Gryphons commits feel at home

Guelph adds one local commit, one southern Ontario commit and one out-of-province commit to their 2019 class.

Whether it is a longstanding dream or a new one, receivers Nick Guardiero from Bishop Macdonell High School and Noah Holder from Garth Webb Secondary School will be turning dreams into reality after signing with the University of Guelph Gryphons.

Defensive lineman Reese Hitterman from the Royal Imperial Collegiate of Canada will also be joining the Gryphons.

Nick Guardiero

Nick Guardiero has bled red and gold long before he committed to the school. “Guelph has a stellar reputation,” he said. “I’ve always dreamed of going to my hometown university and growing up I spent a lot of time there. It was just a part of my life.”

Whether it was playing hockey and soccer games on campus, or watching the Gryphons basketball games with his grandpa, a former high school basketball coach, Guelph surrounded Guardiero. He even had his own personal tour guide.

“My nonna worked at the university for 35 years and she would always take me into the kitchen and show me around,” he said. “In grade nine, we had our high school JV jamboree there and at the end of the day they took us on a tour of the facilities. That was the moment I knew I wanted to play football at Guelph.”

Following family tradition, in grade ten, Guardiero got a job at the university where he still currently works. “The University of Guelph has just always been a part of my life,” he said.

“I’m so excited to work with these coaches. Their philosophy and values really line up with mine,” Guardiero added. “I like Coach Sheahan’s style and I’m excited to have coaches who will push me to get better.”

Guardiero will be studying criminal justice and public policy. He aspires to become a police officer.

The 6’0, 185lbs athlete has been playing football for five years for both the Waterloo Region Predators (OFC) and the Bishop Macdonell Celtics (District 10). He is a four-time D10 all-star nominee and was a 2018 D10 all-star as a receiver.

Football was not Guardiero’s first sport, however. He grew up playing rep soccer before he entered high school. He played a season of JV volleyball in grade nine before joining the football team. “I fell in love with the sport,” he said. “I’m so thankful for the teammates and the coaches I’ve had along the way who’ve pushed me and supported me.”

He added that, “Football is the ultimate team sport, and I’m so excited to be a part of the Gryphon family.”

Commit Alert ? Nick Guardiero from @BM_Football and @WRPreds is now the #NextGryphon ? Welcome to the #GryphonFamily Nick pic.twitter.com/DwxTH5r5Hl

— Gryphon Football (@GryphonFootball) February 28, 2019

Noah Holder

When Noah Holder visited the University of Guelph, it was all he needed to make his decision.

“I committed to Guelph because it felt like I would fit in best there. Their facilities were second-to-none and they emphasized how important education was. After I went on a visit there, I knew I wanted to go there,” Holder said. He is interested in taking human kinetics.

Over the course of his recruitment, Holder said he has gotten to know Head Coach Ryan Sheahan really well. “From talking to him and from what I have heard, he seems like a great coach,” Holder added. “The coaches that I have met at Guelph seem great and I am excited to work with them.”

Holder, who is 6’4, 195lbs, is from Oakville, Ontario, where he spent six years with the Oakville Titans. He also played three seasons with the Garth Webb Chargers (Halton Tier 2). He is a former Halton Tier 2 champion in 2017. In 2015 he partook in the Fox 40 Prospect Challenge as a defensive end.

#NextGryphon ? Noah Holder – 6’5” Rec from @GarthWebbSS and @oakvilletitans has just joined the #GryphonFamily – We thank the Garth Webb SS community for having us today and we will take good care of Noah. pic.twitter.com/aQe8CxXj2q

— Gryphon Football (@GryphonFootball) March 18, 2019

Reese Hitterman

Reese Hitterman is originally from Montréal, Québec. Before joining the RICC Knights in St. Catharines, Ontario, he played with the Champlain College Lennoxville Cougars (RSEQ Division 1). Standing at 6’1, 280lbs, he has played as a defensive tackle and guard.