What does winning a Vanier Cup mean?
No player from the 2023 edition of the Université de Montréal Carabins can boast of having had this experience again. On the other hand, there were several in the group of Blues coaches who had the chance to lift the valuable trophy.
• Also read: The Carabins are heading to the Vanier Cup!
The Carabins won their first – and only – Canadian championship in 2014. Offensive coordinator Gabriel Cousineau, recruiting coordinator Rémi Giguère and special teams coordinator Jean-Samuel Blanc were student-athletes at the time. Each of them played a role in their own way in this historic 20-19 win against the McMaster Marauders.
“It’s immortality,” Cousineau said when asked what winning the Vanier Cup means to him.
JOEL LEMAY/AGENCE QMI
“It’s the pinnacle for a university football player in Canada. Personally, it has completely changed my life,” the former Carabins quarterback continued.
“Going all the way and winning showed me the sacrifices you have to make to get there. I also realized how important it is to live in the moment because there is never a guarantee that you will experience it again someday.”
Memories of Lagacé
When the Carabins triumphed in 2014, Bruno Lagacé was 16 years old. The defender remembers it like it was yesterday.
“In 2014 I was in secondary school and played for Collège Notre-Dame Cactus. Last week [la coupe Vanier]“We were at the Bol d’Or and lost after leading 20-0 at half-time,” the veteran recalled.
“I was so proud of the Carabins’ victory that I forgot about my disappointment from the previous week. I was so proud to see a team from my hometown win this prestigious championship. Now I want to be one of the actors in a new conquest and make my city proud.”
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
A mature team
Lagacé’s wish could come true this Saturday when the Carabins take on the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in the Canadian grand final.
• Also read: CEPSUM prevailed against the Mustangs
The Quebec club will undoubtedly be the favorites after pulverizing the Western Mustangs in the Uteck Cup. UdeM has a sophisticated training program. The organization’s key players come primarily from the 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes, Marco Iadeluca’s first as head coach.
“It’s a team that likes to play together and works very hard,” said the driver after his team’s last win. We had high expectations at the start of the season. We’re where we want to be, but it’s not over yet.”
Photo Martin Chevalier
“There are more than 2,000 college football players in the country and there are only a hundred who finish the year with a championship ring on their finger,” said linebacker Nicky Farinaccio. We have the opportunity to be those guys this year!”