Since announcing the return of its football program last July, Carleton University has been making strides to be ready for kick-off in 2013.
But despite facility upgrades and the hiring of upper management personnel, the program still had one glaring need.
Without a head coach, the Ravens orchestra would remain silent. No smacking of helmets, no cheers from the crowd after a touchdown.
Carleton filled that void earlier this month, when Steve Sumarah was hired to be that leader. Sumarah’s track record includes a Vanier Cup appearance and a Canadian Interuniversity Sport coach of the year award from his time at Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia. After seven years as head coach of the Huskies, Sumarah left the school with an impressive 42-18 record.
Off the gridiron, Sumarah will be looking to increase the sport’s profile in a city that has suffered through its share of football heartache.
From the Rough Riders and Renegades of the CFL, to the first edition of the Ravens, Ottawa has dropped the ball before.
John Whyte wants things to be different this time around. The head coach of the Immaculata Saints football team says the return of Carleton’s program will benefit both young players and fans.
“It opens the door to a number of students that otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to play for another university team,” he says. “So the more the better, as far as I’m concerned, to help grow the football culture here.”
For the Ravens to make that impact, they will need to build a roster. Sumarah and his staff need to find roughly 85 players to wear the red, white and black jersey. It’s a long process that will begin in the nation’s capital.
“With every program, you’re as strong as your local contingent,” Sumarah said after being hired. “Football is vibrant here and that’s going to be my number one focus to make sure that I don’t lose to [University of] Ottawa, any of the top recruits in the city, and then from there it will expand.”
Having to recruit an entire squad means Sumarah will get plenty of practice selling the program to potential players. It’s a message he’s been working on.
“You have an opportunity to make history. You can be part of something special,” he said. “This is a new program and no, you’re probably not going to win the Vanier Cup in year one, but if you stay and you believe, then you’re going to be successful.”
Natu Myers is one of those potential recruits.
A star defensive lineman with the Glebe Collegiate Gryphons, the Grade 12 student has risen through the local ranks since he began playing the sport only four years ago.
Along with the Gryphons, Myers has been terrorizing quarterbacks as a member of the Ottawa Sooners in the Canadian Junior Football League. In July of last year, he also suited up for Team Ontario East at the Football Canada Cup, an annual tournament that showcases the best young talent in the country.
Within both groups, the Ravens program has become a hot topic.
“While it may not be where I’m thinking of going personally, Carleton is definitely a legitimate option that many of my teammates have talked about,” says Myers.
That’s music to the ears of former Ravens all-star Thomas Timlin, who is now the manager of football operations for the team.
“We understand that it won’t happen in just one year, but eventually we will have a core group made from players like Natu here in Ottawa,” says Timlin, who coached Myers at the Football Canada Cup.
“I think a lot of kids in the area want to be part of something they can build from the ground up and be really proud of.”