FROM WALKON TO A TEAM LEADER

Alessandro Molnar wanted to play football at the U Sports level. The problem was no U Sports schools wanted to give him the opportunity.

“I emailed and contacted lots of schools throughout Canada to give me a tryout but no one did. Many did not even get back to me,” stated the 23-year-old Molnar.

Molnar was first noticed as a young player when he attended a Dinos summer development camp in Grade 11. So how did he manage to get a tryout with the Dinos when no other team in Canada inquired about him?

What Alessandro did have was fabulous references at Rundle College, a private school in Calgary. High school coaches Tom Spoletini, Richard Buckley, and Brent Hargreaves, all former University of Calgary players believed in his ability and attitude. They convinced the Dinos to offer him a Spring Camp tryout in April 2016.

“Coach Hargreaves had faith in me and told me to contact Coach (Wayne) Harris,” stated Molnar who called Coach Harris telling him he would play anywhere and do whatever it took to make the team.

“I was very nervous at my first Spring Camp as no promises existed,” stated Molnar.

At his initial spring camp Molnar showed enough to warrant an invitation to main camp in August 2016. He was a scout player for the Dinos that lost a hard-fought Vanier Cup Final to Laval in Hamilton, ON. The following two years he dressed seeing action on mainly on special teams as well as at running back.

“I was initially discouraged but continued to work hard in the off-season and during the season,” stated Molnar who is majoring in Business Operations in the Haskayne School of Business and recently completed his LSAT for law school.

When starting running back Jeshraun Antwi was injured midway through the 2019 season, Molnar and Robbie Rodrigues stepped in helping the team’s ground game as the Dinos won their fifth National title.

“Alessandro is a student of the game. Nobody outworks him. He is fundamentally sound, a solid blocker and is deceptively fast with his speed,” states Divincentis who is in his eighth season with the Dinos.

Molnar excels in the classroom being an Academic All-Canadian the past four seasons. He received an Alexander Rutherford academic award in 2017, a Dinosaur 5th Quarter Association Award the past three years, Willie Burden Football Award in 2019 and 2020.

His intelligence extends to the football field. “Alessandro knows his assignments and everyone else’s,” stated Divincentis who has had experience coaching running backs in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders.

Defensive Coordinator Matt Berry, like Coach Divincentis has the utmost respect for Molnar.

“His off-season training and weight room attendance is phenomenal. He has earned the trust of coaches on offense and special teams,” stated Berry.

The Dinos have always had outstanding players from Rundle, starting with former Canadian Football League defensive lineman Mike Klassen. Following Klassen was two-time Hec Crighton winning quarterback Andrew Buckley. Other current Dinos from Rundle are Mateo Spoletini, Jackson Hummel, Scott Thomas, and Kamar Bishop who are in their first year of eligibility, though Mateo played in 2019.

“I often reflect on how far I have come. My parents supported me completely through the experience,” stated 5’10”, 195 lbs. Molnar. He is proud of what he has accomplished but equally proud of being a member of the 2019 National Championship team.

Alessandro Molnar an example of perseverance, hard work and dedication. From a “walk on” to one of the team leaders on the defending Vanier Cup champions.