Seven All-Stars, One Program: Lancers Build for the Future

By: Teri Reid

The University of Windsor Lancers football program had seven players named to the conference all-star team. The last time that happened was the mid-1970s – when a different Trudeau sat in the prime minister’s chair in Ottawa and discotheques were the rage for young people.

First team all-stars: Kolade Amusan, Istvan Assibo-Dadzie, and Robert Springer. Second team all-stars: Devin Veresuk, Matteo Trifon, Melyk George, and Owen Mueller. All-rookie team: Marco Piccioni.

After a promising season cut short with an early playoff loss, having seven all-stars serves as a reminder that the football team is trending in a positive direction.

“Going through the season we all had high expectations, we didn’t have the ending that we wanted but we made a lot of progress as a team,” stated Amusan, who led the conference with 11.5 sacks.

The defensive players were the strength of the team, with five of the seven nods to defensive players. The Lancer’s defense led the conference with 24 sacks and seven fumble recoveries. They also had eight interceptions. The team was second in the conference allowing just 339 yards of offence and 22 points-per-game.

“We have so many other players that had the ability to be on the all-star teams,” said Patrick Donovan the defensive coordinator. “A team is not based on one player, everyone has to do their job, with these players making the all-star, it’s not just because of them, it’s because of their teammates around them.”

Their team-first mindset is undoubtably an important piece of the team’s success.

“I am very confident in my coaching abilities, my schemes, and my philosophy, but you can only be as good as the players that you have, they have to believe in you and trust you,” said Donovan.

“The season was good, we worked hard for what we have, every single year is a steppingstone, every year we get closer and closer, we get stronger, faster, and more confident,” says Assibo-Dadzie.

Amusan spoke highly of Donovan, showing the impact the coach has on his players, and his ability to propel players to high levels of success.

“Coach Donovan has a really big influence on me, he’s a big reason why I decided to come to Windsor,” says Amusan.

Photo credit: Gerry Marentette (Amusan vs Ottawa)

This number of all-stars being named is a testament to the culture of the program.

“We have so many good leaders that are part of this family,” Donovan stated. “(they are) always pushing each other whether it’s in the weight room, classroom, on the practice field.”

When asked about what made this year different when it came to the successes and the all-stars, Amusan said:

“It’s the change in our culture, we have this thing called blue collar gold swagger, being in Windsor it’s a blue-collar city and we try to bring that attitude towards football, whether it’s in our workouts, the way we study, nothing is going to be given to us. I feel like if we instill that mindset that number of seven will just keep going up and we will see double digit all stars in the future.”

Assibo-Dadzie provided a similar sentiment.

“More guys bought in this year. We came together more as a family and as a brotherhood which allows us to ultimately compete at a higher level and lift each other up.”

With seven all-stars this year it proves that the program can bring out the best in its players. When asked about filling the shoes of graduating players, Donovan took responsibility but expressed his confidence that the younger players are ready to step up to the plate and accept the challenge.

“It’s on us coaches making sure they have a good off season, we have a lot of great young talent, I’m thrilled to see what these guys can do moving forward.”

Amusan and Assibo-Dadzie spoke of the future of the program.

“It gives a chance for the young generation to see themselves in our shoes,” Assibo-Dadzie stated.

Amusan said, “it builds momentum for the guys coming up, our hard work shows them that anything is possible, and I feel like this is something that allows the program to grow. It shows what we’re doing is working and I hope many more will be given the same opportunity.”

The Lancers, through these recognitions, have enhanced their reputation as a growing football force.

The veteran Amusan said it best, “respect has been earned throughout the country and the conference.”

Photo credit: Connor Sykes. (Assibo-Dadzie vs Queen’s