Over the summer, we caught up with X-Men Football's Nathan Cayouette, Ben Hadley and Zachary Houde on their off-season plans, favourite moments at StFX and what they're looking forward to this season — plus more!
To watch Nathan, Ben and Zachary in action with the X-Men, check out the full 2023 season schedule and purchase game tickets here.
Nathan Cayouette
Nickname: Coyote
Summer Bucket List Item: Climbing Mist Mountain in Alberta to watch the sunrise
Pre-Game Pump Up Song: Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
Favourite StFX Memory: Going back to back undefeated seasons & Loney Bowl champs
Funniest Teammate: Gabriel Pelletier
Favourite Pro Team: LA Chargers
What are you up to this summer?
Living the east coast lifestyle; buying and delivering lobsters, sightseeing the Maritimes, and getting 1% better everyday.
What's your favourite off-season workout/activity?
Speed sessions with our strength and speed coach Jordan.
What are you most excited for this season?
Showing out for the X community as we try to go for a 3-peat and a Vanier Cup.
Ben Hadley
Nickname: Hadley or Hads
Summer Bucket List Item: To dunk a basketball and get it on video so people believe me when I say I can dunk
Pre-Game Pump Up Song: Whatever one of the guys plays on the locker room speakers
Favourite StFX Memory: The 2022 Loney Bowl against Mount Allison
Funniest Teammate: Chidera Oragui
Favourite Pro Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
What are you up to this summer?
This summer I've been working out and training and then I am also bartending and working at Lululemon.
What's your favourite off-season workout/activity?
Football related, I love to go out and kick footballs with other guys around Halifax who are university and local high school players. Outside of football, I enjoy going golfing with my friends.
What are you most excited for this season?
Getting back to campus in August with all the guys and starting our journey towards the 2023 Loney Bowl and Vanier Cup.
Zachary Houde
Nickname: Houdini
Summer Bucket List Item: Jump out of an airplane (a moving airplane would be better)
Pre-Game Pump Up Song: Fantaisie-impromptu by Chopin (not a pump up, more to relax and focus)
Favourite StFX Memory: When one of our busses broke down in the preseason going to Acadia
Funniest Teammate: Justin Letendre-Lampron
Favourite Pro Athlete: DeAndre Hopkins or Marvin Harrison
What are you up to this summer?
Working with lobsters a lot, buying and selling them. Work, workout, eat, sleep.
What's your favourite off-season workout/activity?
Definitely going in remote places with friends in the woods and hike or camp. No phones, nothing. Just the sweet smell of nature and the silence of trees.
What are you most excited for this season?
Winning the Vanier Cup for the first time since 1966.