Laval University Rouge et Or attacking player Maxime-Olivier Cabana has gambled on his luck at the expense of the American Dream and is happy with his decision to return home.
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“It was an excellent decision, one of the good ones in my life,” he concluded. I don’t regret leaving the NCAA. Coming to Laval is the decision I should have made from the start. My happiness comes before football for me and I’m not a loser because we’re at a good level in Laval.”
After his school football at Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François, the 1.85 meter tall and 135 kilogram man wanted to live the American dream and decided to continue his career with our neighbors to the south, where he attended a preparatory school for two years. .
The strategy paid off when he was recruited by the Louisville Cardinals, who play in the ACC Conference (Power 5), in 2022, but after one season the isolation began to weigh heavily.
“In the NCAA I’ve improved my physical condition, level of play and speed, but I’m much happier in Laval where I can play in front of my parents, brother and girlfriend,” he said. Yes, I’ve achieved the American Dream by receiving a scholarship to attend one of the NCAA’s top conferences, but being far away from loved ones all the time has been difficult.
“After the United States games, I went back to the locker room to watch Cabana. At the first game in Sherbrooke, where my grandparents live, I was surrounded by my loved ones after the game. It’s more fun.”
A more pleasant atmosphere
Aside from the higher level of play in the ACC, Cabana noted an important difference in Quebec’s university network. “There’s a better atmosphere at Laval, the team chemistry is better, and the teams are more united than what I’ve experienced in the NCAA,” he said. This is understandable since NCAA players come from all over the place. It’s more tense in the NCAA because you can’t fail.”
“Glen (Constantin) had described to me how the law student was sued in Laval. His description is exactly what I was looking for, and that’s what I found. I couldn’t be happier.”
The rookie quickly recognized ground. Sherbrooke’s suspension and Jean-Antoine Dean-Rios’ suspension allow him to start against the McGill Redbirds on Saturday night. “Jean-Antoine is an exceptional player and there was a good fight every day in the training camp that pushed me to get better. I did my part. He gave me advice and we have a competition that has never been unhealthy.
Constantin likes what he has seen from Cabana since arriving in Quebec. “I’m very happy with his game and he doesn’t act like a newbie,” said the Laval driver. He will be a very good player. Louisville is well and good, but he hadn’t played and I didn’t know him like most players who go to the States after high school.”