Marco Iadeluca is currently the head coach of the Université de Montréal Carabins football team. The Carabins gave him his first opportunity as a head coach, as he had previously held deputy roles at both the Saint-Léonard Cougars, Collège André-Grasset, Rouge et Or de l’Université de Laval and the Carabins. He won the Vanier Cup three times, including twice as offensive coordinator with the Laval Rouge et Or and the Université de Montréal Carabins. That year he won his first Vanier Cup as a head coach.
Marco told me that it was thanks to his brother Tony at Glen Constantin at the Laval Rouge et Or and Danny Maciocia at the Montreal Carabins that he became head coach.
Marco considers himself lucky to have two families who support him. Firstly, his wife Lina, his three daughters Angela, named after Marco’s late mother Amanda and Isabella, and the team from the Université de Montréal Carabins.
Your parents died in a fire in Las Vegas.
I was only eight years old when my father, Raffaele, and my mother, Angela, died in the MGM Grand Hotel-Casino fire in Las Vegas on November 21, 1980, which killed 87 people. I was too young to understand the consequences of such a tragedy. On the other hand, I can assure you that it defined my character.
For what ?
First, I was at home with my brother Tony and my grandparents, who were staying with us, when we heard the news on TV. I didn’t fully understand the situation, but I felt like my life had just been turned upside down.
In 48 hours your life will no longer be the same.
It took about 48 hours for me to learn the exact details of the tragedy, my life had just been turned upside down. Immediately after I received confirmation of my parents’ death, my brother Tony, who was 12 years old at the time, took me into his care and accompanied me through the upcoming trials.
You told me you had to make one of two decisions.
Becoming an angry person who is frustrated with life or a phlegmatic person who has his emotions under control. I chose the second character strength.
Her parents, Raffaele and Angela, settled in Saint-Léonard.
My father was director of the Le Royer school board, while my mother taught English at Saint-Ex secondary school in Saint-Léonard. I still have precious memories of her.
Which ?
Among other things, car trips to Walt Disney. We spoke French at home and Italian with my grandparents. They taught me the importance of love for family. I would have liked to share many more moments with them.
After your parents died, your life was turned upside down again.
My brother and I lived with our grandparents. After four months, my grandfather suffered a serious illness. We had to live with my uncle and aunt.
You will always be grateful to your uncle and aunt.
Think about the situation. They have three sons who I consider my brothers. Who suddenly appears in her life? My grandparents, my brother and me. A family of five becomes a family of nine.
You enjoyed playing multiple sports.
We were allowed to practice several sports. I played hockey not on skates, but ball hockey on the street with Martin Brodeur, who became one of the best goaltenders in NHL history. While I was playing minor league baseball with Tony Marabella, who signed with the Expos.
You were able to learn more about your mother in high school.
At Sainte-Ex High School I met several of my mother’s colleagues who, like her, taught there. In reality, I didn’t really know my mother. They taught me that she was a good mother and valued by her colleagues.
You started playing football at the age of 16.
Why at 16? It’s simple: the Saint-Léonard Cougars started with a junior team and not the other way around. I was always the quarterback of the team and was particularly pleased with the choice of my coaches who have left their mark on the minor, university and professional football scene: Gerry McGarth, Jacques Dussault, Danny Maciocia and my brother Tony, who who did that was always there for me.
They visited Cégep de Rosemont and UQAM.
I chose Cégep de Rosemont because it is close to my home. I completed my BAC in Administration at UQAM (School of Management Sciences), even though there was no football program. My former coach, Gerry McGrath, did everything he could to convince me to join his team, the Concordia Stingers. I decided to complete my BAC at UQAM.
Your youth in Saint-Léonard allowed you to grow as a man.
I grew up in an environment where multiculturalism was prevalent. As head coach of the Carabins, I educated my players about the importance of people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds living together on the team.
The father-daughter duo on the edge of the Carabins.
My three daughters cheered and played flag football. This year my daughter Amanda was part of the unofficial coaching group. She was in charge of the dial at every practice. During the games she was one of the water women for the players, i.e. the water girl.
Your best moment after winning the Vanier Cup.
(The coach gets emotional.) The best moment, hands down, was when I hugged the first person on the sidelines. It was my daughter Amanda.