#GRAD2BeARebelForever: Giovanni Fauolo Sr.
UNLV Football
 
No less than 65 UNLV current and former student-athletes would have been eligible to take part in the University's Spring Commencement ceremonies this week, including making that memorable walk across the stage inside the Thomas & Mack Center. COVID-19 had other ideas, of course, and the pomp and circumstance have been postponed for the Class of 2020. In their honor, each day this week UNLVRebels.com will tell the story of one member from our esteemed group of new grads.


 
A two-year starter at tight end for the UNLV football team, Giovanni Anthony Fauolo Sr. enjoyed the rare honor of being voted a team captain by his teammates before his junior season last fall.
 
Team captains on the collegiate level are almost always seniors but no one was particularly surprised when Gio's name was announced following an August scrimmage at Sam Boyd Stadium. A product of Freedom High School in the Bay Area, Fauolo (pronounced fow-OH-low) has proved to be a leader on many levels, including in the classroom as he's set this week to earn his bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from UNLV.
 
The first in his family to graduate college, Fauolo not only pulled it off with another season of eligibility in his pocket but also under the weight of responsibilities that come from being a father. Indeed, he welcomed Giovanni Jr. during the 2018 football season and has spent this time during the pandemic helping raise his son here in Las Vegas while also splitting time with his parents who recently moved to Southern Nevada.
 
Asked to estimate how many relatives were originally planning on watching him "walk" in person this Saturday, Fauolo claims the number would have hit triple-digits.
 
"Somewhere between 100-200, probably," says Fauolo. "I'm the first one to do it in my family but I'm most sad for my parents and grandmothers who were looking forward to seeing it happen."
 
Ranked the nation's No. 72 tight end prospect out of high school, Fauolo flatly says there would have been no college for him either without the benefit of having earned an athletic scholarship. He has steadily become a key piece of the Rebel offense since hitting campus and turned in a career-year in 2019, tying for third on the team with 22 receptions for 295 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "Football has taught me way more about myself than I would have ever figured out without playing," he says. "Learning discipline and organization have helped me with school."
 
He credits a big assist to making sure he got his diploma to folks inside the athletics department. "The staff being so supportive was big for me. There's always an open door for someone to talk to. It doesn't even have to be about school or football -- they always have an ear for us."
 
Topping that list of internal advocates is the program's academic services director, David Wedley.
 
"He's a complete game changer -- probably the best in this business. He's someone that I would invite to my wedding someday. He's had a special impact on me from being someone I can talk to, or getting on me, when needed. It's hard dealing with 100 football players, and he has gotten to know every one of us on an individual level. He truly loves his job and you can tell he cares about all of us."
 
Another person Fauolo credits for his getting to graduate this week is his longtime girlfriend, Shariah.
 
"It was definitely hard at first (juggling being a father, football player and college student). From losing sleep, to balancing homework and helping take care of my son, it's been tough. But my girlfriend lifted a big burden off my shoulders during the season. She would take the night shift even though she had school or work in the morning too. She makes being a parent look easy and I don't think I would have had a successful season or academic year without her help."
 
While he's missed training with his teammates during the past two months, Fauolo says he will cherish the unexpected bevy of time he's spent with family during this unprecedented challenge.
 
"Between school and football, I sacrifice time with my son. I didn't even get to spend his first birthday with him because we were traveling (to play a game). So getting this extra time is a treat. It's definitely something I don't take for granted."
 
Hoping to play in his first bowl game to cap his final season as a Rebel, Fauolo will pursue a second bachelor's degree while competing for his all-new coaching staff in 2020. And after football is finally over, he looks to become a probation officer for youth "so that I can help troubled kids get on a better path for success."
 
"I wouldn't change anything about where I am today," he says. "UNLV was the place for me and I'm glad I'm able to receive my degree from here."
 
PLAYING FAVORITES
FAVORITE CLASS AT UNLV:
My favorite class would have to be drama my freshman year with my other freshman teammates. It was a perfect icebreaker for us as teammates, and as an introduction to college.
 
FAVORITE PROFESSOR:
Professors (Constancio) Arnaldo and (Sheila) Bock, my two IDS teachers, have been challenging intellectually, but also very helpful and insightful. They're great teachers. But I would like to give a shout out to all the teachers I've had this semester. It hasn't been easy transitioning to online due to coronavirus, but they've made it easier on us as students. Whether they're flexible with due dates or meeting with students via FaceTime -- they tried their best to not skip a beat -- and they did it!
 
FAVORITE REBEL MEMORY (SO FAR):
My best memory would have to be coming back and beating Reno two years ago. It was my son's first game and I had a pretty big day in helping us come back. NOTE: Fauolo's 18-yard touchdown catch helped UNLV rally from a 23-0 deficit to defeat UNR, 34-29, and end the 2018 season by setting the school record for largest comeback.