Gelsomino has Bears’ respect Switch from tight end to fullback works out fine for UMaine

ORONO – John Gelsomino doesn’t get a lot of glory in his role as the fullback for the University of Maine football team.

Even though he carries the ball only two or three times a game and might have one pass thrown his way, the senior has been a key cog in the Black Bears’ potent offense.

Gelsomino, an impressive specimen at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, is a powerful force as a lead blocker and pass protector for second-ranked UMaine.

“Anybody who knows what we do knows that those are his two primary roles,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “We always recognized his talent, his ability, and the No. 1 goal of our offense is to get our best 11 players on the field.”

Gelsomino grew up on Long Island and played at Sayville High School, the alma mater of UMaine passing great Mike Buck. Gelsomino played tight end, but at UMaine wound up competing for time with future NFL signee Chad Hayes.

The UMaine staff converted Gelsomino into a fullback, where he could get on the field and utilize his size and power.

“I would love to be the guy that’s scoring all the touchdowns and rushing for 150 yards a game, but I love my position,” Gelsomino said. “I’m basically a glorified lineman they let carry the ball a few times a game. When they give me the ball, that’s icing on the cake.”

While there aren’t a lot of impressive statistics attached to Gelsomino’s name (15 carries, 58 yards, 2 TDs; 3 receptions, 7 yards), he knows his efforts are appreciated.

Bears tailback Marcus Williams rushed for 198 yards against Rhode Island Sept. 28 and was chosen the offensive player of the game by his teammates.

“With offensive player of the game, you get a T-shirt,” Gelsomino explained. “[Williams] handed me the T-shirt and tells me I deserve it as much as he does, because without me he wouldn’t have rushed for 198 yards.”

It is that kind of unselfishness that has helped UMaine become a nationally-ranked program in the last two seasons. Gelsomino, who arrived in Orono in 1998, has been part of the transformation.

“That’s what makes it so fun and that’s what makes us so successful,” Gelsomino said of the team camaraderie. “I feel closer to this team than any other team I’ve played on and I’m very proud of that.”

Gelsomino has developed a special perspective on things.

“Gels considers himself a leader on this team,” Cosgrove said. “He’s been through a lot here and I think that gives him an understanding of some of those intangibles that are important to the success of a football team.”

Gelsomino, a self-described late bloomer, began attracting the attention of college recruiters as a senior in high school. He was impressed by the Bears’ staff and players and decided to attend UMaine.

It’s a decision he is happy to have made.

“It was one of my goals to get a scholarship, play football in school and graduate with a degree and in a few months I’m going to do both,” he said.

This fall has been challenging for Gelsomino, an education major who is doing his student teaching in physical education. That means being up at 6:30 a.m., to school at 8, then back to Orono for 2:30 p.m. meetings, followed by practice.

He is working under Randy Hutchins at Brewer Middle School, but soon will move to Bangor High for a stint with former UMaine football standout John Tennett.

“I have very long days,” Gelsomino said, “but I enjoy the kids. We talk football or life or whatever. I think they feel like they can connect with me.”

Gelsomino plans to connect with would-be tacklers Saturday when the Bears play at Atlantic 10 rival Massachusetts.