Vince Romano, Showcase in a Mindset

Vince Romano, Showcase in a Mindset
by: Lead Journalist - Jasmine Ng

 “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. – Vince Romano”

Getting a personal phone call from George St. Lawrence the founder and CEO of CDFL to congratulate Vince Romano on being invited to the 3^rd annual CDFL Euro-America Challenge was an incredible honour. Vince Romano was told he is one of their top players chosen to represent Team USA. This Euro-America Challenge will take place on December 19^th, 2014 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Vince Romano a native born in Long Island, New York. At age six his family moved to a small town located in upstate New York. Oneonta, New York is where he calls home. The lifestyle in Oneonta, New York is a slower pace than the big apple. It isn’t a bad thing though. It is a great small community where everyone knows each other and supports one another. He has played football since the age of 10. He played Pee Wee football with the Oneonta Cowboys and in high school he ended up playing for the Oneonta High School Yellowjackets. He ended up playing division two football in college at Pace University. As a freshman at Pace, he was red-shirted. In his senior year at Pace University, he was named Team Captain. Also was named Northeast 10-All Conference Defensive Team and won the Defensive Player of the year award for Pace University the same year.

When senior year season ended at Pace University for Vince Romano, he was invited to the 3^rd annual National Bowl All Star Game. He was named starter for the game. He had the privilege to attend the 2013/2014 NFL Regional Combine last February. Later he received an invitation to play in the 2014 Euro-American Classic Bowl game that will take place in December 2014.

“I would describe my playing style as aggressive. I truly believe that you have to mentally tough on the field and be physically tough as well. When I hit offensive players I want them to feel it. I want them to go back to the huddle and say “I don’t want to be hit by that Linebacker again”. It’s a mindset. – Vince Romano”

A mind of an athlete has many physical and mentally abilities when they are in the domain. Vince Romano considers his physical ability and his football IQ as his strong points. He considers himself as a gym rat. He is a dedicated athlete that trains five days a week in keeping his body in top shape. Keeping himself in top physical condition to him is key in becoming a professional football player. In college, he would call out all defensive plays on the field, make checks and audibles when necessary and make sure his teammates would be lined up correctly. What he learnt through experience, watching film is the most important to understand and know your opponent stone cold.

“I knew not only what I had to do on a certain play call, but what my ten other teammates had to do and here they had to be. Knowledge is power in football and I pride myself on being the smartest football player on the field. - Vince Romano”

 As an athlete, Vince Romano is constantly trying to improve as a player. He works specifically on his speed and explosiveness. The more he works, the better he will achieve to his goal. Athletically he doesn’t want any limitations set on him. He strives always to become a better overall athlete and football player. When we say he strives to do more, he recently started to take Brazilian Jujitsu classes in his hometown. One reason for him to take on a new sport if he could do football he can handle mixed martial arts as well. It is a sport that one versus one combat style of jujitsu. It relates back to football in who is going to step up and finish their opponent. Vince Romano also does yoga classes three days per week to stay flexible and loose while he trains for football. He travels one hour everyday to go train at a gym called Synergy Athletics. His week is broken down in upper body and lower body days. His workouts consist of heavy and one explosive day for both upper body and lower body. It is a totally of four days of weight training. The other three days he would be out on the field and doing explosive running and conditioning drills.

“My ultimate goal is to play in the NFL. That’s been my dream since I first strapped on my helmet during pee wee. I want to show people that just because you didn’t make it to a division 1 football program, that you can still be a great player. Coming from a small school there is a stigma, as if scouts say “no he can’t play for us”. My mission to prove any and all doubters wrong and be someone small school players can look at and say “he did it, why can’t I?” I was a walk-on player my freshman year at Pace. The head coach at the time told me if I made it out of camp, I would be on the team. By the end of my senior year I was named Team Captain. – Vince Romano”

Every football player dreams are to make it to professional level. You can’t get there without working at it. Some takes years to get to their goals and some don’t. Vince Romano has a lot of drive and determination to play professionally. His work ethics and desire for football is without a doubt not to be questioned.  As a football player he would work every player on the field. Vince Romano truly believes that when it comes to who wants it more he wants it more. As a freshman in college he started from the bottom but by senior year, he became Team Captain and an All-Conference Defensive Selection. It takes lots of effort and determination to get where he wants to.

“I have a message to the team that takes a chance on me, - You will not regret it. – Vince Romano”

 Vince Romano’s plans in football include possibly going overseas to play professionally. He has his options opened nonetheless. As a football player, he has been contacted by a handful of teams in Europe requesting him to play for them. To actually have that chance to play overseas is an amazing opportunity to see the world and play the game he loves. It is a once in a life time opportunity. His other plans aside from football, he plans on becoming an NYS Trooper. In the past he has passed his test with a 96%. That Is what he plans to do when it comes the time to hang up his cleats. He would also want to pursue a career in law enforcement just like his father and his eldest brother.

Influences can be a negative thing or a positive outlook for anyone. For Vince Romano, his

most important influences as an athlete would be his parents and his family. From day one

they have supported to make his dream a reality. His father is a retired NYC Police Detective. His mother stayed at home and raised four kids. Before Vince Romano was born, his father was diagnosed with cancer. His father’s doctor had told them that if his father survives cancer, they would not be able to have children anymore because of the chemotherapy.  It was a two percent chance out of the ninety eight percent for them to have children again. In 1990, Vince Romano was born. He was always told by his parents that he was here for a reason and Vince Romano truly believes that he was not here to only play football. But to inspire others to seize the opportunity that comes to them. He is quite thankful for his parent’s everyday and for them to have full support with him on his journey.

As the journey continues for Vince Romano, one of his most memorable football experiences would be his game in the National Bowl All-Star game.  He was named as a starter for the game. On the opening kickoff he made the tackle, down 28-0. In the third quarter, he broke free while covering a punt and revered a fumble to sway momentum for the team. They had scored off from that turnover and on the ensuring kickoff. He dropped the returned inside at the 20 yard line. His final stat line read: 6 solo tackles, 2 solo kickoff tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery.

On the side from his practicing on his own craft, Vince Romano loves to give back to the community. He is an assistant football coach for his high school. He graduated from OHS and as an alumni, he felt that he has lots of wealth and knowledge that was given to him while he was a student in OHS. He felt he needed to do the same to pass on to the next generation of rising stars and mould them to become a greater athlete. As much as he loves the game, he loves coaching and feels that one day he can make the transition to coach full time.

The 2014 CDFL Euro-America Classic Bowl game is well on its way. Vince Romano will be attending to play for Team America on December19, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

“It truly is an honor to represent my country and play against some of the best athletes from Europe. To have an opportunity to play with some of the best players in the country is phenomenal and I look forward to making an impact during the game and getting my name out there for scouts. – Vince Romano”

__________________________SHOUTOUTS_______________________________

I want to give my family a big shout out! As well as my teammates who played with me during my 5 year college career, to my girlfriend Antonia for believing in me. There are too many to name, but I thank all of you guys for pushing me to become not only a better player, but a better man. Thank you all!

My life motto is…

“HARDWORK BEATS TALENT WHEN TALENT DOESN’T WORK HARD”

Vince Romano Resume

Weight/Height:

245Ibs, 6’0

Position:

Linebacker (Middle, Inside, Outside)

Teams:

Pee Wee Oneonta

Oneonta High School Yellowjackets

Pace University Setters

2012 Stats: 88 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 blocked kick

Career Stats: 201 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 5 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 blocked kick

Combine Stats:  (Vertical- 35 in) (Broad-9’2) (Shuttle-4.29 seconds) (Height- 6’0) (weight-245lbs)

*Last ran of the 40 yard dash was in April of 2014 at a tryout for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL. My time was 4.88 seconds

*My best bench press result was 415lbs for 4 reps.

* Bench press: 225lbs was 25 reps.

Film Highlight for Vince Romano -> Vince Romano