Why did you choose Drew University?
Drew has great academics and an amazing athletic program, which were the two most important things to me when choosing a school. However, I truly knew that Drew was the right place for me when I came for my overnight recruiting trip. I fell absolutely in love with the campus lit up at night by the lamps on the winding path and with the teammates I was walking with through it.
What is something most people don't know about you?
I can find a four-leaf clover absolutely anywhere with grass.
What is your most memorable moment as a Ranger?
Winning the Landmark Conference Championship my sophomore year, hands down.
How has being an athlete helped you as a student and in the classroom?
Being a student athlete has made me well-rounded. Soccer has been part of my life since I was a kid, and it is still part of my life as an adult. Being involved in athletics at the college level has taught me not only to work hard to get what I want, but to continue asking more of myself in order to progress farther. Being an athlete has made me comfortable with competition, and to expect the unexpected in order to advance in not only soccer, but school, work, and my personal life.
What is the most difficult part of your sport?
Finding a pair of cleats that will last me an entire season without ripping.
Why do you wear your jersey number?
I wear the #13 because it has always been looked at as an unlucky number. I wear it to remind myself that luck has nothing to do with my achievements. There is always going to be something against you, and an "unlucky" number helps me to remember that none of that matters.
What advice do you have for a prospective Drew University student-athlete?
Drew has done more for me than I thought a school ever could. I have won a conference championship, studied abroad in Australia, and played soccer in Europe, which were all dreams of mine that could have never been accomplished without coming to Drew. The best advice that I could give to anyone about choosing a college is to pick a school that has the capability to give you what you want, as long as you are willing to work for it.
Why is community service important to your role as a student-athlete at Drew?
I believe community service helps you become a more well-rounded person. It gives you a chance to get to know the people you live and work close to. It gives you a chance to be a part of something bigger than just a student or athlete alone.
Name one obstacle or form of adversity you have had to overcome...
A number of things come to mind when I think of obstacles I have had to overcome, but every single one was made worse because of my anxiety. My anxiety has held me down in many ways, but forcing myself to do the things that my anxiety told me not to do is what has given me the life I now love.
Rapid Fire:
Color? Blue
Food? Anything with chocolate, cheese, or bread
Restaurant? Maggiano's Little Italy
Movie? Lords of Dogtown, Fight Club, and Life is Beautiful
TV Show? Friends, Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead, Modern Family, and Scrubs
Musical Artist? Fall Out Boy, Good Charlotte, Nirvana, and Boyce Avenue
Athlete? Ronaldinho
Pro Team? Sky Blue FC and Barcelona FC
Hobbies? Drawing, rereading the Harry Potter series, and playing with my dog
Most Prized Possession? My own body
Biggest Fear? If somehow Voldemort, Smeagol, and Dolores Umbridge become one
