(Michael Chiarovano '16 going for the score against Fordham Prep/Photo by Rob Cole)

Faces of Xavier: Michael Chiarovano '16

At this year's Turkey Bowl, the Xavier Knights captured their third straight victory over Fordham Prep 35-34 in overtime. This victory was the capstone for a successful season for the varsity football team, where they advanced to the semifinals of the CHSFL-AA playoffs. One of the driving forces behind this year's Thanksgiving Day victory was junior fullback Michael Chiarovano '16, who rushed for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns. Furthermore, Michael's spirited offensive charges were pivotal for the Knights' successes during the regular season. When he is not on the gridiron, Michael commutes daily from Queens and is an honors student and a two-sport athlete, devoting his talents to the rugby pitch in the spring. We had the opportunity to sit down with Michael recently to discuss the football season, the Turkey Bowl, and the Xavier tradition.

Why did you initially decide to play football at Xavier?

I started playing football when I was six years old. I wanted to continue to play in high school. Football is a great sport, partly because of the game itself, though one of the main reasons I continue to play is because of the great people and coaches I've met.

As a fullback, you were one of the catalysts for this year’s offense. You were also named a CHSFL Player of the Week and featured in the Queens Times Ledger for your performance during the Turkey Bowl. Did you expect to see such success coming into the season?

Going into the season, I didn’t expect to get the ball as much as I did. I’m a fullback, so I expected to block more than rush and go for yardage. What actually happened was different than what I expected. I guess I was playing well, but I'm glad to have been able to help the team succeed.

Varsity football improved quite a bit from the beginning of the season. The team lost its first three games, though you finished the season with four wins over the last five games, including a Turkey Bowl victory. How would you describe your season and how the team evolved?

We always knew we were a talented team in a tough division. It just took us some time to get everything working at the same time. After a few tough losses at first, our morale was low, but we kept on trying and eventually broke through. By the end of the season, we saw each game as an opportunity to right the wrongs we made earlier. The Turkey Bowl was our last chance to show what a great team we were, and we were able to do so.

This was also your first year playing in the Turkey Bowl. Could you describe the experience, how the game went and what the tradition means to you?

The game was so crazy. We traded scores from the start. Winning was an unbelievable feeling. In the last play of the game, when Fordham was stopped at the end of overtime, I was jumping with excitement! The Turkey Bowl was a great way to see the senior class leave on a high note. By itself, the Turkey Bowl is amazing because of its tradition. It’s been going on for so many years, and it will continue for the rest of our lives. To come back in forty years to see our team name on the trophy will be a great feeling.

You are a junior and many of your fellow teammates are juniors. What are you most excited for next year?

Obviously we want to win a championship, which we came close to this year. I’m also really excited to play one more year of Xavier football with a close group of my friends. The J.V. and freshmen teams below us are also very talented, so I look forward to introducing them to our ranks. Each player offers something new and each grade level has a different dynamic. I’m excited to see how we’ll work together.

As a two-sport athlete, playing football in the fall and rugby in the spring, how do you balance your time with your schoolwork, especially considering that you are an honors student in challenging classes?

You go home and you do what you have to do, whenever you can. Whether that means studying at lunch or staying up late to finish a project, you do what you have to do to succeed. Our coaches always tell us that schoolwork comes before sports. I don't really see the stress, though. I have so much fun playing football and rugby that coming home late isn't a chore.

As another team in the long line of Xavier football, one steeped in history and tradition, how does football fit into your time here and how have you been affected by the Xavier tradition?

Going to Xavier is much more than going to school and getting ready for college. Everything we do goes back to the tradition of excellence that others set more than a century ago and that we continue to work to achieve. I’ve changed so much from when I first got here. After initially struggling academically, I picked up the pace. It’s been great playing football and rugby with guys who want to win and coaches who have all experienced success and who have done so much to help us become the best we can. On the whole, the Xavier tradition changes you. Even without you realizing it, it requires you to be a “man for others” and asks you to better every part of your life to reach your full potential.