Dreams come true for footballer Jacek Marmulak

Dreams come true for footballer Jacek Marmulak

Former CBU ball boy to take pitch with Capers this season

By Corey LeBlanc

A long-time Caper ball boy will fulfill his long-time dream later this year.

Jacek Marmulak recently committed to the Cape Breton University (CBU) men's soccer program for the 2023 varsity season.

"It is still hard to believe. It is so difficult to put into words," Marmulak says of achieving his goal of becoming a Caper.

The 17-year-old adds, "It is pretty special."

The Sydney native notes that he has been a "huge fan" of the highly-decorated program for "as long as I can remember."

Like countless Canadian youngsters, including hundreds each year in Cape Breton, his soccer journey began with the Timbits program.

"I was pretty young – four years old," Marmulak recalls with a laugh.

From his first moments on the pitch, he says, "I fell in love – it just felt right."

Although he played other sports growing up, Marmulak notes that – because of that early and ever-growing passion for the game – soccer became his primary focus sooner rather than later.

"I am not sure," he says when asked what attracted him.

Marmulak does point to the atmosphere he became a part of, one that included great teammates and many friendships made.

"It made playing a lot easier – and a lot more fun," he adds.

A turning point came when the then 11-year-old spotted a flyer on one of the bulletin boards at CBU; it put out a call from the Cape Breton Football Club (CBFC) Academy for athletes.

"I decided to go for it," Marmulak says.

He adds, "It has meant so much to me" of the CBFC Academy experience.

Marmulak notes that playing at a faster and higher level has been invaluable to his development, not to mention the "mentorship" he has received as a member of the local development program.

"I am a really hard worker," he says when asked about the strengths of his game.

Noting his versatility, the attacking center midfielder adds that he has also spent time "up top" and "on the wing."

No matter where he takes the pitch, Marmulak focuses on taking advantage of his quickness.

"I can make runs and get behind the defensive line."

He also notes his ability to get the ball up the field.

Veteran CBU head coach Deano Morley describes Marmulak's signing as "significant and important," noting that the soon-to-be freshman has been on his radar for almost a decade.

"Everyone with the Caper men's soccer program is incredibly proud to have one of Cape Breton's top talents earn his opportunity to play at the highest level," he says.

"His dedication, attitude, self-motivation, and focus despite many obstacles and challenges have led him to be recruited by one of the top programs in Canada."

Despite not having an indoor training facility the last few years, along with the lack of technical leadership and quality programs and coaching in Cape Breton for several years, combined with the lack of standards and competition in his local environment, Morley adds, "Jacek has pushed forward with an incredibly positive attitude; he has never wavered."

As for his skill set, the CBU mentor points to Marmulak's "great speed and ability to run with the ball."

"Jacek is an exciting goal scorer," he adds while noting his strength in "taking players on."

Describing joining CBU and playing at the university level as a "big leap for him," Morley notes that his student-athlete is "aware of that [challenge]."

When it comes to the expectations for his time with the Capers, Morley says that Marmulak and the national powerhouse program as "on the same page."

"Jacek knows the work that he has to do to succeed, and we are going to be there to do everything that we can to help him improve and develop," he adds.

When asked to comment about the milestone signing, Iain King, Soccer Cape Breton's Regional Director of Development and CBU Assistant Coach, says, "When it comes to role models, I always say: 'If you can't see it, you can't be it.' This signing to such a powerhouse program is a shining light for the players we are seeking to produce from the CBFC Academy."

King first worked with Marmulak as part of the Team Nova Scotia program, noting that he was "just edged out" for a spot on the most recent Canada Games' squad.

"Jacek listened carefully to every word of feedback I gave him, thanked me, and said he would go away and work harder to improve as a player," he says.

King remembers, on one of his first days in his new position with Soccer Cape Breton, seeing that "same gifted player ghosting away from challenges and impacting the game," showing more quickness and cleaner technique.

"Jacek was as good as his word to me that day when I had to deliver a disappointment to him in Halifax. He had improved so much," he adds.

Like Morley, he notes that improvement is even more impressive, considering the hurdles he has cleared, such as having no winter practice facility and lack of competition at the AAA level in Cape Breton.

"Jacek has overcome every obstacle thrown at him to become a CBU player," King adds.

He notes that Marmulak is now a colleague as part of the Future Coach Initiative. While practicing with his U18 AA teammates, he also mentors mini-players.

"Both endeavours get the same focus, and I love that," King offers.

He says everyone with Soccer Cape Breton and CBFC is "very proud" of Marmulak.

"Jacek is a terrific example to our younger players, both as a player and – more importantly – a person," he adds.

In the coming months – as he prepares for his first CBU training camp in late August – Marmulak says he will focus on improving his game, including "playing with more consistency."

"Everyone is much quicker, so I know I will have to continue to work on the speed of my game," he adds.

Marmulak notes how important it will be to adjust to the "pace" at the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) level.

When it comes to goals for his first conference campaign, he hopes to see a "big improvement" in his game while showing the ability to adjust to the level of play at the varsity level.

"Hopefully, I will be able to make an impact."

Marmulak will be adding his championship experience, having won three out of the last four Highland Region banners as a member of – and a key contributor to – the Riverview Rural High School Ravens in Coxheath, to the second-to-none winning tradition established by the CBU men's soccer program over the past decade or more.

As for how he dealt with the roller coaster ride of recent seasons, including dealing with challenges posed amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, he explains he continued to "work hard."

"I focussed on the little things," Marmulak says.

He adds, "I tried to stay positive and control what I could."

Along with his varsity athletic pursuits, Marmulak will be cracking the books in CBU's Bachelor of Science program.

"It is a really good way to stay part of a sports environment – having the chance to work with athletes," he offers of his career aspiration to become a physiotherapist.

Morley adds that – as his varsity career unfolds – everyone in the program expects that Marmulak is "going to do very well" – both athletically and academically.

He reiterates that Marmulak should serve as an "inspiration" for young players on the Island who want to take the pitch with the Capers; a prime example of the hard work and dedication required to fulfill that dream.

"Jacek is someone that young players in Cape Breton can learn from and look up to."

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