In our third college commitment ceremony of the school year, five student-athletes in the Class of 2025 made their college choices official. 

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

Mason Alnutt of Amherst – Purdue University (football)
Ryan Gaine of Orchard Park – Furman University (football)
George Wiley V of Lockport – Central Connecticut State University (football)
Griffin Zgoda of East Amherst – Baldwin Wallace University (volleyball)
Logan Unger of West Seneca – Penn State Behrend (volleyball)
 
Ten members of the Class of 2024 have committed to collegiate athletic programs thus far.

CHS will have additional student-athletes committing throughout the school year; those students will participate in a ceremony in the spring. 
 
Eighteen CHS student-athletes committed to college programs last year.
 
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%.
 
"These are great days for our school. These young men and their families have put an enormous amount of time, energy, dedication, commitment, you name it – but you have had to do it to get to this point where they can go on and play the sports that they love in college," said Mauro. 

"It is growing more and more difficult, with the way the NCAA has changed, for students coming out of high school to go directly into four-year schools. So we are really, really proud of our guys' accomplishments to be able to go there. 

"It's a testament to our school, to our president Fr. Ciancimino, to our principal, Mr. Coppola, to all the teachers, to all the counselors, and especially to all the coaches. Our coaches spend an enormous amount of time with our student-athletes. They have helped them, in some way, shape or form, to get to this level."  
 
The five seniors were introduced by Mauro and honored for their achievements before each stood up and expressed their gratitude. President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., and Principal Tom Coppola '01 were on hand in the Brady Conference Room along with many family members, coaches, classmates, friends and other members of the CHS community. 



Mason Alnutt of Amherst – Purdue University (football)

Alnutt originally committed to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas on football's National Signing Day in December. However, coach Barry Odom left UNLV for Purdue and subsequently extended a scholarship offer to Alnutt to join the Boilermakers of the Big 10. 

Alnutt, an All-Western New York first-teamer at defensive end and two-way starter for the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association champion Crusaders, verbally committed to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in early August 2024 after receiving eight scholarship offers.

The two-time All-Catholic first-team selection finished his career with 123 total tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, and he helped block for a team offense that averaged 382 yards per game over three years.
 
Coach Kraig Kurzanski '84 on Alnutt:
 
"Mason is a consummate team player. He was asked to change positions. He never griped, and he did all he could do to help us win games. His resilience and toughness is what we will miss most. He is an excellent player, and Purdue is getting a high character, high-motor, young man who is only getting better.
 
"Mason has shown future Crusaders what it is to dedicate yourself to getting in the best physical shape possible, and how to change your physical attributes in the weight room."
 
Allnutt:
 
"I want to thank Coach 'K' for the kind words and welcoming me here four years ago. Without him, and the rest of the coaching staff, the story would have been completely different.

"I want to thank my teammates, including my guys sitting here. We all pushed each other every day in practice – we had fun and we got the job done, winning games. Seeing you guys in school every day, along with the rest of my classmates back here, it's really been the best four years of my life.

"And finally, I want to thank my family and my parents for pushing me every day and and believing in me, and, you know, helping me chase my dreams. Go Boilermakers."



Ryan Gaine of Orchard Park – Furman University (football)
 
Gaine dedicated himself to becoming a long snapper, where he excelled for the Crusaders and impressed college coaches to the point where he will continue his career for the Division I Furman Paladins. 

"Ryan is the best long snapper I have coached," said Kurzanski. "Always working on his craft, Ryan became an excellent special teamer. In 88 snap attempts over 3 years Ryan never missed a snap. He was always money. Ryan also contributed on seven tackles. A great teammate and friend, Ryan worked exceptionally hard to attain the level he is at. Furman is getting a great special teams player but even a better young man. Ryan will be missed. I know he will be successful in whatever he chooses in life."
 
Gaine:
 
"I've got a lot of people to thank. I just want to start by thanking God. He's been with me, I feel like every part of the my journey. With all the moving I've done in my life, it's kind of been my rock.

"I want to thank my teammates, many of which sit with me today and are in this room. You guys have been awesome, man, nothing but great things to say about you.

"I want to thank my family, many of which are sitting in here, grandparents, uncles, anyone who's been there for me, it means a lot.

"Last but not least, I want to thank my coaches, my some of my earlier coaches and obviously Coach Kurzanski. Coach, I just want to thank you for taking a chance on 180-pound kid from across the country. You've always been good to me, and I'll remember that for the rest of my life. Thank you." 


 
George Wiley of Lockport – Central Connecticut State University (football)
 
"George is a large personality and a caring friend, son and teammate," said Kurzanski. "An outstanding offensive lineman and nose guard, George is the epitome of a high school player. His work ethic, care level, and commitment to the cause is unmatched. He is an excellent teammate.

"A dominating offensive lineman, George has played center and guard. George led the team in pancake blocks." 

A first-team All-Catholic and second-team All-WNY player, Wiley had 41 tackles with five tackles for loss this season.

For his career, Wiley amassed 61 tackles with seven tackles for losses and two sacks. Like Alnutt, he was part of a unit that helped block for a team offense that averaged 382 yards per game over three years. 

Wiley:
 
"I first want to give a big thanks to my parents. Above all, they've made the most sacrifices in this very long and enjoyable journey – one of the biggest being coming to Canisius after sophomore year. It was something we never thought we'd be able to make happen, but ever since then, the relationships, the connections I've made, have truly been remarkable.

"That leads me into thanking all my coaches, including the big man, Coach 'K.' Thank you for the kind words. We have a bond for life, coach, you know ... we've gotten up here, spoken about each other multiple times, and I really want to keep you close throughout the rest of my life, coach, so I appreciate you.

"I appreciate everybody, teachers, teammates, everything, who were able to make this thing possible and go play Division I football. Thank you."

Mauro then told a short story about Wiley: 

"George transferred in his junior year and we were probably about three or four weeks into the football season, which can become overwhelming for people who transfer into school, with the amount of time in football, the amount of time in terms of studies and the such. 

"We were out at Stransky before a game, and I said to him, 'George, let me ask you: How are your classes going?

"He goes, 'Oh, they're hard. They're hard and they take a lot of time.' 

"Then he said, 'That's exactly the reason I came here. I came here to be challenged and be better when I leave.'

"And I walked away, and I said to myself, this young man is going to do special things in his life."



Logan Unger of West Seneca – Penn State Behrend (volleyball) 

A four-year starter, Unger was the captain and MVP of the team this past season. He is a two-time All-Catholic selection.

"Logan led the team in almost every statistical category," said coach Angelo Calabrese '00. "Logan was asked to move to a completely different position right before the playoffs started, and he showed by example that he is a team-first player as he delivered with skill and composure. Logan, thank you for four amazing years and we looking forward to seeing you at the next level."

Unger:

"I just want to start off by thanking my parents. They've always been able to support me and push me through the hard times, even the easy times, being able to push me as hard as I possibly can and make myself better person from it. 

"I want to thank my coaches, Coach Angelo, Coach Weislo. I don't think I would have even been able to play volleyball this long without you guys, and be able to keep going after high school. So I really appreciate everything you guys have done. Thanks to coach Angelo, for being able to trust me with everything, being able to make the smart decisions and everything like that.

"I want to thank my teammates, this guy right here, and everyone back there, everyone that's been with me on this journey, I just appreciate it. Thanks a lot."
 


Griffin Zgoda of East Amherst – Baldwin Wallace University (volleyball)

Zgoda was an All-Catholic selection this past season in a sport which he began as a sophomore. 

"Griffin's dedication to the team was apparent since Day One, even as he stepped into a sport that was new to him," said Calabrese. "Griffin went from not being sure he wanted to play to being named one of the team captains and then earned our award for Offensive Player of the Year. Canisius Volleyball thanks you for your hard work and dedication, Griffin – we can't wait to see you succeed in college." 

Zgoda:

"I'd like to just thank my parents for all the sacrifices they made for me, whether it's Canisius, baseball, hockey, volleyball, all of it growing up through the years. All my best memories are from sports and hanging out with you guys, so thank you for that. 

"I'd also like to thank my teammates, Logan, all the guys in the back, friends, teachers, Coach Hop, for supporting me along the way. I'd like to thank Coach Weislo for welcoming me into the volleyball program and Coach Angelo for always supporting me. Coach Angelo truly cares about all his players, and that really means a lot to me. Thank you."
 
Previously committing for CHS have been: 

Patrick Enright of Orchard Park to the College of the Holy Cross (football). Enright committed on football's National Signing Day on Dec. 4.

These seniors were part of a ceremony on Nov. 13, 2024, the first day for commitments to Division I programs in sports other than football:

Isaiah Aljuwani of Kenmore – Boston University (rowing)
Liam Feeney of West Seneca – Boston University (rowing)
Caleb Jackson of Cheektowaga – D'Youville University (baseball)
Josh Monti of West Seneca – Fredonia State (baseball)