Remembering Erica Cadieux

Annual Memorial Game Marks 10 Years Concordia Stadium

SportsAlexander Perez — Published September 28, 2015

Cadieux was pushing her 18-month-old baby in a stroller before being fatally struck down by the vehicle.

“[It was] very disheartening, very heavy,” said Carlo Spadafora, Cadieux’s widowed husband.

In remembrance of Cadieux, the Concordia Stingers held their 10th annual Erica Cadieux Memorial game at Concordia Stadium this past Friday night. Spadafora and his daughters, Bianca—who was in the stroller as her mother was hit—and Olivia, greeted both the Stingers and their opponents, the Sherbrooke Vert et Or, at midfield.

Despite the Stingers 2-1 loss to the Vert et Or, it was still a successful night for the team as they raised donations and collected gifts for the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

The former Stinger had played for Concordia between 1992 and 1994 as a midfielder and defender for the women’s team. Spadafora described her as “hard-working, tenacious and dedicated.”

Current Concordia Stingers women’s soccer coach Jorge Sanchez never coached Cadieux, but says that he’s spoken former teammates about her.

“She represents what it is to be a student athlete,” he said.

Ten years on, the Erica Cadieux Memorial game still remains a tradition at Concordia and serves as a meaningful event for the school.

“It’s all about creating a tradition that someone can hold onto,” said Sanchez.

The annual game remains close to Spadafora’s heart and has sentimental value for him and his daughters.

“The girls and I look forward to this,” said Spadafora. “It’s become a bit of a family reunion,”

Donations will be accepted until Oct. 2 at the Concordia Recreation and Athletics Complex at 7200 Sherbrooke St. W.