Antonino Arrigo '23 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing soccer for as long as I can remember.  I first stepped on a soccer pitch when I was three years old.  I was hooked!  Since then, I have dedicated myself to honing my skills so that they were clean and sharp. I watched every game I could.  Focused my attention on the best players in the world so that I could emulate their moves - realizing that if I wanted to reach their level of play I would need to intensify my practice sessions in order to gain the edge I needed to compete with the best.

The death today of Pele - arguably regarded as the world's best soccer player - brings the end of an era in soccer.  While there are current superstar players - none will ever hold a candle to the beauty that Pele brought to light on every soccer pitch on which he played.  His immeasurable impact is not lost on me as it is because of Pele’s international impact on the game - that he helped to grow across the United States - that made soccer available to the three year old me.

Playing soccer became an outlet, a release, and helped to build my confidence.  It has helped me to see myself as part of a team.  It has helped me to see that healthy competition allows me to show the best of my abilities.  Win or lose - every practice and every game - gave me the will to persevere and strive to do better the next time.

As I grew - so did my skills.  Every chance for a free moment brought me to the backyard where I would kick the ball around, practice drills, build my endurance.  As a result - I have developed excellent ball handling and shooting skills - which has translated into more wins for my team.  My abilities have not gone unnoticed.  This year, I was chosen from all soccer players in the Catholic High School Leagues as 1 of  4 students from Kellenberg Memorial High School to play in the 2022 Catholic Senior ALL Star Soccer Games. 

Now, in my last year of high school, I currently serve as captain for the Kellenberg Memorial High School soccer team and the East Meadow Soccer Club. My teammates see me as a team leader and try to lead by example while also encouraging my teammates in return.

This past Spring, I won the Bernie Ward Commitment Award for the athlete who has displayed the most passion and commitment towards bettering themselves and their teammates during the season.  This is what was said of me, “Being a two-year starter and senior captain this year, Antonino demonstrated quiet leadership through his actions more than words. His commitment to this team was always visually present. After all, over the last two seasons, while suffering some injuries, he seemed to bounce back faster than the average athlete because he cared so much for this team.”

The focus and commitment I have devoted to soccer has translated into my school work.  I study hard and maintain a 3.8 GPA.  And I know that I will maintain this work ethic once in college as my chosen field of study - Pre-Medicine - will require a high level of priority and concentration.  Soccer has given this to me.

Thinking all the way back to that first experience on the soccer field, I have aspired to play at the collegiate level. I know that playing in college is a once in a lifetime opportunity that could change my whole life - which in  turn - will continue to push me in the classroom and on the field. 

While I may never reach the international superstar status of Pele - I hope to become a great role model to all my peers and make my parents proud.