First StFX alumnus to lead X-Men gridiron
Antigonish, NS— StFX Director of Athletics and Recreational Services Leo MacPherson is pleased to announce the appointment of university alumnus Gary Waterman as the new head coach of the X-Men football team. “Gary Waterman is the ideal person to lead our program as we launch an exciting new era of X-Men football. We share a collective vision for success and renewal of football at StFX,” comments MacPherson. “It is exciting to be able to hire a coach with real ties to our school and an affection for the place, our traditions and our history." Waterman’s hiring marks the first time in StFX history that an alumnus will lead the X-Men football team.
Gary has been the X-Men’s defensive coordinator of the X-Men for the past three years. As a student-athlete Gary played with the X-Men for four seasons from 1988 to 1992, graduating from X with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He started for the X-Men as a freshman, spending time at both the running back and defensive back position. Gary was a team captain for two years, a three-time AUS all-star, and a three-time team most valuable player with the team. After graduation, Gary moved to Mississauga, ON where he was employed as a teacher at Father Michael Goetz High School. For 13 years he coached football, basketball and track and field. His high school football coaching experience involved stints as head coach, offensive coordinator and special teams coach. He was a guest coach for the X-Men for two years before taking on the defensive coordinator position. Since moving to Antigonish, Gary has been employed as a full-time physical education teacher in addition to his X-Men coaching duties.
“The StFX experience is unlike any other in the country,” comments Coach Waterman. “The university has a rich tradition of producing outstanding citizens who, after graduation, move on to have a positive impact on society. Anyone that lives the StFX experience carries with them a passion and deep sense of pride for the university. As an alumnus, becoming the new head football coach of the St. Francis Xavier X-Men is a dream come true. My goal is to develop our football program to a point where it is continuously competitive at the national level.”
During Gary’s time as defensive coordinator for the X-Men, his defense has posed some impressive numbers. In 2008, five athletes were named AUS defensive all-stars, as well as one All-Canadian and the President’s Trophy nominee for CIS Defensive Player of the Year. In recent years, the X-Men defense has been annually recognized as one of the top defenses in the country. Gary will serve as the offensive coordinator for the 2009 season, where he will work hard to achieve the same kind of success on the other side of the ball.
Coach Waterman currently resides in Antigonish with his wife Andrea and their three children. He will assume the X-Men head coaching responsibilities on February 1, 2009.