Coming to the United States, America is the land of opportunity, so I was definitely excited because I knew being here would definitely provide a lot more opportunities for me than being back at home.

Orio Fatoke

Nursing is Fatoke’s passion, and when he found out that Fitchburg State University offered it as a major and he could also play football, he knew this was where he wanted to continue his education.

“I remember telling my mom that I didn’t think that I would be able to play football when I came to college because I have to do nursing,” Fatoke said. “It’s already a tough program, but I remember my mom saying ‘just because everybody is not doing it doesn’t mean you can’t do it.’ That really stuck with me.

“I’m glad I came here and I have never regretted it,” he said.

Fitchburg State second-year head coach Izzy Abraham is ecstatic that Fatoke decided to play football.

“(Fatoke) means everything because he’s an example of what we try to accomplish every single day, and that’s stacking days and being the best version of you,” Abraham said. “He’s like that in the classroom, the way he brings others along in every way possible. He’s the best version of himself every single day. He’s the model of what we try to preach every single day. He’s a pleasure to have.”

The Falcons kick off the 2025 season with a home game against Dean College, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Elliot Field. The Falcons are eagerly-anticipating an electrifying crowd of fans for the true home-field advantage.

“Everyone should expect a bunch of improvements from the year before,” Fatoke said. “All the coaches did a good job of recruiting good players, either freshmen or transfers. We have a lot more talent all around. I’m excited for what we can do. Expect a bunch of physicality, expect a bunch of energy and expect a very entertaining game.”

The Fitchburg State coaching staff expects Fatoke to be a key contributor on offense this season. 

Fatoke, who made the Dean’s list last spring, rushed for 349 yards on 90 carries last year, including scoring a 1-yard touchdown run in a 26-6 win over Vermont State Castleton. As a freshman, he carried 121 times for 333 yards and a score.

“We definitely don’t have a player like him,” said Fitchburg State offensive coordinator Garrett DelleChiaie, a former star signal-caller with the Falcons. “He brings the hammer every time. He’s by far the strongest player on the field, and he works super hard in the weight room. The jump he’s made from this year to last year, physically and on the field, it’s been amazing.

“He brings another dynamic to our offense.”

DelleChiaie is also in awe of his study habits in the classroom and in football. 

“He’s a monster. He’s a nursing major and football player, that’s unheard of,” DelleChiaie said. “I was never the best student in the world, but I understand how hard college is in general. When you add the nursing major, there’s three times as much work. He has to keep a certain grade point average, he has clinical and so much more responsibility than the average student. But he’s on top of it. He does great in school and he shows up on time to everything.”

Fatoke admits that nursing “is a very hard major” and it’s important to keep the lines of communication open with his coaches if academics might get in the way of athletic obligations.

“Thank God for a coach like coach Izzy,” Fatoke said. “He’s by far the most reasonable coach I’ve played under because he’s always understanding. We are student-athletes, and student comes before being an athlete. Obviously we all want to play football, but we all come to college to get a degree.”

The goal is to get a degree and get a bunch of wins on the field.

“I am ready to ball out this season and dominate my junior year, both in my academics and in my sports,” Fatoke said.

Said like a dedicated student-athlete.