At the age of four, a young boy was watching his local football news, captivated by the sport and how the players moved and talked strategy. A touch of inspiration sparked in him, eager to explore this new interest.
He went to his mother and asked if he could enroll in football. His mother informed him that he must be the age of seven to participate and marked the date of his seventh birthday on the calendar. Thus, he waited three more years for his chance to play and join a team.
Once that date arrived, he continued to pursue football throughout his childhood, high school and college years. He mainly focused on football yet also engaged in other sports such as soccer, baseball, and basketball.
Marco Baldacchino was born and raised in Sacramento County and came from a family of five. He grew up with his parents and two older sisters.
Part of his athletic journey included studying and playing football at American River College. Now, he is returning as the college’s offensive assistant coach for quarterbacks this season.
Growing up, Baldacchino didn’t just watch football news. He was also interested in the TV show, ‘’Bob the Builder,’’ which highlighted his curiosity in assembling toys and hand tools.
Being the only and youngest boy in the family, he gravitated toward the adult male figures in his life such as his father, uncle, older cousins and coaches.
One of his influences and close peers is Jon Ostererhout, head coach of ARC’s football team, who met Baldacchino when he was a football player and currently works beside him as a co-worker.
The duo initially met during the recruitment process where Baldacchino showcased his athletic abilities and caught Ostererhout’s attention. Ostererhout pitched his proposal of how ARC would be a great fit for Baldacchino’s football career.
‘’He had a lot of attributes: independence, good understanding, leadership and is a phenomenal addition to ARC, he embodies everything we are about football,’’ Ostererhout said.
After graduating from high school and having to decide where to study and play, ARC wasn’t Baldacchino’s first choice and entered the football season after the primary game had begun.
Originally, he was attending Northern Arizona University but left due to being homesick before switching over to ARC.
During his last game on ARC grounds, he scored eight touchdowns against the Golden Eagles from Feather River College, leaving that experience as his final statement before leaving and transferring to a university.
Baldacchino described his student experiences with sympathetic and caring professors who acknowledged the time and effort athletics dedicate to their sport. A resource that he used on campus was the ARC Dusty Baker Center, a counseling support committee specifically for athletics.
The ARC Dusty Baker Center offers services such as tutoring, peer mentoring and practicing time management skills to aid sports students and oversee their academic performance to ensure that they don’t stray off course.
‘’These building programs and student resources at ARC are the best of community colleges and highly sought [after],’’ Baldacchino said.
Baldacchino graduated with an A.A. in social science and finished out his remaining years at the University of Texas, EL Paso, graduating in 2019.
His first coach teaching job was at Oak Ridges High School, El Dorado Hills where he mentored and instructed high school players for five years. It was a full circle moment for him: this school is also where he completed high school and worked alongside past coaches.
It gave him a different insight, going from a former student to a player to coaching at the school where he used to walk the halls and rehearse practice with his teammates.
When the offensive assistant coach position opened up, Ostererhout approached Baldacchino about the job and asked if he wanted to come coach for ARC football players.
Ronda Baldacchino, Marco’s mother, has always been an involved parent by providing him with words of encouragement, pushing him toward success.
‘’Marco is so driven, good-oriented, and a hard-working person that he’ll do great because he knows what he takes and is relatable to the players,’’ says his mother, Ronda Baldacchino.
Baldacchino always thought about coming back to the campus and was thrilled about the opportunity as he was reminded of his nostalgic memories spent at ARC. Attending ARC had a vast impact on Baldacchino’s life, it opened him to new connections and possibilities that mirror his character in today’s present.
‘’We use football as a vehicle in life, it reflects so many life aspects that we use such as communication, teamwork, and respect. Being back with my staff sets such an influence on my life,’’ Baldacchino said.
