Jeremy Whalen (Ravens Sports Info) / Photo: Michael P. Hall (OUA)
No one would blame Luigi Zagaria if he had a part-time job, focused on his studies and football and went about his business. Over the last two years, the Ravens' safety has overcome injury and loss, but, through it all, he has never wavered in his commitment to others.
The first time you meet Luigi, you are quickly welcomed with a warm smile, a firm handshake, and a solid conversation. Without spending much time with him, you quickly realize there's more than meets the eye: a well-rounded student, a committed member of the Ravens' secondary, and a young man with strong ties to his community.
Always modest, Zagaria downplays his community involvement. When asked to complete his annual varsity student-athlete survey, he typically hints at his love for Lego while glossing over all that he does. Although his collection is impressive, it pales in comparison to his volunteer resume. A member of the Sons of Pericles, Zagaria is heavily involved in event planning and fundraising initiatives within the Ottawa Greek and Hellenic communities. Luigi helps to organize Ottawa Greek Night, Hellenic Career Fairs, comedy nights and other charity events.
His commitment to the group's philanthropic efforts, academics and athletics has earned him the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Ottawa AHPEA & Daughters of Penelope Scholarship Award, along with the 2024-25 Canadian Order of AHEPA & Daughters of Penelope District No. 23 Scholarship Award. A volunteer with the Ottawa Greek Festival for over a decade, Zagaria says he was raised to volunteer.
"I was born into it," Zagaria explained. "When my grandparents came from Greece in the 1960s, there was a large Greek community here, all that first generation that really came, they started it within the community of the church."
The tradition of involvement only grew from there with Luigi's mother, before quickly becoming a family affair. After beginning his volunteer days dancing with other kids at community festivals, Luigi grew up to join his family in the Greek Fest tents, helping with desserts and food tents before joining his dad to help cut meat.
"My dad, he's Italian, but he was a butcher, and funny enough, there were no butchers in the Greek community, so he was really the only person who knew how to cut meat. So for the longest time, he was cutting lambs and all that, and that was like the biggest thing in Greek Fest."
Since arriving at Carleton, his community involvement has only ramped up. After a shoulder injury sidelined him in his first year, he quickly turned to the coaching staff, looking for ways to help the team. As an administrative assistant, he filmed practice, helped set up benches and did anything he could to support the team, all while recovering from surgery and beginning his university career.
Luigi has become a face at Move-In, leading a group of Ravens who volunteer each year to welcome new students and provide a bit of muscle, unloading cars and carrying mini-fridges to dorm rooms.
"It was just about being involved with the community," Luigi shared. "I'm a social person, so any opportunity I have to go out, connect with people, and meet different types of people, I always love to take it. It's a bonus to represent the school and share that pride of being a Raven."
In 2025, Luigi would turn loss into motivation. After his father passed to cancer, Zagaria rallied a group of teammates to participate in Carleton's Relay For Life. Taking to social media to raise funds, the team came together for the annual event in the Field House and raised almost $10,000 for cancer research.
"I had experienced Relay before in high school and I loved it," said Luigi of his motivation to organize the team. "It was a fun event. After my dad passed away, I felt it was important for me to do. When I saw the event at Carleton, I knew this was the time for us to get involved as a team. It's a great thing to do together and give back to the community as a team. There's no downside to it, anyway you look at it, there's a positive aspect to it."
Plans are already in place for the Ravens to return to Relay For Life in 2026, with Luigi now spearheading an initiative to have as many varsity teams as possible represented through a collaboration with Carleton's Varsity Council.
Along the way, he also finds time to volunteer at charity BBQs for the Boys and Girls Club, with teammates from the Ravens football programs and with the Girls' Touch Football team at his alma mater, Sir Robert Borden High School in Nepean.
Finding a way to balance all his commitments takes talent, a skill Luigi admits he learned from his older sister. "It all stems from her; she’s 5 years older than me and has always been a big role model of how to get things done and get things done right." Adding, "she’s always there to help me and keeps me in line."
Not only is Luigi in line, but he's at the head of the pack. From game-saving pass breakups at the 56th Panda Game to leading community initiatives, Luigi is revered inside the Carleton locker room.
"Luigi is a great football player but an even better young man," expressed defensive coordinator Ronald Hilaire. "He comes to work every day with the most positive attitude and makes everyone around him better because of it."
While it's easy for a coach to notice everything Luigi brings to the locker room, perhaps the best testament to his efforts is the recognition he receives from more veteran players on the team, with senior players all singing his praises for his dedication and perseverance.
"Luigi is a great leader in the locker room," shared veteran running back Ethan Rocha. "He’s that reliable, gritty guy who always shows up when you need him and pushes teammates to do better on and off the field."
While many of the fans at this October's Panda Game might not remember who broke up Ottawa's Hail Mary attempt, as the OUA's 2025 Russ Jackson Award winner, Zagaria joins a small class of Ravens who will forever be remembered for their service.
His dedication to Carleton Ravens football and his embodiment of the team ethos to be great at everything you do have helped establish a culture within the Ravens locker room that keeps teammates accountable for the people they are on and off the field.
