The third captain of the 2018 Saint Ignatius football team has been chosen.
The Wildcats have voted senior Chris Velotta as a captain for the upcoming season.
A defensive back, Velotta cycled in as a junior as a safety as needed for the Football Cats in 2017. Velotta often showed grit and determination when his number was called, notching 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1 blocked kick.
"It's a great honor, it's an elite fraternity," Velotta said. "I'm pretty happy about it. I have a job to do for the 2018 Cats, I'm excited for the season."
In the offseason, Velotta's work ethic and dedication to becoming bigger and better was evident. Velotta has been a regular in the weight room in the past nine months in preparation for the 2018 season.
His teammates and coaches took notice.
"Chris is a hard-working kid and someone a lot of kids look up to, no matter if he's the starter or not," said defensive backs coach Kevin Johnson '10. "He pushes the team to be the best, no matter what. He encourages a lot of kids to stand out and hype guys up. He'll be helping us out in the defensive back area a lot."
Head Coach Chuck Kyle '69 has also been impressed with the rising senior.
"Chris goes out of his way with his concern for the team," Kyle said. "He has a very honorable approach to our program, in that he places the team as a priority. He's a high energy guy but he also encourages other guys to focus. Players notice that. He has a very positive attitude – anyone who knows him will verify that. His work ethic is excellent. On the field, he gives 100%. That kind of effort and care is why his teammates elected him captain."
Every season, the Wildcats have a varying group of characters as captains. Some captains are quiet leaders, providing a silent example. Others are vocal, rah-rah type of men who make their presence felt.
So what type of captain will Velotta be?
"Chris, as a captain, will push a lot of our guys to stand out and perform at their full potential," Johnson said. "If a guy is down, he'll be one of the first guys over there to say, 'Hey, I'm here for you, we're all here for you.' He's a guy who understands the brotherhood idea. He enforces it and helps other guys to understand what it means for each other when they're on the football field. I'm excited to have Chris as a captain. Even if Chris wasn't named captain, Chris would still be the guy to go up to guys and pump them up."
Velotta is ready and eager to lead the Wildcats to glory this season. The pride of St. Anselm has spent plenty of time lately thinking about what it means to lead and be a champion.
"It starts in the locker room," Velotta said. "If you're going to be a champion on the football field, you have to be a champion in every aspect of life. That means a clean locker room, good studies, you have to keep up with the schoolwork. The captain's job this year is to make sure everyone is a champion in every aspect of their lives."
Velotta and the Wildcats have a long road ahead, but the team is ready to pursue its top goal – the program's 12th state championship.
"We have to take it one step at a time, every day we have to get better," said Velotta. "For me personally, I want to be on the field as much as possible and to win a state championship. All I'm thinking about is the ring."