KAMLOOPS – Very few people get to experience a senior night at the U SPORTS level, celebrating graduating student-athletes for their years of hard work and dedication, even fewer get to do it alongside their brother. That will be the case inside Hillside Stadium when WolfPack fans get the chance to say goodbye to brothers Alesandro and
Domenico Comita who have each dedicated years to the 'Pack and brought this school some of its biggest moments.
DOMENICO COMITA
A leader in the truest sense of the word, Domenico joined the WolfPack in 2020 and has achieved the highest highs with his hometown program. Suiting up in 59 regular season games of the WolfPack, he scored the biggest goal in TRU history when he slotted home the penalty shot that gave TRU a national championship on home soil. A leader for the entire department Domenico will be greatly missed by the WolfPack. He is a six-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian.
Graduating with…
I've already graduated with a science degree, majoring in biology and in June and I will graduate with an education degree.
What's next for you?
I really want to become a teacher, I just love connecting with the students. I think I'm going to stick around Kamloops, I love this city. My family brought me up here and I've just done everything here.
What has it been like getting to represent your hometown team?
It's surreal. I think back to when I got to watch the WolfPack the first time we hosted nationals. I vividly remember there were two songs they would play before the games and going into that school year I just constantly repeated those songs before soccer games. I would picture Mitch Popadynetz and Jan Pirretas getting fired up before the game so to now get to step on the field and being that guy for younger players is super special and I couldn't be more grateful.
How do you think you have grown during your time at TRU?
I feel like I've grown a lot and it's thanks to my coach John and all the assistant coaches: Tim Hutton, Peter Soberlak, Hee Young Chung, Justin Donaldson and Josh Banton and Jackson Gardner as well as my old captains Jan Pirretas and Patrick Izett. I've learned to lead by example and to me that's one of the most important things. I always thought you had to be vocal, and I do try to be vocal on the pitch, but reflecting back to what these guys have shown me it's to just step onto the field or into the classroom and just show up and do the best you can. I've also learned to be grateful because not many people are given an opportunity like this to play in front of their hometown and make a positive impact. It's gratitude, it's leadership and I just couldn't be more thankful for all the role models I've had.
How do you think your teammates will describe you?
It's hard to talk about myself, I don't like doing it. One thing I've mentioned to the guys is family – that's what I want our team to remember when I'm gone. I want them to remember that this team and even the whole WolfPack community, we are just a family. When we step on the field together we are brothers out there. At the end of the day it's the relationships and the bonds we have created that are most important. Even though for me this seems like a long journey, it's been seven years, it's the relationships that are going to last. I want them to know that as soon as they join the WolfPack they are part of a family and that family is with them for life.
What has been like getting to do this alongside your brother?
I love him so much. He was away for a few years chasing his dream over in Europe but being able to step on the field with him has been amazing. We played a little bit together in high school and then when he first signed at TRU, I had no idea he was going to sign -so it was a surprise to me when he signed. When we stepped on the field together for the first time, I just remember looking over at him and him looking back at me and it was just surreal. He's been with me every step of the way, I've had some challenges along the way and he's been right by my side having my back, supporting me and I hope I can say I've done the same for him. He's such a leader, he leads by example. He shows up and I don't think I've seen anyone work as hard as my brother, he does so much extra off the field and on the field. I'm just so grateful to have had the opportunity to play with him. And also my other brother Luigi, he's always watching in the stands. This past season after every game we win, it's only when we win, he comes up to me and gives me the hardest bodycheck he can so I hope we can win these last couple games so I can get a few more bodychecks.
What was the experience like scoring the shootout goal that won TRU a national championship?
It took me three months to get over the fact that I actually did it. In 2016-17 I was a ballboy watching nationals and I had a dream to one day be an impact player and I didn't know what impact that would be. I didn't start any of the games that season so to get that opportunity and for it work out the way it did, I couldn't be more grateful.
Do you have anything else to add?
Firstly I want to thank John who has been with me since I was ten years old. He started coaching me with the Whitecaps Academy and has coached me all the way through. For him to sign and trust me when I was in grade 11 and then continue to trust me through my journey, I couldn't be more grateful. I've learned so much from him, he's such a strong person, a strong leader and he cares so much. The amount of work he does for me and this program is insurmountable and I'm just grateful for all that he's done for me. I'd also like to thank my teammates, all of them – current and past. It's been a fun ride with all these guys and I have so many memories that I can think of from when we started in COVID having to social distance during practice to this year, getting to play with my brother, I just couldn't be more grateful.
Alesandro Comita
Playing three seasons with the WolfPack, Alesandro has suited up in 35 regular season games and has four goals and four assists to his name. A leader for his team, Alesandro scored a goal in extra time in the 2022 U SPORTS National Championship game that sent the contest to a shootout where TRU captured the title at Hillside Stadium.
What's next for you?
Obviously I want to see if I can get another opportunity to back in Europe to continue my soccer journey, but if not I want to come back to Kamloops, finish my degree and work in finance.
What has your journey to this night been like?
It's been a crazy journey. I first remember John calling me in 2022 and telling me we were hosting nationals and what a great opportunity it would be and obviously the team was great. From there we won nationals, I played another year after that and then I felt like it was the right time to try something new so I went overseas and played a couple years in Slovenia. It's obviously awesome to be back in Kamloops with my family, all my friends and such a great group of guys.
How do you think you have grown during your time at TRU?
I've really grown as a person, I feel like I've really matured. Being surrounded by such amazing people and back with my family, they've really helped me mature and grow as a person. On the field having mentors like Josh Banton and Jackson Gardner and all those guys that have come before me as well it's really helped me excel and improve my game. Those people have been so inspirational to me and have been integral in my growth.
What is your favourite WolfPack memory?
The first one would be the national championship, that's a great memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life. There's been a couple good memories of the years of pokers games and the like just having fun with the guys. The biggest thing I'll miss is just training everyday. I love being around the guys competing and all the guys making fun of me because, apparently, I like to cheat. There's been so many great memories and I'm just so grateful for all of them and everyone that has been part of it.
What has been like getting to do this alongside your brother?
It's been amazing, it really has. I remember the first day being part of TRU and playing with him, it's just such a great feeling. It's something that not many people experience and I'm so grateful we got to do it together. Even my older brother Luigi has come out to support at the games even though sometimes he might not want to, he always makes it out and supports us. Having my brothers and playing alongside Domenico is such a great thing.
Anything else to add?
Thank you to my family, they've been so helpful and influential in my life. Thank you to all the staff, John for believing in me and all my teammates who have helped me grow as a person. It's been a really great time here and I'm grateful to all the staff and everyone that has helped us along the way.
