Former Episcopal Academy’ standout DT Moose Minicozzi starting as a true freshman at Dickinson. Photo by Bob Gamble

John Minicozzi had every reason to bag football at the college level. He got in at academically demanding Dickinson, majoring in environmental science, which is a curriculum that can twist anyone’s brain into knots. Then you add the stress and demands of football, whether it’s Division III, Dickinson’s level, or not.

Still, something kept dragging the 5-foot-10, 270-pound Minicozzi, or “Moose,” back to the football field. The kid who was undersized at Episcopal Academy found himself tiny again, even by D-III standards. It’s always been Minicozzi’s passion for the game that’s propelled him to overachieve and it’s led to Moose starting as a true freshman at Dickinson, at defensive tackle.

This comes as no surprise to anyone who knows Moose.

“To me, Moose starting doesn’t surprise me at all, not at all,” Episcopal Academy coach Todd Fairlie said. “I thought if he went to a Division III school that the school would be very lucky to have him and it wouldn’t be long before he was impacting the program. That’s the kind of kid Moose was here. It was expected, and it was also exciting to hear about his success. Moose has something that you can’t teach, and that’s his love for the game. He’s very bright, and he has a tremendous work ethic. What’s not to like about Moose? I’m happy that he’s very happy about where he is. Moose is the type of kid when you have him that you don’t have to worry about him making plays, because you know he will. Moose has the attitude that if you’re going to do something, you do it at 100-percent. You talk about football, his face lights up.”

Former Episcopal Academy’ standout DT Moose Minicozzi (54), starting as a true freshman at Dickinson, is already making an impact on the team. Photo by Bob Gamble

Minicozzi had his doubts whether he would start his freshman year. But some injuries have occurred and he was thrown right in, starting since the beginning of the season. He wants to apply his major, environmental science, to help impoverished countries devise smart crops. Add Dickinson practices from 4:30 to 6:30 every day, on top of Wednesday and Sunday morning lifting periods for two hours, followed by film makes for a regimented schedule. The Dickinson defensive front is composed of two juniors, a sophomore and Moose.

“I think the transition from the level of football has been the biggest challenge,” Moose said. “In the Inter-Ac, there were a lot of great athletes that could move, but they weren’t as big. Here, there are a lot of linemen who are big. I played a three-man front at Episcopal and we have a four-man front at Dickinson. I was a true nose tackle on every play in high school. Almost every play I’m in the A and B gaps. I’m sort of in the same role, filling holes and trying not to get moved. I knew coming in they struggled on the defensive side of the ball. This year, we have one of the better defenses in (the Centennial Conference).
“I’m dealing with a few bumps and bruises. There are no regrets. Episcopal really prepared me well for college. Playing college football gets tiring but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”