A Laval native in the big league

It's a big deal when a Canadian gets a chance to start in NCAA football; it's even more impressive when he is an undersized receiver, standing at a mere 5'9", 185 lbs. Yet Danny Desriveaux, now a receiver with the Montreal Alouettes, has become an example of hard work and dedication to amateur football players in Quebec.

A native of Laval, Desriveaux was never the fasest or the strongest receiver before entering the Vanier College Cheetahs' ranks. What he lacked in size, had to be made up with intelligence. A trait he developed when the current head coach Peter Chryssomalis, the defensive coordinator, asked Desriveaux a particular request. "I asked him if he wanted to fill in at safety for a few game while a few injured starters recuperated," said chryssomalis. "He picked up the system really fast without making any mental mistakes."

For Desriveaux to have learned the safety position while playing receiver gave him a fresh perspective on the game. "Once you played that position you know what they look for, I'm not saying I know everything there is to know about being a safety, but I learned how to camouflage," said Desriveaux. "(Safeties) look for key signals (to stop the receiver), like hip movement, hands and shoulders. A good safety knows how to pick up those indicators."

With the experience he gained from playing offence and defence, Desriveaux managed to make it in the NCAA. In the four years he took to complete an MBA in finance, he dressed for the University of Conneticut Huskies and University of Richmond Spiders. "Coming to Vanier was the best decision of my life," said Desriveaux. "It was a turning point, the coaches were the hardest I've ever had, they thought me to be hard headed and have the will to win."

Today Chryssomalis, invites Desriveaux to Vanier training camps every year as a motivational guest for the new payers. "I have tremendous respect for the new guys," said Desriveaux. "I'm proof for them that one of their own made it. Making it to the pros does happen."

Vanier College boasts 45 alumni in the CFL including Patrick Kabongo of the Edmonton Eskimos, rookie Jabari Arthur of the Calgary Stampeders, and Sammy Okpro, drafted this year by Edmonton.

Desriveaux, in his second season with the Alouettes, is re-learning his position in three down football under the likes of Ben Cahoon. 2008 was a breakout year for the Laval native as he started early in the season to replace injured receivers; last July Desriveaux earned his first 100 yard game in a 38-24 victory against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Despite his status as a professional athlete, Desriveaux remembers when it all started for him, "The Vanier coaches took 15 players to a Boston College training camp. I remember feeling comfortable in a competitive environment," said Desriveaux. "I also remember doing well."