I had always dreamed of becoming a professional football coach. I had two heros when I was young: my father Cosmo Maciocia, a hard-working, committed family man; and Rod Rust, a gifted NFL coach, with whom I later had the chance to work for a few years. As children, we learn about values from our parents and we draw inspiration from our heroes, so it will come as a surprise to no one when I say that I have the best job in the world.

I am the coach of the Carabins football team. I work with student-athletes from HEC, Polytechnique and Université de Montréal. Their determination and achievements are impressive. They are the epitome of excellence, competing in a physically demanding sport while remaining committed to the pursuit of their academic studies. They are, needless to say, outstanding individuals. But what truly inspires me is how a student who is part of a Carabin team demonstrates that excellence.

The first time I met Manon Simard, the director of the Carabins Excellence in Sports Program at Université de Montréal, we spent two hours trying to define what success means for the Carabins – this even before I had accepted her job offer. By excelling in academics and sports, our student-athletes become role models and ambassadors. They are, for our youth, what the heroes of my generation meant to me. What amazes me is their willingness to assume this leadership and to focus their energy and passion on changing things around them. Roughly 450 student-athletes play on 19 varsity teams in the Carabin program; and they are an active force in the community. To be a Carabin means achieving success right across the board – in the classroom, on the field and in the community. Every single day.

On October 14, 2012, the Carabins football team proudly wore special uniforms to introduce the brand image of Campus Montréal, the combined campaign for our three institutions. One year down the line, it is the campaign’s fundraising target that we are presenting as a way to encourage everyone to support Campus Montréal as proudly as we do. When the fans chant “Allez les Bleus!” in the stands, I will be thinking, yet again, that I really do have the best job in the world.

Danny Maciocia
Head Coach, Carabins Football