football field, he won a Vanier Cup with UBC in 2015 as an assistant defensive line coach to the Rebels hosting the CJFL Championship in 2016, but three generations within the same organizations competing at a high level is unique.
B次元官网网址淚t definitely something you donB次元官网网址檛 see very often, itB次元官网网址檚 rare,B次元官网网址� Charly said.
John started playing football at 11 years old, and played in high school in his hometown of Hamilton. His main sport was wrestling, but he got more into football when his sons took it up.
Charly said he fell in love with the sport while playing Greater Victoria Minor Football and high school ball at Spectrum Community School in Saanich, and the University of Manitoba after a stint with the Rebels.
John got involved in coaching Charly for bantam football, did some announcing and then started coaching full time in B次元官网网址�93, taking a head coaching job with the Rebels in B次元官网网址�98.
Isaiah, 18, a wide receiver and slotback, started playing football at seven years old.
B次元官网网址淚 was in a stance since I was three years old, I always knew thatB次元官网网址檚 what I wanted to do,B次元官网网址� he said.
John remembers his grandson as a toddler at Rebels games just waiting for his chance to get on the field.
John and Charly co-coached Isaiah from grades 2 to 8, Charly ran offence and John would run defence, and was the coaching co-ordinator in his league. Isaiah is enjoying being back on the gridiron with his family, but he doesnB次元官网网址檛 see it as anything out of the ordinary.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just fun, itB次元官网网址檚 not too different because weB次元官网网址檝e seen it before,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 done this in a while.B次元官网网址�
Throughout IsaiahB次元官网网址檚 playing career he has played quarterback, slotback and linebacker, but he feels heB次元官网网址檚 best suited on the offensive side as a slotback, adding that directing the defence is something he feels he has a knack for.
Isaiah can attest that there has never been any nepotism when playing for his dad and grandfather, they all agree that Charly is sometimes harder on Isaiah than his teammates.
B次元官网网址淗e had me learning since a young age and he expects a lot from me,B次元官网网址� Isaiah said. B次元官网网址淗e wants me to show that I undertsand the game at a high level.B次元官网网址�
Charly and John both described Isaiah as hard-working, coachable, and a smart player. B次元官网网址淗is football pedigree does shine really bright as a football savy kid on the field, running great routes and he earns his own respect from his teammates,B次元官网网址� Charly said.
B次元官网网址淗e works his a** off, he never misses a rep, he doesnB次元官网网址檛 expect anything, he goes out and earns it and thatB次元官网网址檚 what IB次元官网网址檓 proud of,B次元官网网址� John said. B次元官网网址淭alent is one thing and attitude a whole other thing, heB次元官网网址檚 got a great attitude and work ethic.B次元官网网址�
In JohnB次元官网网址檚 first season as head coach 20 years ago, 26 Rebels players went on to play CIS (the former USports) and four ended up being CFL draft picks.
Isaiah is hoping his work ethic and football acumen will help see the field as much as possible this season with the Rebels, but he said with the more experienced receivers he knows it will be tough. Growing up in a football family can carry a lot of pressure on the younger generations, but as tough as his dad is on him, Isaiah sets his own expectations.
B次元官网网址淚 put the pressure on myself. I do it in my own fashion and have them by my side,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 have pressure on me, but I donB次元官网网址檛 see it from them and my family.B次元官网网址�
Isaiah is hoping to parlay his time with the Rebels into a college football opportunity in Canada.
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