When Chaminade punter Alessandro Garrett went on his official visit to the College of Holy Cross, he felt like he was home.
So much so that when his family lost its home in the Palisades fire in January, he still had feelings of comfort to hold on to.
“They treat me like family,” Garrett said. “I know college football is a business, but they were there for me. That’s something that you can’t replace or find at any other high Division I-level football program — the unity.”
Garrett made his college choice official at Chaminade’s signing day ceremony Tuesday, reaffirming his decision to go across the country to Holy Cross, a FCS Division I program located roughly 45 minutes outside of Boston.
Chaminade receiver Logan Carpenter signed his financial aid agreement with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at the ceremony alongside Garrett.
Holy Cross offered a mix of athletics, academics and location that Garrett, who averaged 42.8 yards per punt this season, was drawn to. He plans to major in economics — a decision that was inspired by watching family members work in finance and business.
“I’ve lived in Los Angeles my whole life and I wanted a change,” he said. “I went out to Boston for the first time three, four years ago in the spring and ever since then, I was like, I want to live in Boston, I want to work there. And it kind of just lined up with Holy Cross.”
Even when the Palisades fire claimed Garrett’s home and forced his family to move in with a relative, football and Holy Cross were ever-present.
The coaching staff called and sent text messages, offering support and asking how they could help the family during the difficult time. Garrett even took his official visit in late January, which gave him something to look forward to.
“There’s definitely worse scenarios that could happen,” Garrett said. “That’s what I try to go back to every once in a while if I’m feeling down. There’s people that have it way worse than us and you’ve got to realize that and realize that its all going to be OK. You’ve just got to keep pushing and keep doing your thing.”