Garitano Is Leader Of The Line

10/3/2012 7:54:00 AM | By: By Anna Kochigina

Nick Garitano

As the football season is in full swing, Central Oklahoma senior center Nick Garitano keeps learning and working hard to lead the Bronchos.

“My goals are to give up the least amount of sacks and have a lot of key blocks that spring big plays,” said Garitano, who will lead UCO against No. 8-ranked Northwest Missouri Saturday afternoon at Wantland Stadium. “Our team can improve on the way we start games and how we react to adversity.

“We've seen improvements in the right direction, but it all falls on the leaders of the team and how they carry themselves. For the time that you're on the field, nothing else matters except for what's going on in your game.”

“Nick is the leader of our offensive line unit,” UCO offensive coordinator and line coach Chris Martin said. “He's very coachable and respectful and tries to do things the way we teach him. He's been one of the most consistent and reliable players on offense and I expect him to continue excelling this season.”

UCO head coach Nick Bobeck knows how valuable Garitano is to the team.

“Nick touches the ball every snap and is in charge of making front calls and protection calls before snapping the football,” Bobeck said. “He's a smart guy who can put himself and others in positive situations. Nick's had some injuries this year, but he's playing well and shows up with an attitude that he's going to get better every day.”

“Nick is a great teammate,” team captain Sam Moses said. “He leads by example and works hard every day to do the little things right. He's as serious as can be on the field, but once he steps out off he's a comedian and is one of the funniest guys on the team for sure.”

Garitano put on pads for the first time when he was 10 and claims his parents, Brenda Benson and Garret Garitano, had a great impact on this decision.

“My mom was a tremendous inspiration for me,” Nick said. “She loves football and told me that if she could, she would play and I also always wanted to play football because my dad played it in college (at Delta State).”

Garitano was a two-way line star at Monte Vista High School in Danville, Calif., picking up All-Eastbuy Athletic League recognition while also lettering in lacrosse.

Nick started his college career at Diablo Valley (Calif.) College, playing both center and guard during a two-year career there. He earned All-Golden Gate Conference and Region 2 California juco All-State honors as a sophomore, then came to UCO last year and saw starting duty at three different positions.

“I took an official visit to UCO and really liked the look and feel of the campus and stadium,” Garitano said. “My favorite part is that now I can say I am a part of a football program that has a history of excellence and I'm playing for some great coaches who are alumni.'”

Garitano also said he likes all his UCO professors because they take the time to get to know their students and want them to succeed.

But as much as he enjoys UCO and life in Oklahoma, Garitano misses his California family.

“I'm used to having everyone at my games,” Nick said. “They are my motivation. I think of them and how I want to make them proud. It helps that we can video chat and they can listen to me play on the radio.”

Garitano is majoring in criminal justice and said he would like to be a detective after graduation.

“On my list of priorities, school is first,” Garitano said. “It's not difficult to balance sports and school as long as you have good focus and dedication.”

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