Off-Season Profiles: Nathan Cayouette, Ben Hadley & Zachary Houde

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.