Coaching Staff

GARY WATERMAN 
Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Gary Waterman is in his 1st season as Head Coach of the X-Men football program. For the past three seasons Gary was the Defensive Coordinator with the X-Men, and his hiring as the head coach marked the first time in StFX history that an alumnus has lead the X-Men football team.

Gary’s background in coaching began 16 years ago at Father Michael Goetz High School in Mississauga. During his time at Father Michael Goetz he served as a head coach, offensive coordinator and special teams coach. He was also head coach of the basketball and track and field teams.
 
During Gary’s time as defensive oordinator for the X-Men, his defense has posed some impressive numbers. In 2008, five of its members were named as AUS conference all-stars, as well as one all-Canadian and President’s Trophy nominee. In recent years, the X-Men defense has been annually recognized as one of the top defenses in the country. Gary will also serve as the X-Men Offensive Coordinator and the receivers coach for the 2009 season.

DON DAVIS
Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks
A native of Montreal, Don was the quarterback of the University of New Brunswick Red Bombers for four years, leading them to Atlantic Bowl appearances in 1969 and 1970. He was instrumental in bringing football to Fredericton High School in 1985 and served as head coach from 1985 to 1993 and again in 1996. In that ten year period his teams won eight New Brunswick Provincial Championships.

Included among the quarterbacks who honed their skills under Don Davis are Sean Hickey of Mount Allison University who was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player in the 1991 Vanier Cup; Allison Brooks, a five year starting quarterback at Mt. Allison (1993-1997); and Tristan Hovey, a former McGill University quarterback.

JON SVEC
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
Jon Svec is entering his second season as a coach with the X-Men, and his first season as Defensive Coordinator and full-time Assistant. Jon served as the Defensive Line coach last season, working with a unit that was part of the top rush defense in the country. Jon received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Waterloo, where he played linebacker for 5 years for the University of Waterloo Warriors Varsity Football Team.



MATT CLARK
Linebackers
Matt Clark is entering his second season as an assistant coach for the X-Men. Matt came to the X-Men after coaching five seasons as a Defensive Coordinator for Ballenas Whalers High School in Parksville, British Columbia. Matt is happy to continue his coaching career with the X-Men defense and will be working with the linebackers and the force unit.




TERRY CHISHOLM
Running Backs
Coach Chisholm is returning for his 21st consecutive season with the X-Men. Terry will once again coach the running backs in 2009. Coach Chisholm was the recipient of the 2008 Gino Fracas Award, a national award that recognizes outstanding career service by a volunteer assistant coach. He is very active in minor sports in the Antigonish area, including football, soccer and hockey. An Antigonish native, he is the vice-principal at St. Mary’s Academy in Sherbrooke.

SAM MOREAU
Offensive Line
After a three year absence Coach Moreau returns to the X-Men as the Offensive Line Coach. Coach Moreau was the X-Men Offensive Line coach from 1999 to 2004. A former standout with the Q.E.H. Lions in Halifax, Coach Moreau brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the X-Men. After completing an outstanding playing career with StFX, Sam attended Dalhousie Law School, graduating in 1996. He is currently a staff lawyer with the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission in the Port Hawkesbury office.


DAVE BANCE
Defensive Line
After an absence, Coach Bance is returning as the X-Men Defensive Line coach. As a player at StFX, Dave was a five year starter and an AUS All-Star. He received his Bachelor of Arts from StFX, his Bachelors of Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and his Masters of Education from the University of Portland Oregon. Dave is currently the Principal at Rev H.J. MacDonald School in Heatherton and resides in Tracadie, NS with his wife Jody and their three children Riley, Hannah, and Cailunn.


WALLY PROCTOR
Defensive Line Assistant
Wally is an Antigonish native who has spent over 10 years as a coach with the local minor system, giving him a well rounded experience that allows him to have some insight at all positions. Over the years Wally has been a student of the game achieving a NCCP Level III coaching certification. He played offensive and defensive line for the UCCB Capers inaugural football team in 1990, where he had the pleasure of learning under the guidance of George Brancato, former CFL head coach. Although he has never played for the X-Men, he grew up following and supporting the team and is dedicated to helping them achieve their ultimate goal, a Vanier Cup win. Wally will be assisting Dave Bance with the Defensive Line duties this year.

BOB CHISHOLM
Strength & Conditioning
Bob is a 1983 StFX Physical Education graduate and has his Canadian National Personal Trainer Certification and Twist Level I Strength and Conditioning Certification. While attending StFX, Bob was a member of the varsity and junior varsity hockey teams and the varsity wrestling team. Following graduation, he taught physical education at the high school level in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia for two years prior to joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Bob was a member of the RCMP for over 19 years serving in Vancouver, BC, Montreal, Que., Gander, NFLD and Halifax, NS. During his service with the RCMP, Bob gained further training with the Emergency Response Team and Tactical Units. His strength and conditioning training experience includes training with and preparing members of the Canadian Military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Fire Fighting Services. A lifetime multi-sport athlete, Bob has focused his passion as a coach and trainer specifically with elite athletes and emergency response personnel.

RORY CAMPBELL
Graduate Assistant, Offensive Line
After completing a five year career with the X-Men, Rory is now making the transition to coaching as a Graduate Assistant on the ‘09 staff. Rory will assist Coach Moreau with the Offensive Line, as he enters into his second and final year of a Bachelor of Education degree at StFX. A five year starter, Rory was also a two time captain, ‘07 AUS Russ Jackson Nominee, and 2007 East West Bowl Participant.



DAN ARPIN
Graduate Assistant, Running Backs/Special Teams
Dan Arpin is a StFX graduate with a major in modern languages and former member of the X-Men. He is entering his first year of Education, and first full season of coaching with the X-Men. He will be assisting Coach Chisholm with the running backs as well as with special teams.





GEOFF BACHEYIE
Graduate Assistant, Defensive Scout
Geoff enters his second season coaching with the X-Men. He plans on a career in Law Enforcement and is currently working at L’Arche. A graduate of StFX, Geoff was an outstanding player for the X-Men as a full-back and defensive tackle.





CURTIS CAMMAERT
Graduate Assistant, Wide Receivers
Curtis brings enthusiasm and energy as well as skill to his first year coaching with the X-Men. He was an outstanding player and winner of the special teams award in 2008.






EQUIPMENT MANAGERS

                
Emily Armsworthy         Ryan Fahey                 Desiree Thomas


STUDENT THERAPISTS

               
Brenna MacPhail          Phil Sheppard             Brendon Wallace