Often in life we are forced to face a series of challenges that test our ability to grow and succeed. Since his arrival at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2004, junior defensive back John Tesiero has overcome an important one. In doing so, he has exemplified the definitions of hard work and dedication as a leader and a student-athlete.
Recruited out of Amsterdam, N.Y., Tesiero was a four-year standout and three-year starter on the football team at Amsterdam High School, one of the dominant high school football programs in New York State over the last decade. A quarterback and defensive back, he was a two-time captain and helped the Rugged Rams to three Section 2 championships. Individually, he was named All-Section 2 First Team as a defensive back and was selected All-State as a junior and senior.
“I think that football at Amsterdam is one of the best experiences you can have at the high school level,” Tesiero explains. “When you go to a game, the band is big and the fans are so involved. Football is really important to them and the community, much like it is at RPI. It’s actually one of the reasons why I chose to come to Rensselaer, because football had such a storied tradition and the academics are phenomenal.”
It was the atmosphere at Amsterdam that led him to continue his education at Rensselaer.
“It was important to me that I would be able to get a solid education and at the same time be able to play football with guys who are tough, dedicated, and determined to have success. It reminded me a lot of high school.”
While he came to Troy with the ability to play on both sides of the ball, Tesiero was forced to face a difficult challenge in the fall of his freshman year at Rensselaer. Recruited as a quarterback, he didn’t quite fit into the offensive structure and was asked to concentrate full-time on the defensive side of the game. Putting his energy into improving those skills, he spent the majority of his first season on the junior varsity before making an impact on the varsity last year as a sophomore.
“We recruited John as a quarterback and that’s what he trained for,” admits Rensselaer’s 18th-year head coach Joe King. “That was his mindset coming in as a freshman, but when it came down to it we needed help at defensive back. It didn’t look like he was going to fit into our plan at quarterback, so we asked him to transition to the defense. He threw himself into it and has continued to improve.”
“It was definitely a big change, bigger than what I thought it was going to be,” said Tesiero. “In high school as a defensive back, you’re not always fundamentally sound. There’s no studying receivers, you just went out there and covered who they needed you to cover. At this level if you don’t study your opponent, study film and understand what routes they’re running, you’ll get beat on every play. There’s a lot more time mentally and physically that goes into that change.”
His sophomore season solidified Tesiero’s role in the program. Starting on the varsity, he recorded 42 total tackles, including 28 unassisted and one for lost yards (1). He also broke up five passes and recorded an interception. He made at least three tackles in eight games, including two with eight stops.
He also played a key role in special teams, including as a return man. He brought back two kickoffs for 33 yards and a punt return for nine yards. His efforts throughout the season helped the Engineers to an 8-2 record, capped off by a 26-22 victory at St. John Fisher in the ECAC Northwest Bowl.
His sophomore season also established him as a leader on the team.
“He’s what any coach or team could ask for in a player and specifically a captain,” King said of Tesiero, one of five captains this season – and the only junior of the group. “He leads by example and, while he’s not the most vocal person, he’s not afraid to speak up either.
‘The kids on this team obviously have a great deal of respect for him to elect him as a junior captain. I can only think of a handful of guys who have been captains in their third year, so that really says something about the type of person and player he is.”
“It’s truly an honor for me to be mentioned amongst some of the greatest players in Rensselaer football history,” Tesiero admits. “From Matt Vittengl to Dan Cole, they’re the guys who have experienced and won the big games and achieved so many great feats. To be listed among them is a great honor.”
His Rensselaer experience thus far has taught him that no matter what the obstacle, the willingness to change for the betterment of the team is an important part of the process toward success.
“My goal has been to do whatever I can to help the team succeed,” explains Tesiero. “It’s always the team before the person – team goals and winning. If somebody comes in with individual goals, it’s not going to work within our structure. We have to be a team to win like one.”
Through the first three games, the Engineers are 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the Liberty League. Despite the loss, Tesiero believes that with hard work by every member of the team every single day, the Engineers can play deep into November.
“I think the biggest thing is that our team has to get better every week,” he admits. “If this team can get better everyday, every week, and every game, I think we have an opportunity to go far. But it all depends on getting better.
“We can’t hang our hat on potential, nobody can. So if we go out there and make the right plays and work hard, I think we’re going to have success.”
Through his transition from offense to defense, to becoming a captain, he has embraced his role as a leader and team player. He expects to carry that attitude into the ‘real world’ upon graduating in 2008.
“There are lots of options out there for management majors. But I’d like to work for my father for a little bit to start out. He owns a concrete company in Amsterdam. It’s important to me to try and get as broad a range of the business world as I can and get as much experience as possible.”
No matter where the future takes him, he will always cherish his time at Rensselaer.
“I just want to take advantage of the friends I’ve made, the people I get to interact with and make the most of it all while I’m here.”
