SHRUB OAK, N.Y. – Senior quarterback Tyler Santucci is in his third season playing varsity football for Lakeland. Santucci also plays defense in lacrosse for the Lakeland/Panas Rebels. He will be playing football next fall at Sacred Heart University.
How old were you when you started playing football and what got you started?
I started playing football when I was 7 years old. My dad and I watched all of the NFL games on TV when I was young. I fell in love with the sport and that made me want to play it.
What is your favorite thing about being on the football team at Lakeland?
Everyone is your family and we all share the same common goal.
What is your favorite team activity or pregame or postgame ritual that you share with your teammates? What about a personal pregame or postgame ritual?
My favorite team activities were the team dinners that took place before COVID. We would all have a blast as a team. My pre-game ritual consists of practicing my footwork and going over my plays before every game.
Who has been your biggest role model over the years and what have you learned from them?
My father. He taught me how to play football, especially the quarterback position. He has also taught me so many other things in life that I wouldn’t know how to do without him.
Tell us one thing about yourself that not a lot of people know.
I really like dogs and have one of my own.
You decided that you are going to play football at Sacred Heart University. Why did you choose Sacred Heart?
I really liked the coaches there, and I really like the opportunities it presents for my future.
Do you know what you want to study in college? If yes, what are you planning on studying and why?
I want to study business finance at Sacred Heart University. I am studying finance because when the pandemic first hit my father started to work at home and he is a financial advisor. I was able to learn a lot from him and I really liked what he did.
Who is your favorite professional athlete and pro (or college) sports team?
My favorite professional athlete is Dak Prescott and my favorite pro football team is the Dallas Cowboys.
What is your favorite music to listen to warming up for a game?
I like listening to Drake when warming up for a game.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Time travel, so that way I could go into the future or back into the past.
If you could pick one place to visit on vacation that you’ve never been to, where would you go and why?
Texas, so I can go watch a Dallas Cowboys game in person.
What is your favorite food to eat before or after a game?
My favorite food to eat after a game is pizza.
Best place to eat in Yorktown and why?
Maria’s Pizza, because I think they have the best pizza in Yorktown.
What’s the go-to app on your phone and why?
Instagram, because I can find out the news, see different posts from my friends and basically anything I want to find out.
For a young athlete growing up in the Lakeland district, what would you tell them about the experience of being part of the football team and why should they go out for the team?
Something I would tell young athletes is that Lakeland football is a great program and one of the best experiences I have ever had as an athlete.
