Dalhousie Football Club is back in action Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. with its first road game of the season against the Holland College Hurricanes in Prince Edward Island.
Fresh off a championship in the Atlantic Football League (AFL) last year, the Dalhousie Tigers are eager to begin their new campaign and defend their title.
“Obviously winning a championship isn’t easy, but you have to become addicted to the process,” said Head Coach Freddy Diab in a pre-season interview. “We did that a lot last year and we’re just going to continue to expand on that by doing the little things correctly in practice, and in academics, taking care of our business on and off the field. Ultimately, that’s what leads you to another championship.”
Freddy Diab played high school football at Woodlawn High School in Dartmouth. He began his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry at Mount Alliston in 2016, where he also played on the defensive line of the university’s football team.
Diab is entering his first season as head coach of the Tigers after being the defensive coordinator for the past 4 years. Diab is excited to take on this new role and challenge his players each day in practice.
“It’s my first head coaching job in football ever,” said Diab. “I’m just super excited and honestly super happy I get to do it at Dal,”
Diab is aiming to build a fast-paced, hard-working team this season. With just six regular games in a season, he emphasizes the importance of doing the little things right in practice - from showing up on time and in uniform to practice, to running every drill at full intensity, playing through soreness and staying mentally tough.
“Everybody talks about championship week but to us, we are going to start day one and do the little things right,” Diab said. “Then, we’ll just continue to play hard and if we make it we make it.”
Dalhousie has won the Atlantic Football League 3 of the last 4 years. Each of those championship games has been played against the University of New Brunswick Fredericton (UNBF) Red Bombers, who will likely be Dalhousie’s biggest competition this season.
“We’re expecting a super competitive league,” Diab said. “We don’t take anybody lightly, and we’ll play everybody hard and we expect a challenge from everybody.”
Dante Gabrielli will be the starting quarterback this season in his third year with the team. Linebacker Sam Martin has had a strong start to the season and will be a key player to watch, along with Defensive End Logan Steeves, and Wide Receiver Ethan Lord.
Despite the starpower of their core players, Diab says this team will win games — and ultimately a championship — based on how well they work together, not the talent of any individual player.
“Football is the ultimate team sport,” said Diab. “It’s all 12 guys on the field. Without solid teammates and working together, the rest doesn’t matter. Nobody’s bigger than the program because the program is resting on the shoulders of everybody.”
Dalhousie’s first home game is September 20th at 7pm against Holland College. Homecoming is the following weekend on September 27 at 4pm against UNBF. The Tiger’s final home game is October 19 at 1pm when they take on the Saint John Falcons.
All home games will take place at Wickwire Field on Dalhousie’s Studley Campus.
Dalhousie Football Club encourages students, family and friends to come out and support the team at home games. Diab hopes for big crowds and enthusiastic fans as the team chases another championship.
“We have by far the best fans and the most supportive school in this league and we just love to showcase that,” Diab said. “When you’re grinding in practice, working towards the game and then you come out and see the stadium is loaded with people that are taking time out of their day to come watch you do what you’ve worked so hard to do, that’s a super super great feeling.”
