DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS

The Dinos Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Dinos Football Program, whether it be through volunteering on the 5th Quarter Board, participating in fundraising or mentoring young student-athletes.

2010 MARCELLO RAPINI

The Dinos 5th Quarter Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Dinos Football Program, whether through volunteering on the 5th Quarter Board, participating in fundraising, volunteering on the Dinos coaching staff or mentoring young student-athletes. The 2010 recipient, Marcello Rapini, has given his time and energy over the years to all of those roles and more.

When asked to describe Marcello, three words that kept coming to the forefront were Passion, Discipline and Commitment. Marcello played with the Dinos from 1985 to 1990 and was a member of two Vanier Cup winning teams. His contributions to the team continued after his playing days as Marcello carved a niche as one of the Dinos most respected coaches. His first coaching stint was in the early 1990’s and he currently holds the position of Secondary Coach, joining Coach Blake Nill’s team four years ago.

Marcello is regarded as a meticulous and demanding coach and garners the utmost respect from his players. His incredible work ethic, attention to detail, loyalty and ability to laugh are traits that enhance the entire coaching staff and Marcello is credited with being “a big reason why we all enjoy going to work” by his fellow coaches. Coach Nill sees Marcello as an integral addition to his coaching staff and a key contributor to the team’s recent success.

Marcello is also one of those rare coaches whose players will “play for him” and he has a unique ability to inspire his athletes. His coaching success is punctuated by his players who go on to careers in the CFL, the most recent of which is James Green who signed with the Toronto Argonauts after just 4 years of CIS and has gone on to become a key player in the secondary and special teams.

Marcello’s intensity and passion on the field is matched by his commitment to players off the field. He is dedicated to providing career opportunities for Dinos athletes and plays a large role in helping young graduates transition into the business community. Working with his company, Paramount Energy Trust, Marcello has helped launch careers for a number of young alumni and his efforts to facilitate summer jobs is integral in the development of these young athletes off the field.

Tony Spoletini has been friends with Marcello since the age of 6 and they were team-mates at St Francis High School and the Dinos before going on to coach together with the Dinos. Tony regards Marcello as “one of the best Secondary Coaches in CIS Football, if not one of the best coaches period”.

Despite his exceptional contributions to Dinos Football, Marcello Rapini is, first and foremost, a father and husband. He is the proud father of Juliette and Aldo, and loving husband to his wife Sherry.

The Dinos Football 5th Quarter would like to thank Marcello for his dedication to Dinos Football and honour him with the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Previous Distinguished Alumni Award Winners

Paul Colborne

Jack Neumann

Brian Baker

Mike Freiter

Tony Spoletini

Craig Steele

Bruno Geremia

Greg Vavra

Rob Furlan

Chester Krala

Tom Spoletini

Brian McCorquodale

Jim Bailey

John Houghton

Chris Wigg

Colin Sheedy

Cal Broadhurst

Gary Durbeniuk

Dave Bacon

Randy Bergh

Rick Coleman