Marco Iannuzzi

Minor Football

1997–2001: Calgary Cowboys football club winning 3 Provincial Championships.

High School Football

2002–2004: Iannuzzi lead the St. Francis Browns (Calgary, Alberta) to its first back to back Provincial title in school history. He was undefeated through all three years of high school 29-0. The 2004 team was ranked the #1 high school football team in Canada.

Junior Football

2005: Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) National Champion with the Edmonton Huskies and All-Canadian. 6-time Nike player of week. League's outstanding return specialist of the year. Conference All-Star. Huskies Rookie of the year. League record with a 120-yard kickoff return for a TD.

Harvard Football

2007: Earned rare playing time for a freshman wide receiver, and also returning kickoffs. Major H recipient.

2008: Lead the NCAA in receiving yards with 11 receptions for 174 yards, including a 68-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass in a 25-24 win over Holy Cross in the season opener. Three catches into game two against Brown he shattered his collarbone which required surgery to repair. Following his 6-game absence recovering from surgery he caught a 39-yard pass at The Game versus Yale.

2009: Returned 15 kickoffs for 344 yards with a long of 57 against Penn. Totalled 695 all-purpose yards. Had 72 all-purpose yards in a win over Brown. Had 175 all-purpose yards against Lafayette. Had 163 all-purpose yards against Penn with 51 receiving and 83 kickoff return yards on two attempts.

2010: Iannuzzi averaged 34.5 yards per kickoff return in 2010, making him Harvard’s all-time leader in that category. For his career, Iannuzzi averaged 26.5 yards per return, which also places him atop Harvard’s all-time list. He is the first player to have two kickoff returns for a touchdown in a single season. Had 194 all-purpose yards at Brown with a 21-yard touchdown catch and a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Returned two kickoffs for a total of 92 yards at Lafayette but broke his clavicle which required surgery. Playing for the first time in 49 days against Yale, Iannuzzi took his first kickoff return 84 yards for a touchdown to start the second half. The run sparked a Harvard team that had trailed throughout the game and paved the way for a 28-21 win. Following the game he was awarded the game ball, with which he immediately sent to Ashley Stearns who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. Ashley's father Geoff Stearns had attended 33 consecutive Harvard vs Yale bowl games prior to 2010 when he remained bedside with Ashley during her recovery. Also caught a 46-yard pass against the Bulldogs. Named national kickoff returner of the week by College Football Performance Awards and the Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Week.

Harvard & MIT Academia

Marco spent his first two years as an economics concentrator while pursuing Pre-medical requirements. He spent the following two years of his degree exploring the realms of engineering, architecture and environmental science. Combining these faculties he became one of only 10 to successfully petition the creation of a new multi-focused degree. The innovative nature of his program design called for cross-registration at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Professional Football

2011: 2011 Grey Cup Champion. Marco was the Lions’ first selection in the 2011 CFL Draft. He made his CFL debut in Week 1 and appeared in 15 regular season games where he caught eight passes for 65 yards and added 135 yards on 16 punt returns for an 8.4 yard average. Marco made four starts in the second half of the year and was awarded the special teams game ball when he intercepted Noel Prefontaine's attempted fake punt play on Sep 10/11 vs the Toronto Argonauts. In the Western Final and Grey Cup victories he caught 3 passes for 31 yards.

2012: Iannuzzi had his first two touchdown performance against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on October 5 when stepping in for injured CFL All-time leading receiver, Geroy Simon. Marco had his best statistical professional start to date versus the Edmonton Eskimos on July 20 where he caught 7 passes for 99 yards and had 2 rushes for 10 yards. He finished the regular season with 30 receptions for 353 yards and 5 TDs.

2013: In his third season with the Lions, Marco became a regular starter recording 15 starts in 17 appearances as well as the Western Semi-Final. He caught 24 passes for 244 yards and a pair of TDs, one of which came vs the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug 30 when grabbed a season-high four passes for 66 yards. That game also included his longest gain as a CFL player, a 56-yard completion from Travis Lulay.

2014: Marco spent the first four games of the year on the injured list before dressing for the 14 remaining games of the year. Notching 11 receptions for 124 yards on the year, Marco was also called upon to be a regular on special teams where he recorded a career-high 401 yards on 19 kickoff returns and 86 yards on 14 punt returns. His season highlight came in Winnipeg on Oct 25/14 where he tallied a 59-yard kickoff return and had another 93-yard TD effort called back.

2015: Marco appeared in all 18 regular season games for the first time in his CFL career notching five receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. His top performance on the season came in Edmonton on Sep. 26 when he tallied two catches for 47 yards including a dazzling 15-yard touchdown grab. Playing a key role on special teams, Marco recorded 14 punt returns for a career-high 174 yards featuring a 57-yard romp versus Edmonton on Oct. 17 as well as 3 kickoff returns for 47 yards.

2016: An increased role in the offence paid dividends for Marco as he hauled in 29 catches for a career-high 360 yards with his best outing coming on July 7 versus Toronto where he had three grabs for 57 yards. He also tallied 55 yards on two other occasions, both against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Marco continued to play a significant role on special teams with 22 punt returns for 232 yards, both career-highs, as well as five kickoff returns for 104 yards. Marco capped-off the season by collecting the CFLPA’s Tom Pate Memorial Award, given annually to the player demonstrating sportsmanship and saluting their dedication to community service.

2017: Marco signed a two year extension with the Lions through the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Philanthropy

Marco serves as a Chairmen, Director, Board Member, Emcee and Live Auctioneer for various charities and community initiatives. He currently sits as Chairmen of Ernie Els for Autism Vancouver, Board Member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Sources BC, and The Whistler Invitational.

As a live auctioneer he has help raise over $4 million on the auction block for various charitable causes including:

MS Society of Canada

Board Member, Event Ambassador, Live Auctioneer. Inspired by his mother, who has lived with Multiple Sclerosis since he was a child.

Els for Autism

Chairmen, Emcee, Auctioneer, Event Ambassador. Marco joined Ernie Els in his commitment to helping people diagnosed on the autism spectrum live healthy, productive lives. As a Chairmen and Ambassador he helped start 6 golf tournaments across Canada to join the other 19 tournaments in the US. Ernie Els for Autism golf challenge is the largest charity-driven amateur golf tournament in history.

Sources BC

Board Member, Emcee, Event Ambassador. Sources is a community-based non-profit agency dedicated to supporting the needs of children, youth and families, persons with disabilities and seniors that reside throughout the communities of White Rock, Surrey, Langley, Delta and Prince George.

The Whistler Invitational

Board Member, Live Auctioneer, Event Ambassador. The Whistler Invitational is hosted by Ryan Johansen and Brenden Dillon has a goal to bring together some of the worlds finest hockey players and golf enthusiasts in support of Make-A-Wish Canada.

Climb For The Cup

"Marco Iannuzzi's Climb For The Grey Cup" was put on to support the Branch Out Neurological Foundation The public event invited participants to join Marco, and the Grey Cup, in an 802 step scramble to the summit of the Calgary Tower in support of the Branch Out Neurological Foundation. The event was inspired by Marco's mother who has multiple sclerosis

Energy Champions

Marco teamed up with FortisBC for an environmental educational tour of 75 elementary schools called Energy Champions. The program was designed specifically for children in kindergarten through grade seven, emphasizing the importance of environmental responsibility and being an 'Energy Champion'.

PALS Autism School

Emcee, Live Auctioneer, Event Ambassador. PALS Autism School provides year-round schooling and programming using effective and scientifically validated instruction, based on the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).

BC Children’s Hospital

Visits Patients. BC Children’s Hospital provides care for the most seriously ill or injured children from across British Columbia

Children's Organ Transplant Society

Event Ambassador. The Children’s Organ Transplant Society (COTS) is a registered charity started to support BC families who have children who are waiting for an organ transplant or who have had an organ transplant.

BC Center for Ability

Live Auctioneer, Event Ambassador. The BC Centre for Ability provides community-based services that enhance the quality of life for children, youth and adults with disabilities and their families in ways that facilitate and build competencies and foster inclusion in all aspects of life.

Canadian Diabetes Association

Live Auctioneer, Event Ambassador. The Canadian Diabetes Association leads the fight against diabetes by helping those affected by diabetes live healthy lives, preventing the onset and consequences of diabetes, and discovering a cure.

Coast Mental Health

Event Ambassador. Coast fosters a client-driven, recovery-oriented environment that promotes restoring health, personal growth and a return to society for individuals with a mental illness through advocacy and providing direct programs and services.

Michael Cuccione Foundation

Event Ambassador. Michael Cuccione Foundation is a charitable organization that raises funds to support Childhood Cancer Research Program.

Special Olympics BC

Keynote Speaker, Event Ambassador. Athletes participate recreationally or strive to compete at regional, provincial, national, or international events. SOBC athletes also have opportunities for leadership roles in their communities by serving as athlete speakers, and fundraising and program volunteers.

Vancouver Pride Society

Event Ambassador. Marco marches in the Pride Parade to support and celebrate members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirited and Queer community, their friends and allies.

Men of Hope – Survivors of Childhood Victimization

Live Auctioneer, Event Ambassador. Non-Profit committed to raising awareness and resources for survivors of childhood victimization through public education and charity events that support existing agencies / organizations that provide services for victims of child abuse.

Make-A-Wish

Event Ambassador. The mission of Make-A-Wish® Canada is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Dylan Reichelt Memorial Scholarship

Emcee, Live Auctioneer. The Dylan Reichelt Memorial golf tournament which works to raise educational scholarships in memory of amateur golfer Dylan Reichelt who died at the age of 18.

Canadian Paralympics

Event Ambassador. By supporting Canadian high performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations.

Andy Bhatti Interventions & Addiction Services

Live Auctioneer, Event Ambassador. Andy strives to continue raising awareness and prevention on addiction and childhood sexual abuse. Working in communities all across Canada providing safe interventions, recovery support, and sober coaching. Wanting individuals and families to know that there is always hope and help available for everybody.

Canuck Place Children's Hospice

Patient Visits. A place of comfort and compassion where children could experience the simple joy of being a child, and families could cherish each moment together.

Canadian Cancer Society

Event Ambassador. Fear, anxiety, helplessness, anger – these are feelings people can have when faced with a cancer diagnosis. But knowledge and support are power. Canadian Cancer Society provides services that are free or low cost and confidential, and many are available in multiple languages.

You Can Play Project

CFL Ambassador. BC Lions Ambassador. Event Ambassador. You Can Play efforts are aimed to bring awareness and reduce the prevalence of homophobia in sports.

EA Sports Outreach

Event Ambassador. EA Outreach is dedicated to encouraging EA employees to be involved in the community and supporting the causes our employees care for through matching employee donations dollar for dollar, up to a defined limit, to any nonprofit organization based in the US or Canada.

National Marrow Donor Program

Event Ambassador. Marco joined the National Marrow Donor “be the match” campaign in 2007 and has since taken part in adding over 750 people the Be The Match Registry.