In this year's second signing ceremony at Canisius High School, seven more Crusaders were honored as they made official their commitment to college athletic programs.

The senior student-athletes who expressed their thanks and appreciation in the Brady Conference Room were:

Gio Amodeo '24 of Buffalo – Fredonia State (baseball)
Aaron Jones '24 of Amherst – Westminster College (baseball)
Cooper Prizel '24 of Derby – Niagara County Community College (baseball)
Hunter Jantzi '24 of Orchard Park – Seton Hill University (football)
Kevon Walker '24 of Buffalo – St. Francis University (football)
McNamara Quinn '24 of Glenwood – Le Moyne College (golf)
Aiden Mecca '24 of Lancaster – St. Bonaventure University (rugby)

Six CHS senior athletes made their commitments to college programs in November. An additional ceremony will be held in the spring as more members of the Class of 2024 make their decisions.

Canisius is again in line to have around 15-20% of its senior class participate in college athletics, according to Director of Athletics Jim Mauro, which is far above the national average of less than 2%.

"It's a tremendous, tremendous honor for the school."

Mauro lauded the academic and athletic infrastructure at CHS, where these students have honed their skills and grown into young men who are able to make this commitment; he also honored the families of the students.

"For athletes to reach this level takes an enormous amount of commitment by families," said Mauro, "whether it's Mom and Dad, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandmas grandpas. It's a common theme."

The seven seniors were introduced by Mauro and honored for their achievements before each stood up and expressed their gratitude.

Gio Amodeo '24 of Buffalo – Fredonia State (baseball)

Amodeo was second on the Crusaders in RBIs last year while batting .250.

"Gio is a very hard worker always asking questions to get the best out of his skill set," said CHS baseball coach Justin Santonocito. "He will play multiple positions this year and will be a big bat in the middle of our lineup."

Amodeo:

"I just want to thank my parents right here for all the sacrifices they made throughout the years traveling and all that.

"I want to thank my coaches, coach Justin and coach Podlas for guiding me and my development of baseball, and my teammates here and over there -- those are the guys that kind of help you through those challenges, the tough times through the year."

Aaron Jones '24 of Amherst – Westminster College (baseball)

A second-team All-Catholic selection as a junior, Jones will be a third-year varsity baseball player.

"Aaron is a great teammate and always has a smile on his face," said Santonocito. "He has been a big part of our success the past two seasons. Aaron is a big bat for us and will cause major issues for teams on the basepaths."

Jones was also an outstanding member of the CHS volleyball program.

Jones:

"I would just like to thank all my teachers, my family, all my friends and my coaches for supporting me no matter what.

"And I especially would like to thank my parents for making this all possible. I love you guys. Thank you. I could not have done it without you."

Cooper Prizel '24 of Derby – Niagara County Community College (baseball)

Prizel had a very productive junior season, making 10 appearances on the mound, posting a 2.54 ERA and leading the team in innings pitched.

"Coop is a leader," Santonocito said. "He's always there to pick up a teammate or to take the ball in a big situation. He will be an integral part of our team this year."

Prizel:

"Thank you to my parents, my brother, my grandma – I don't think my grandma missed a game all year. And Canisius for giving me the opportunity to play here, coach Justin, and all of my buddies back there … thank you guys.

"Everyone up here, I know we're all so thankful. Thank you."

Hunter Jantzi '24 of Orchard Park – Seton Hill University (football)

Coach Kraig Kurzanski '84 said Jantzi was "the leader of our defense – a quiet leader who plays with great desire and intelligence."

Jantzi led Western New York in tackles his junior year and was rewarded with many postseason honors, including a two-time All-Western New York selection.

"An exceptionally cerebral player, Hunter often set the defense for our team," Kurzanski said.

Jantzi had 18 tackles for loss and 88 total tackles with four sacks; as a fullback this past season Hunter helped lead the way for CHS to rush for more than 2,400 yards. He scored four touchdowns as well.

"A natural, quiet leader, Seton Hill is getting a great player, but even a better person," said Kurzanski. "Hunter will be hard to replace."

Jantzi:

"I'd like to first start off saying thank you to my mom, dad, all my family who have led me to be the man I am today. My friends, from Orchard Park to Canisius.

"And my coaches, coach Rome [Jerome Brundige], coming in as a junior, I didn't know him. Me and him got to have a good, special bond. And Coach 'K' for helping me through the recruiting process.

"And also Canisius – coming here as a transfer, not knowing many people, they really helped me get to be the man I am today through the great athletic and academic opportunities. I'm thankful for the opportunity that Seton Hill gave me as well."

Kevon Walker '24 of Buffalo – St. Francis University (football)

'Kevon Walker came to Canisius to change his life, and he has," said coach Kraig Kurzanski '84.

Walker, an integral member of the CHS defense the past two years, earned a full scholarship to St. Francis University in Pennsylvania.

"Kevon has changed in so many ways and continues to mature as a young adult," Kurzanski said. "He has become a good student and is poised to be successful in college."

"An All-Catholic first-team defensive team player this past season, Kevon is ready to make the jump to Division I football," Kurzanski said. "This year for us Kevon had 41 total tackles with 12 tackles for losses and six sacks. Kevon continues to mature and is becoming a better leader as well as a better person. Kevon has changed his life and he will do well at St. Francis University."

Walker:

"I would like to thank my mom, coach [Tim] Pringle ... my coaches, my grandma, my sister right here.

"And coach [Paul] Woods. Coach Woods brought me in – he didn't know who I was, but he saw me on social media and looked at my highlights and gave me a chance.

"I'd like to thank my mom, through all the ups and downs. I'm thankful for everything, I'm thankful for sure. I'd like to thank everybody, and I'd like to thank the coaches from St. Francis for giving me a full ride. Thank you."

McNamara Quinn '24 of Glenwood – Le Moyne College (golf)

Quinn was a key member of this year's golf team; he was instrumental in helping lead the Crusaders to an undefeated season at 12-0 and to the All-Catholic Championship.

Quinn's stroke average of 38.8 for nine holes ranked him eighth in the league. He qualified for the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association tournament, which is held in May.

According to Coach Joe Mitchell, "Mac is a quiet, hard worker. I have no doubt he will continue to develop his game and have a lot of success at the college level."

Quinn:

"I just want to thank my family, obviously, they're always there to help me with whatever it is, even if it's not golf – they're always there.

"I want to give a special thank-you to my dad and my grandpa who introduced me to this game that I love so much at 3 years old, and my mom for her constant support.

"I'd like to thank my teammates, coaches, teachers, and everyone here at Canisius who are always there to push me to be my best on a day-to-day basis.

"And I'd also like to thank coach [Joe] Tesori of Le Moyne, for giving me this great opportunity. I'm excited to see where it takes me."

Aiden Mecca '24 of Lancaster – St. Bonaventure University (rugby)

Mecca joined the Canisius rugby team as a freshman, the first season following a break due to COVID and his first experience playing the game.

"Mecca was a sponge and took to the game quickly," said coach Charlie Ehlers. "In a season plagued by poor numbers on other teams, our program was strong, so strong in fact that we often had to lend players to other teams. He often volunteered to play for the other team because he wanted to show he should have been in the lineup." 

His sophomore season was plagued by injuries; but in his junior campaign Mecca returned to the pitch with a vengeance.

"Early on, he established himself as a weapon at the openside flanker position. Every hit he made was bone-crunching and every run he carried was punishing."

Mecca averaged over 100 meters carried per game and an astonishing 14 tackles per game, statistics which helped earn him a spot on WNY/Upstate All-State Team. He has been a part of two league championships with Canisius.

He will compete at one of the best Division I rugby programs in the nation at St. Bonaventure, which has played in two of the last three national championships and is consistently ranked in the top three in the country.

Mecca:

"I just want to thank my mom and my dad, my little sister, coach [Charlie] Ehlers, coach [Jack] Wiles especially because he convinced me to play rugby.

"And also my football coaches, too, because I don't think I would be the player I am without playing football. Thank you coach 'K' [Kraig Kurzanski], coach [Tim] Pringle, coach [Richard] Posey and all my teammates for football too.

"So thank you so much. And thank you St. Bonaventure for the opportunity."

Honored during our fall signing ceremony were:

James Dodman '24 of Buffalo – Columbia University (rowing)
Aaron Eberhard '24 of Buffalo – St. Bonaventure University (lacrosse)
Teddy Hibbard '24 of Buffalo – University of California-Berkeley (rowing)
Ivan Roeder '24 of Orchard Park – Le Moyne College (lacrosse)
Colton Schoenberger '24 of Williamsville – Le Moyne College (lacrosse)
Vito Verni '24 of Buffalo – Walsh University (baseball)