Brian Septelli talks about Little Italy as far as it goes

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It is quite possible to write a whole book about the history of sport in Little Italy on Copper Cliff.

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From the legendary Tobazzini brothers – both Zilio and Jerry played in the National Hockey League – to footballer Gene Septelli, who competed in both NFL and Major League Soccer, and descended through hundreds of kids circling around the fun, neighborhood above La hill was a hive for physical activity.

Brian Septelli never made it to the professional ranks, but the man who absolutely went on to make his legacy as a manager while at St Charles College still remembers the roots of his journey.

“I was very fortunate and privileged to have grown up in Copper Cliff,” said the teacher of more than three decades, all spent in Sudbury. “Outside the Sudbury Arena, we were one of the few to have an indoor skating rink. We grew up with that rink, two baseball fields and a curling club. I remember the great thrill with the Legion Baseball League back in the days when they were forming teams.

“All these boxes are full of colorful shirts – I was so excited to see which team you will play for.”

Now 74, Ceppetelli admits, as everyone does, how much the landscape of what it was like to be a child has changed. Out of simple necessity alone, children in those days were more independent – and parents were more than good at it. There was a collective feeling of caring for each other, prevalent in Little Italy, but also in cities and towns from coast to coast.

“My father had different jobs and my mother was busy at home or as a volunteer at the church or at the Italian club, so they didn’t have time to come and see me play,” she said. “I remember leaving the house at 7 am, headed for Stanley Stadium, always at dinner time. Today there will be a bulletin from all points to look for the baby. “

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“Parents weren’t afraid or anxious when I was in town – that’s just what you had to do.”

Snapping as he walked away from the Copper Cliff Public School, after finishing his class, to check on his cousin Jane and high school students at training and soccer games, Septelli wasn’t entirely happy when his mother, the devout Catholic that she was. , he decided to give up by sending his eldest son to the local high school for St. Charles College, located on Pine Street.

Luckily, he quickly made friends, introducing himself to the likes of Ray Lamothe, Mike Jacobo and Gary Crotto, with sport as a leitmotif.

“Suddenly, I got into a situation where I train every day and then worry about finding a way back home,” Septelli said. “We ride our bikes around the corner to the classroom, usually, we drive pretty fast.”

Ceppetelli was competing at a time when he was perfectly allowed to play both Copper Cliff Minor Hockey and high school hockey, enjoying just one year as a junior cardinal (he pressed in two football seasons), before finishing the grade again. 13 with rival coach Burt McClelland and Cooper Cliff Braves.

“They insisted that I quit mini hockey to play at St. Charles College,” Septelli said.

It wouldn’t fly, especially considering the young blueliner was born with a stubborn streak that he still admits today. He was already working in the mines in early fall when Cooper Cliff’s friend Dennis Hannah suggested that his senior year in high school in his hometown was worth trying.

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Ceppetelli, who ironically went from some of his earliest obsessions to Bepi Polano and eventually made a lifelong friendship, along with much of the hockey game’s card house training tradition, said.

“Here I am, 3,400 feet in the Creighton mine, and I ended up winning a high school hockey championship in Ontario.”

While hockey was still progressing well, Ceppetelli continued to play for a few years with the Laurentian Voyageurs, leading the team into its final season on campus, the balance between athletics and academics was hardly a strong point. His father died when he was still very young and the “lost boy”, as he put it, was grateful for some of the major hockey bonds he was able to form.

“I’ve been off the rails as much as a student,” admitted Septili. “I was on academic probation and Jack (Porter, coach) spoke very well to me. He and Burt (Mccleland) will remain forever in my heart and mind, just because of what they did for me. “

Fortunately, Ceppetelli successfully worked his way to punishment, earning a college degree for his teachers and accepting an offer at St. Raphael’s Catholic Primary School.

Somehow, the door to the SCC remained open.

“Father Jerry Lalonde let me in that door and the rest is history; it turned out to be an incredible career ”.

Now there was an opportunity to give back – and training was the natural way.

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“In my opinion, I mainly trained while playing,” said Septelli. “I was going to create these scenarios in my mind. I think I’ve always expected to go from playing to training ”.

As much as St. Charles has been very successful under his watch, the man who spent years behind the bench with the likes of Bob Palmero, Mike Fox and Rob Zanata is still proud to keep a healthy outlook.

“If there were 10 forwards or 11 forwards, you had to find a way to make everyone feel part of the team. The kids all know that some of the best players will play more, but no guy ever understands that he has to put his ass on the bench and take a turn every period. “

Little Italy’s lessons were clearly rooted. And as you know in the beginning, keep sharing as long as it’s fun.

“I really enjoyed myself,” said Septili – and that says it all.

Nickel City Nostalgia goes every two weeks to The Sudbury Star.