Italia, one and oooooooooo...

... well my first game on Italian soil is in the books. Lions came into the game versus Reggio Hogs needing a win to solidify a playoff spot and we got just that. There are many saying in sports but none fits better than "it was ugly, but a win is a win". The scoreline, 27-26, pretty much speaks for how close, or wild for that matter, the game really was. We were able to pull it off with 3 seconds left in the partido; however, but what is even more dramatic is the successful 2 point conversion we got at the end to avoid overtime. All in all, what a great game. I was brought here to Bergamo to help stop the run, and going against one of the premier running teams in all of Italy, the Hogs, the task of providing run support was going to be tested from the first game. Hogs averaged over 375 yards on the ground coming into Bergamo last weekend. They left with only 125 total running yards, one of the lowest totals for Hogs in over three years. Now, we look to the IFL playoffs, where we will face either Parma Panthers, Catania Elephants, or Bolzano Giants. It is a two game season now, and all the teams in the playoffs are 0-0. We have a really good team here in Bergamo and from the looks of things, the team is getting back to 100% coming off some injuries. So that is certainly a plus!

Rumors of Departure

Okay, so there has been a lot of mumbling as to why I left Badalona. And rightfully so. So I feel it is best to clear the air so there is no confusion. I left Dracs because the financial side of football was just not matching up. When I agreed to play for Dracs in August of last year, I agreed to be paid on the 1st of each month. And where I come from, a contract is a contract. You abide by it. Never once, while in Badalona, was that agreed upon payment schedule met. I have finances back in the United States that I arranged to be paid around what Dracs had offered me. When I arrived in Badalona I was then notified that a different payment schedule would be needed. So from the beginning the payment/financial terms of my contract were already not met. I am not pointing these things out to down play the Dracs organization. I am simply stating the facts of the matter at hand. Dracs have a first class organization, in terms of the family approach that they give. The experience in Badalona was one that I will never forget. Nordi, Jordi, Nestor, Pho, Ice, and all of the guys there are truly a great group of men. Men who I was fortunate enough to come across and met. But there is also other financial needs that must be met in order to play football.

Another BBQ

So this week, and next, was a bye leading into the start of the IFL playoffs here in Bergamo. I can say this. These Italians sure do know how to BBQ. They load up on everything, just a real great time from all angles. The guys are great, popping brews and really creating an atmosphere that is welcoming and inviting to me. I really appreciate how all of the guys have treated me because in all honesty I really did not know how I would be welcomed. It was a late season transfer and all. But I can say this, each teammate and now friend I have met here in Bergamo through the Lions is first class. Whether it is cracking jokes about the Lakers and Celtics or just having a good time in each other company. This place is truly remarkable and I am fortunate that Mario and Stefano gave me the chance to play here in Italia.

Stateside in a Month

Yes I know, right around the corner!!! June 28th at 8pm, I will be arriving at LAX, and boy do I have a list of things that I am going to do when I get back. Being in Europe has been extraordinary. I have had the opportunity to live in cities such as Milan, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain, that in itself is something I will remember for the rest of my life. But being away from my family and friends in the US you really realize how much you love them. You take so many things for granted, until they are gone, only then do you realize how much they really mean to you. So June 28th!!! Can't wait!!!

Day before Hogs...

All roads in Bergamo apparently lead to the Reggio Hogs. For myself, it is a one game season here in Italia, win and we go to the playoffs, lose and I go home. There is no grey area, no if's, ands, or buts about what is at stake. It is simple, cut and dry, put it how ever you want it. We need to win. Hogs represent one of the strongest running games in all of Italy and probably Europe. Their is no secret to why I was brought to Bergamo, it is to stop that run and make big plays when the ball is in my hands. Allegedly, the Hogs have a great RB, well I have faced running backs of the likes of Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions, Jerome Harrison, Cleveland Browns, and so many others that have graced the Sunday playing fields. So this task is nothing new to me. So its hours away, its in the air, its football baby! So lets do it!

First Impressions of Italy

Being in Bergamo it is my first experience in Italia all together, and let me tell you it has been a good one. The city itself is filled with history and culture. It is a beautiful site to see. All of Italia in my eyes is just beautiful. But how is your new team? From Day 1, the guys here in Bergamo have been very welcoming and open hearted individuals. Everything that Stefano and the Lions management spoke of leading up to my arrival exceeded my expectations of Bergamo. The Lions run a first class organization, from team dinners to BBQ's, they promote a great sense of team amongst the guys here on the team. And I love it!

The coaches here are great! What do you expect of former NFL players who just love the game! Just being around theses coaches sparked something in me again to really want to just take my game to another-level again. Being in Europe was a test for me after coming off what I went through at Nevada with my injury, depression, and anorexia. Being able to get my confidence back this year and still have that inner fire to continue playing makes me wonder where I am going to go next!

Otra Importos

I know I typically give a breakdown of my American comrades on my blogs so here is a quick excerpt on the red, white, and blue boys. At QB, former Denver Bronco, but you may remember him for spiking balls on DBs heads at Colorado State, yeah that wild man, Bradlee Van Pelt. The second, my down south play maker, Bradley Robinson, who also plays in the CFL with Edmonton, and former Middle Tennessee St play making machine. So there they are, quick intros, I have only been here for two weeks now, but these guys are great, open-minded, humble, and just great to be around. So they have definitely assisted in making this transition to Italia a easy one no doubt.

Talk about Down South

Okay... so I mentioned that Robinson is from the south. You know what that mean? No? It means the man can get down not only on the gridiron but also in that kitchen. I am dead serious! I am talking from fried chicken, pork chops, home made gravy, to just about damn near anything! This man can cook! And for me, that is great! I know am going to get a little deep right now but hell its my blog, so if you don't want to hear it close the tab. B Rob is the first person since being anorexic a year and a half ago who I have just let cook for me and I eat what ever regardless. It had been almost two years now since anorexia and depression consumed my life, and as they say people in our lives represent chapters and/or changes/progressions we make. B Rob, although he may only have known me for weeks does not realize how much he has helped me in finally over coming my last stages of anorexia. I aint going to go into serious details about it, but I will say this, it feels good again to just be me in all aspects of my life. For the first time in a long time, I feel content with myself again, I feel at peace and home inside. There is an inner happiness that I have found again. You do not understand how much anorexia takes a toll on your mind, but I will tell you this. Being in Bergamo, it seems as if all my final hurdles and obstacles just vanished. Thank you!

Okay, okay, okay, enough with the mushy stuff, lets get down to brass tax as they say in the US. Tomorrow here in Bergamo it is going down. Its a must win, we cannot lose, we cannot fail. Lions have a tradition of success, and it is our duty to uphold that. Winning represents more than just a playoff spot. It represents the opportunity to win an Italian Championship and get a place in the EFL Euro Bowl for next season for the Lions... so lets get it on and pop'n!!!

Over n Out!

IG Sports (LIVE!!!!)

IG Sports is now online at: http://www.unr.nevada.edu/~villase8/index.html

IG Sports

Being over seas and now understanding the amount of interest that is here. I begin to notice that many of the top players here throughout Europe have the skills and attributes required to play at the highest-levels in the United States. With that said, I have created and will be starting, taking immediate affect, a low cost service to these international athletes who have the dreams and aspirations to not only play football in the United States, but also study their as well. If you are a coach in Europe, please refer to IG Sports on the Euro Players website. The profile is now up and active. Here is a brief summary of the direction we wish to take this initiative.

IG Sports is a group of former collegiate athletes who strive to help and consult other young athletes from all over the world in their search of a university, where they can continue to pursue their sport at a competitive level with an athletic scholarship and at the same time obtain a degree.

The major reason why this project has developed into a business has been the very expensive fees of some "agencies" or "managements" and the prices they charge to help prospective student athletes. If you are in need of assistance with the progress, IG Sports will offer you a quality service with a reasonable and affordable fee. Many times during our careers we heard stories about athletes wanting to study in the US but who did not have enough information about the process and never tried, or when they came to their school they realized that they made the wrong choice.

Our International Amateur Sports Consulting services include:

- Evaluation
- Package Development
- Placement

With over 40 decades of combined experience among our board members, IG Sports will not stop until we fulfill your dreams and aspirations. When you succeed, we succeed, and your overall success if our top priority. Our goal is to change that and to open doors for international student athletes like you.

Wallpaper

By request, here is a wallpaper I did using Adobe Photoshop, a new one featuring my new squad, the Bergamo Lions, will be coming shortly. Hope you enjoy.

Bergamo Lions

My new squad (http://www.lionsfootball.it/).

Adios Espana...

... okay I know that I have not provide an update in some weeks but here we go. This past week I was forced to make a critical decision that would change my immediate surroundings. What happened? Well, this past week I made the move from the Badalona Dracs to the Bergamo Lions, a team based out of Milan, Italy. I know to many this may come as a surprise; however, after countless hours of weighing out the scenarios. I felt that it was in my best interest to make the late season transfer to Bergamo.

To many this may seem simple, but to me leaving behind in Badalona many great guys was difficult. I have often expressed how much I loved the city, but more importantly the incredible men that I met along the way while playing for Dracs. My former teammates in Badalona were amazing, and provided me with an experience that I will never forget. From the moment I stepped foot in Spain, these guys looked after me as if I was one of them from birth. I felt a deep connection to each of my teammates and members of the organization in Badalona, which made this move a difficult one.

So now, the move to Bergamo has been made complete and I will take the field next Sunday in gold and black for this first time vs Hogs in a game that will decide the playoff future of the Lions here in Bergamo. So stay tuned for another chapter of European Football and more importantly my life.

Gamma Alpha Lambda Chapter...

... of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, is now officially on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. Ya boi Esteban is a proud founder and charter member of the first ever Royal Blue and Pure White establishment on the campus of UNR.

The Gamma Alpha Lambda Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, at the University of Nevada, Reno, was founded in the Spring of 2009. Three men, Anthony Dionisi, Sergio Villasenor, and Reginald Greer, took the first steps in bringing to the University its first chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. In the Fall of 2009, the next step towards chartering was taken with the crossing of Lee Massey and Lawrence James. In the Summer of 2010, at the Western Regional Conference, it was agreed that the University of Nevada, Reno, would become the Gamma Alpha Lambda Chapter, and newest chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. With the countless hours contributed from the orginal charter members, and current members, Bro. Mayo Thompson, Bro. Marcus White, and Bro. Jon Baur, the Royal Blue and Pure White will shine on the campus of UNR, bringing it a new, fresh, and commited to excellence fraternity this university is not yet accustomed to.

Vikings vs Dracs (2010 Euro Bowl)

Raiffeisen Vikings vs. Badalona Dracs - Game Video from Football-Austria on Vimeo.

Raiffeisen Vikings vs. Badalona Dracs 24:0

May 1st 2010, Hohe Warte, Vienna

A weekend in Vienna...

... well I was disappointed yes that I could not play against one of the biggest teams in all of the EU, the Vienna Vikings. To be honest, I think it was more a inner anger, I had come to Badalona Dracs to play in EFL Euro Bowl and show case my skills against some of the best Europe had to offer. However, that aspiration would have to come to a halt as I had not yet fully recovered. While my leg felt great, and I wanted to play, hence the half time change in clothes from street attire to pads. I really was going to go in if coach let me. But all in all, Coach Oscar and Presi has my best interests in mind and did not let, with play offs right around the corner, and my leg now 100%, why risk it. I do appreciate their judgement and the fact that they truly do have my best interests in mind. So to that, I am very grateful. But sadly, we lost, and now are out of Euro Bowl. While our attention now focuses on wining the LNFA 2010 Championship with playoffs just around the corner, my motivation is at an all time high. I can not wait to set foot on the field and just get back to ball'n.

But, while the Dracs may have lost, there is no doubt that the Vienna Vikings community did not appreciate our heart and our "after game activities", lol. I have only one thing to say, WOW. But all in all, the Vienna Vikings fans, team, and organization provided us with a first class experience both during the game and after. The team took us out to one of the local spots after the post game BBQ, and to say the least, we had a great time.

I would also like to thank the Marriot in Vienna for providing me with a months supply of 15g Nutella packs. I went down on Monday to get my feast on at the complementary breakfast in teh courtyard, and well my mouth dropped when I saw the travel size Nutella packs that the hotel had at breakfast. I think I took the entire jar, ha! So Marriot, GRACIAS! Me is gordo, ha!

Here are some photos from the weekend: