DiGati's journey now a big part of Del Val's success

Division III athletic programs are full of good stories of kids who for whatever reasons took unconventional routes to get to where they are and made it work for them. Delaware Valley's Nicholas DiGati, a fifth-year linebacker, has one of those stories.

He was a decent enough player at Middletown (Del.) High, where he was part of two state championship teams. Yet he didn't draw very much recruiting interest. And his family's financial situation at the time wasn't the best because his father was transitioning between jobs. And …

"I've grown since then," DiGati said. "I think I was like 5-9 or 10 and maybe 220 [pounds]. And I was from a small state. I played with some great players: [wide receiver] Chris Godwin, the Penn State guy [now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers]. [Running back] Jamar Baynard, who was with the Redskins. Darius Wade, a quarterback at Boston College. So we had talent."

Right after he graduated, he played in the DFRC Blue-Gold all-star game at Delaware Stadium in Newark. He was just looking to catch some program's attention. Instead, he tore up a knee. So he turned his attention to finding a place where he could at least continue his education. And he ended up at Williamson College of the Trades in Media, while he went through 18 months of rehabilitation for his injury.

"I couldn't do anything," said DiGati, the third-oldest of four children, and the youngest of three boys. "I sat out my first year. But it was awesome with insurance and everything. For the less fortunate guys, based on how much your family is making at the time, it was the best option. I thought long and hard about it. But with my knee all banged up, it wasn't like I could go to work or anything. I liked their core values of faith and integrity. The whole plan is to take guys like me and turn them into somebody."

He learned how to be a machinist, something he would eventually like to get back to. But first, he's trying to help the Aggies (7-0, 6-0 Middle Atlantic Conference), who are ranked fifth in D-III, turn this season into something really memorable. After transferring, he had two years of eligibility remaining. As it turns out, several members of the Williamson staff have ties with Del Val, which is located in Doylestown.

Last year, DiGati led a 9-2 team in tackles. He's doing the same this season. He even had 21 in one game, one shy of the school record. The defense is ranked 10th in the nation.

Did we mention that the business major also made the MAC all-academic team?

"We were excited when we got him," said coach Duke Greco, a former Aggies quarterback. "But I think he's exceeded our expectations. Maybe not as much on the field, but 100 percent in terms of what he's meant in the locker room as a leader. You don't get a lot of guys who can do that in two years. He got voted captain. For a transfer, that's unusual.

"As a kid, he's just different. He's a throwback. He should have played in the '80s. That's just who he is. He's Chris Spielman. That's his style. He's yes sir, no sir. And we don't ask that of our guys. That's just his mentality, how he was raised. We got lucky. We don't take one-year transfers. But because he got hurt he had two years left. It's been kind of a blessing for us. And he's made the most of it."

Sometimes you never can tell when it's going to turn into one of those win-wins.

Del Val hasn't won the MAC title since 2011. And it hasn't been to the playoffs since 2014. But the Aggies are averaging more than 38 points a game and giving up 10. Widener is one game behind them in the standings. They will meet in the traditional finale on Nov. 11 at Del Val.

"Williamson helped me grow up," said DiGati, who now goes 6-1, 260. "It helped me stay organized and disciplined. It's the military. You wear a suit and tie, you're clean-shaven. There's chapel in the morning. You practice at night. After that, you study and do chores for half an hour before going to bed. That's Monday through Friday. As long as you don't get into trouble. … I only had to stay around for one weekend in three years.

"It's a small world. If I didn't have some coaches telling me they loved their experience at Del Val, who knows? I was about to transfer my associate [degree] over. The football's been awesome. But I had to come in and learn the ropes. It feels great to be part of something like this.

At this level, it can't be just about the football. Of course, that's still important. Especially now.

"You just have to keep moving forward, in everything you do. It just feels like I have more to do. You have to stay motivated. Sometimes I do think about the past, and how it got me here. Right now it just feels good to be an Aggie."