Gagliano's stellar career just getting started

Navigating through high school is tough for any teenager. Balancing academics, growing as a person, and managing social life is no easy task. Throw into the mix being a multi-sport athlete and a three-star quarterback, and you're describing Roman Gagliano.

Gagliano is a junior at Opelika High School, where he plays varsity football, basketball and golf. Juggling all three sports and being a high school student is challenging, and Gagliano credits his parents, Charles and Drucilla Gagliano, in helping him manage it.

“Ever since growing up, they always taught us to be disciplined and work hard. That’s how you’re going to get everything that comes to you. By working hard,” he said. “I think their sports background really sets the example of how we do it.”

Gagliano's parents both had successful athletic careers. His father played Division I baseball at Jacksonville State and West Florida, while his mother played Division I softball at West Florida. The two met while playing at a JUCO college in Florida. Their love for sports is something they passed on to their six kids.

“It really keeps us together…we all make a point to support each other as a family and be there whenever we can,” Charles Gagliano said. “There’s a lot of support that goes into it. It’s almost like the glue that keeps us together sometimes.”

Growing up with collegiate athletes paid dividends to Roman Gagliano, leading him to be a three-star quarterback in Alabama and already receiving interest from programs like North Alabama and Troy. His mother is proud to see how far he has come.

“I think it’s pretty neat to see how he’s grown since he started playing… keeping him grounded and keeping him humble,” she said. “You've been given this ability and to make sure that you do what you're supposed to do, and then just be part of the team and helping others work towards the same goal.”

Charles Gagliano noted his son's greatest strength is his leadership capabilities.

“He's always been a good leader, both on the field and off the field,” he said. “A good leader really makes teammates better, and that's something that we try to keep him reminded of so that he can continue to do that.”

Athletics are not Roman Gagliano's lone focus. Academics is important to him too, and he admits that balancing the two can be challenging.

“It's stressful at times, trying to study for tests right after practice and shower and stuff,” Roman Gagliano said. “I do a pretty good job of making sure everything is turned in, and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing.”

Roman Gagliano is currently gearing up for golf season at Opelika High School. After that concludes he will look on to his senior season of football and basketball.

— By Donavan Weaver, The Auburn Advance