Football | 10/29/2025 2:24:00 PM
LORETTO, Pa.- Saint Francis sophomore inside linebacker Geno Calgaro has been on an impressive streak, becoming the keystone of the Red Flash defense, leading the team in solo (35), assists (38), and total tackles (73). In terms of national rankings, Calgaro is 21st in solo tackles and tenth in total tackles.
Just this week, the young linebacker was once again recognized by the NEC, earning NEC Prime performer honors for the fourth time this season. This came after another stellar performance last Saturday against the Colonials of Robert Morris, where Calgaro led the Red Flash with 13 tackles, reaching double figures for the fourth time this season.
Earlier this week, Calgaro sat down for an interview to take part in the newest addition of the Red Flash 10
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Who had the most significant impact on your life, and in what ways has the influence shaped who you are today?
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I would say my mom. She was my personal trainer growing up. She coached at Georgia Tech, was a strength coach, and taught me nutrition—everything about athletics and just being an athlete. She taught me everything I know about being the best I can be.
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If you had the sum of your playing style in three words, what would you choose and why?
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Disciplined, aggressive, and hard-nosed because I have to bring it every play. Otherwise, it won't be the best day for me or my team.
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What's a life lesson football has taught you and carried you beyond the field?
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Hard work, because hard work will get you anything in life. You know, whether it's in the weight room or studying, it's gonna get you where you want to be.
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What do you miss most about home whenever you're at St Francis?
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I grew up just south of Pittsburgh in Canonsburg, so I'm not awfully far, but I'd say my friends —my high school buddies, especially — and then my family, obviously, and my two dogs.
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What's a bucket list item you hope to cross off in the next few years?
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Saint Francis traveled over 3,000 miles for their five away games this year. What's your favorite memory from all of those road trips this year?
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I'd say, pulling up to the Johnstown airport with the whole team, and that's when it really hit me: "Wow, we're about to go down and play a big team." But yeah, both plane rides hit different since that was my second time flying ever, and we didn't get home till 3:30 in the morning, so the whole thing was just something genuinely different.
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Is there a song on your game day playlist that's your go-to?
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Oh yeah, it would definitely be "Creeping Death" by Metallica. Yeah, it's pretty cool. Big Metallica guy —doesn't matter if it's pregame, postgame, or halftime, it's always cued up when I need to lock in.
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Geno, you are currently the cornerstone of the Red Flash defense. What makes you so effective? What's your driving force to be the best every single game?
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Being coachable and doing your job, you know, you've got to watch film each week, and study not only the opponent, but what you do during practice. That's a significant indicator and helps you prepare for upcoming teams. But overall, I think it's just about staying around your coaches, which enables you to make plays.
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When you're not doing football, what are you doing?
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I recently picked up golf and hunting. I really enjoy both, but you can't beat golf sometimes, man, it's really fun to go out there and swing a club with your buddies. I even play with guys on the team; we just love it when we have some free time.
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So, you told me Saint Francis was the only D1 school to offer you a football scholarship. How have you used that in your day-to-day life since joining the team last year?
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Yeah, Saint Francis was really my own D1 offer for football, and safe to say that I've really used that as fuel over the past two seasons. I just go out there with the mentality of proving them all wrong.
