PALM BEACH GARDENS – Daymon Cantave thought he was set to play college football for Florida Tech.
But in a shocking announcement that came out today (May 11), the Benjamin senior linebacker will have to look for a new opportunity, as Florida Tech has shut down its football program due primarily to the current coronavirus pandemic.
According to a USA Today report, Florida Tech, a Division II program founded in 2011, competed in the Gulf South Conference. This decision will affect about 120 student-athletes and eight coaches.
The student-athletes’ scholarships will be honored for up to four years, the school said. They can transfer to be immediately eligible at another program, per NCAA rules.
“The unprecedented uncertainty created by COVID-19 makes these moves prudent, but no less painful,” Florida Tech president Dwayne McCay said in a public letter to the campus community.
“We must do what is necessary to preserve resources critical to our educational mission and ensure our ability to successfully serve students when face-to-face instruction resumes this fall,” McCay continued. “I appreciate each of you, and I am humbled by your hard work and sacrifice.”
With that said and done, Cantave (No. 52 overall player; 2020 class) must move on to look for another college.
“It’s the second time it’s happened to me, but I’ll bounce back,” the 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker said. “When Oxbridge shut down their program, I was there too. That’s why I moved on to Benjamin.”
Cantave had more to say about this situation.
“I’m just disappointed because I was really looking forward to going there,” Cantave said of Florida Tech. “They are one of the few schools that offer aviation, so it’ll be hard for me to find a good fit.”
Since he wants to be a pilot one day, Cantave is considering options such as a possible preferred walk-on spot from either Auburn or Western Michigan, two schools that have aviation as a major. He’s also looking into Colby College and Colorado School of Mines.
“I’m just open to any opportunities,” said Cantave, who hopes his new recruiting process will last for no more than two weeks. “But I’ll be looking for a good academic school that offers aviation or is near a flight school. I just want to make it to a fall camp somewhere and start on time with a team.”
Roshaune Downie (Denison signee) is concerned for Cantave, who was his teammate at Benjamin for the past two seasons.
“I feel bad,” Downie said. “It sucks for everything to really go downhill with this coronavirus. Everything was good and complete football wise, and now he has to start over. It’s going to be weird with corona, but at the same time, I’m not too worried because I talked to him. He’s at peace because he knows that God has his back, so I’m just praying for him. I’m going to try to do my part to help him.”
Cantave (40 tackles, 5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries as a senior) will end his high school experience with a virtual graduation ceremony sometime later this month. He reflected on the past four years of his life.
“Benjamin and Oxbridge were both great schools that prepared me well for college academically and athletically,” said Cantave, who will graduate with honors by having at least a 3.8 grade point average. “I’ll miss my friends, teammates, coaches, and teachers the most from high school.”
