When I arrived at Siena College as a freshman, I knew the path I saw for myself alongside competing for the Saints, and hopefully one day in the professional ranks.

Psychology, and specifically sports psychology, was a field I wanted to get into.

So, logically, making that the focus for my major felt like it would be a good step in the right direction. The plan would then be to look at enrolling in grad school to study sports psychology.

That was the path I wanted.

But as life happens, and perspectives change, a new path emerges.

And that’s why I decided to enroll in online classes at Bellevue University to pursue a second bachelors’ degree in Sport Management.

Since my brother Jack – who you probably know from the Philadelphia Union – and I were kids, we’ve talked about what it might be like to run a facility that can help support and develop young soccer players. When we were growing up in New York during the winter, it was never easy to train outside. Being able to train at certain facilities as kids, we wondered about the work that it takes to get into that.

Throughout my coursework at Bellevue University, I was able to learn about that firsthand, seeing how the business and the operations function. We’ve already been fortunate to create our own paths in professional soccer – seeing Jack make his debut for the United States Men’s National Team earlier this year was a proud moment – but ultimately, we want to use the platform we have to hopefully inspire others to do the same.

Being in my fifth season in the USL Championship, I feel like I’ve already learned a lot. Getting this far certainly wasn’t easy, and the early days when I was vying for a spot with Hartford Athletic were a grind.

While I’d played my senior season for Siena College, I still had three classes left to complete in the Spring semester in 2020. So, I was basically driving back and forth between Hartford and the campus in Loudonville, New York, every day while I was trying out. It was two hours there, two hours back, which was definitely a lot, especially because I wasn’t sure if I was going to make the team.

I was fortunate that at Siena, I had a professor in Seema Chaturvedi, Ph.D., who was willing to work with me. She would stay late at night, just so I could get all my work done. Once I told her what my aspiration was, she was very helpful. She’s still guiding students now as a Teaching Professor of Biology.

Of course, the shutdown due to COVID-19 that spring added another wrinkle to the equation. It was almost a good thing for me, because then I could stay in Hartford and complete my studies. At that point, I had signed my first pro deal with Athletic, and so I was there for the rest of the season while I completed my degree online.

In some ways, that helped prepare me to jump back in when I enrolled with Bellevue University. The partnership they’ve developed with the USL to offer scholarships for players has been really beneficial. Being someone who wants to constantly learn, when that opportunity kind of came about, I jumped at it.

The two things that were most interesting to me when I look back at my classes, was firstly a lot of my classmates were in their 40s and 50s, looking to go back to school and better themselves. Then there was the way the professors laid out the classes. A lot of it, you do work on your own, a good amount of it is discussion-board based, but you have basically the entire week to get work done, so it’s on your own time. You’ll have lesson plans you have to listen to, but it’s all within what you’re able to do during that week.

The most useful part for me was the understanding they showed with the schedule I have as a professional athlete. Between travel for games, recoveries and training sessions, you’re also trying to do a five-page paper. Sometimes, you get off training or a long travel and the last thing you want to do is do schoolwork. The flexibility Bellevue University’s faculty offered in being able to do your work on an off day was incredibly helpful.

From my perspective, there was a lot of balancing, because obviously you want to take off on your off days. But in the long-term, earning my degree was an investment in myself that was definitely difficult at some points, but which will definitely pay off.

Now, we’re heading full steam ahead with Rhode Island FC in the final stretch of the season. We have a team that’s hungry to win, and we’re right on the edge of playoffs. Our goals haven’t been met yet, and there’s definitely a lot to play for.

But five years into my career, being part of a club being built from the ground up has been an incredible experience, and we know there’s even more to come when we move into our new stadium next year.

As a team, we sometimes go to the new stadium site that’s being built. It feels special, and shows what you’re fighting for. I mean, we’re currently the only professional team in Rhode Island, so we represent the whole state, and seeing such a magnificent stadium being built in Downtown Pawtucket it has just been amazing.

Hopefully, I’ve got plenty of years ahead of me to enjoy competing there. With the opportunities I’ve been able to take advantage of away from the field with Bellevue University, though, I know I’m going to be prepared for the day when I’m done, and it’s time for the next chapter of my journey to begin.