Turlock has been David Gianesin’s home for the past 10 years. It’s where he made the transition from boy to adolescence to young man and it’s where he honed his skills as a football player. But the Valley isn’t the only place in Gianesin’s heart, there’s still occupied space for his first home—Pennsylvania.

Since making the move to Turlock with his father and brother, Gianesin has only been back to visit his East Coast relatives twice. In that span of time the 20 year old attended, played football at, and graduated from Pitman High before enrolling and playing football at Modesto Junior College for two years.

Now, as his time as a Pirate comes to an end, Gianesin is preparing for a homecoming of sorts as he gets ready to move back to Pennsylvania to play wide receiver for Bluefield College.

“All my blood’s in Pennsylvania; all the family are really excited,” Gianesin said. “I wanted to do what my sister did: play two years at MJC, get an affordable education, and then transfer to a Christian university.”

Gianesin finished his high school career in 2011 with no receptions to his name. As a member of the Pride he was overlooked, but once he became a Pirate he flourished. In his first game with MJC against Sacramento City College, Gianesin caught two touchdowns and racked up 116 yards on nine receptions. The game proved to be a launching pad for an impressive freshman season where he caught a total of seven TDs and finished with 498 yards on 42 receptions.

“I didn’t see it coming, but it happened,” Gianesin said of his freshman productivity.

Gianesin’s luck didn’t last for long, though, as a trio of injuries to his shoulder, ankle, and fingers kept him out of four games in his sophomore season and led to lower second year totals of four TDs and 252 yards on 24 receptions. Still, there was enough on tape to draw the attention of Bluefield as well as other schools like Whittier and Cal Lutheran College.

In the end, family came first and Pennsylvania was the easy choice.

“They looked at my film and they liked what they saw,” Gianesin said. “I never get to see my family in PA, so I’m looking forward to it. Now I’ll be able to eat Thanksgiving with them, so that’ll be cool.”

Though he’s eager to join the Rams and begin competing in the NAIA, an ongoing search for a new head coach has delayed Gianesin’s arrival in Pennsylvania. But when he finally arrives on campus and dons his football uniform, the former Pitman athlete is expected to contribute right off the bat.

“I’ve already been groomed and developed, so they definitely intend to play me,” Gianesin said.