The Carleton Ravens men’s football team has added wide receiver Chad Manchulenko to their offence.
Manchulenko played his last season with Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC. Playing for Simon Fraser gave Manchulenko National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division II experience.
Manchulenko will add to the lineup in many different categories, according to the Ravens’ head coach, Steve Sumarah.
“He adds some experience,” Sumarah said. “I think he adds speed. He was a highly sought-after player coming out of high school.”
Sumarah said the signing helps his team look better on paper, making their management and players feel better about their chances.
“We feel pretty good, to be honest. We feel that we’re putting ourselves in a pretty good situation,” he said.
Simon Fraser University is the only Canadian school to participate in American college athletics, giving Manchulenko a unique edge.
“Out in the USA, those guys are a lot bigger. Their training down in the States is intense, so I learned how to be a lot more physical,” Manchulenko said. “My mentality has switched a lot since being over there.”
At the same time, the Canadian receiver said there will be an adjustment period as he returns to Canadian football, the game he played while growing up in Brantford, Ont.
“I’ll have to adapt to how big the field is (in Canada),” Manchulenko said. “Especially playing receiver. You have to motion up to the line now, which I couldn’t really do while playing in the NCAA.”
Sumarah mentioned an adjustment period will take place for Manchulenko as he will have to move from the NCAA division II to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) game.
“On the flipside of that, the game is the game. Once you get going, I think he’ll be fine,” Sumarah said.
Manchulenko’s experience in Canadian football dates back to his youth, with the Ontario Varsity Football League’s Brampton Bulldogs. He made the switch to the American game when he joined the Hebron Academy Lumberjacks, a New England prep school, in the 2012-13 season.
In the end, it was the reputation of Sumarah and his staff that persuaded Manchulenko to join the Ravens. Manchulenko had heard a lot about Carleton in the past, which helped Sumarah persuade him to join the program, according to Manchulenko.
A winning squad doesn’t hurt either, according to Manchulenko.
“I heard a lot about Carleton coming out of high school because they just began that program,” he explained. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the team, the players, coaches and trainers.”
Sumarah said he agrees a winning program tends to attract more players. This helps the Ravens with their recruiting, said the coach of three years.
The team continues to add recruits in the wake of rising expectations for the 2015-16 season.
Manchulenko said he looks to mold with the improving roster.
“I don’t want to come in and ruin any plans. I want to be a part of it,” Manchulenko said.
