professional me
About: My story (with fun baby pictures) | Interview about how I got into soccer |
I love soccer. I really do. I can’t envision myself working in any other field.
I grew up playing organized sports since I was a child, and soccer has been my love ever since I laced up my first pair of $20 Adidas cleats for Tonawanda Soccer Club at 12 years old.
I played soccer through high school at Cardinal O’Hara and was offered a few DII and DIII scholarships, but focused on school instead (being the perpetual nerd).
My freshman year I went to The Ohio State University to study engineering. Quickly realizing engineering was not what I thought it was, I changed my major to Spanish and transfered back home to University at Buffalo.
I graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2005 with my B.A. in Spanish and Linguistics. While at UB, I experienced life in a true soccer culture during my time studying in Sevilla, Spain, where I lived 1.5 minutes from the Ramón Sanchez Pizjuan, Sevilla FC’s home stadium.
In 2006 I moved back to Spain and lived/worked in Villacañas, population 10,000. I was affectionately called ‘El Guiri’ which roughly translates to ‘the foreign guy’. I worked as an English professor at We Speak English and taught English classes to children and adults of all ages.
When I moved back to the United States in 2007 I embarked on making my name in the soccer industry. Since then I’ve been involved in team ownership three times, blogging, social media, league administration, coaching, ticket sales, marketing, jersey washing, and any other job that is possible in soccer. (See what I’ve done so far)
In 2007 I started a Linguistics Ph.D program at University at Buffalo and completed 2 full years of classes from 2007-2009. After two years I made the transfer to soccer as a full time career (or a full time way to barely pay bills and make ends meet).
I have a fascination with languages, which transfers well into the global game and my passion for networking all over the world. This is also how I justify my post-graduate education.
I currently live in Amherst, NY with my beautiful wife Renae and our Shetland Sheepdog daughter Ella.
My Certifications
USSF ‘E’ License
NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma (Level VI)
USSF Youth License
Future Classes
USSF ‘D’ License – Winter 2010/2011
NSCAA National Diploma – Winter 2011
My Affiliations
ANEFS – Asociación Nacional Entrenadores de Fútbol Sala
NSCAA – National Soccer Coaches Association of America
More About Me:
Education: BA Spanish, BA Linguistics (w/ honors) | University at Buffalo. MA Sociolinguistics | University at Buffalo
Family: Married October 10th, 2009 | Wife: Renae (5th year PhD and Adjunct @ University at Buffalo/Erie County Community College) Dog: Ella | Colorheaded White Shetland Sheepdog, Princess, Agility Queen
Passions: Family, Community, Sports, Revitalization of Buffalo, Meditation, Living a Meaningful Life
Languages: Fluent in English and Spanish. Catalan | Basic knowledge reading and comprehension. Currently studying French, Polish and Japanese.
Travel: Lived abroad in Sevilla, Spain Fall 2004 and Villacañas (Toledo) Spain | September 2006 – May 2007. Travelled throughout Italy and visited Lisbon, Sintra and Lagos in Portugal.
Sports Allegiances:
- Soccer Hands Down: Sevilla FC
- Major League Soccer: Toronto FC
- English Premier League: Liverpool FC
- Spanish ACB (Basketball): Estudiantes
- NFL: Buffalo Bills
- NHL: Buffalo Sabres
