Gene Ventriglia

Broschiertes Buch

The PASSION for the Beautiful Game, SOCCER

The Motivation of a Young Immigrant's Search for his AMERICAN DREAM

Beschreibung

Gene Ventriglia was a very poor fourteen-year-old immigrant when he arrived in New York harbor in early July 1958. Coming from the tiny village of Alife (Italy), he had grown up in a farm village of about three hundred inhabitants. The village, as well as his parents' house, had been leveled by bombs in the final days of World War II. In 1958, the memories were still very much alive as postwar reconstruction was far from completion. These were the surroundings where Gene Ventriglia grew up. Gene had only known his small village and was unaware that common items, such as telephones and TV sets, even existed. One can only imagine his reaction upon seeing New York skyscrapers and the size and number of cars when he first walked on the New York streets. He had no idea how his life would change in the very near future. How would he react? He wondered if he would make friends. After all, how would he communicate? He did not know a word of English. Gene soon realized that getting a good education was the key to success. However, he realized that it would take great efforts and motivation on his part. Was he willing to put in the necessary effort? He needed to learn a new language in a community where he only heard Italian. His search to find that AMERICAN DREAM lasted more that sixty years. During this time, Gene was faced with one challenge after another in his search for that dream. In each case, Gene used his passion for the game of soccer to fuel his motivation and determination not to give up every time he arrived at a dead end. Gene's path to find that dream was full of surprises. In all cases, he was very determined and he demonstrated outstanding motivation to achieve his goal.

Autor

"On July 5, 1958, Gene Ventriglialanded in New York harbor follow-ing a ten-day trip on the Italian shipGiulio Cesare. A World War II baby,Gene was a product of postwar Italyand came from a very poor environ-ment. Gene and his family were mov-ing to the United States in an effort toimprove their lives. This young immi-grant experienced tremendous setbacksduring his early days in America.Gene overcame the unexpecteddeath of his father one year after hisarrival, and Gene struggled with his English but still graduated fromhigh school on time. Overcoming great difficulties, Gene went onto earn a BA degree in three short years and a master's degree in oneyear. He earned both degrees with a magna cum laude.Gene has always had a deep passion for the game of soccer. Thispassion was the tool that continuously helped him overcome obsta-cles and develop the necessary determination to stay on task to findhis American Dream. When faced with difficult tasks, Gene alwaysrelied on his love for this game to push him to succeed. His strongdetermination and drive were fueled by the fact that he could alwayslook forward to the next soccer practice or soccer match to revivehis motivation to overcome the next challenge. This passion alwaysfueled his inner strength and determination.While attending college, Gene was driven by his desire to suc-ceed. This feeling was also a determining factor in becoming anoutstanding soccer player. A four-time all-conference and all-stateselection, Gene was also a three-time college all-American. In hissenior year, Soccer Magazine selected him as National College Playerof the Year. Five short years following his arrival in the USA, Genebecame an American citizen. In December 1966, Gene Ventrigliawas selected to be a member of the 1968 US Olympic Soccer Squadas well as a member of the 1967 Pan-American Soccer Team.Gene Ventriglia devoted his life to teaching. He was a highschool teacher for twenty years, teaching French and Spanish, as wellas history (European studies). In 1985, he fulfilled his life dream ofcoaching at the Division I level. He was named as the women's soccercoach at the US Military Academy at West Point. Gene headed theprogram until 2009. In 2020, Gene Ventriglia reached his quest forthat dream as he was given the ultimate honor of being inducted tothe West Point Athletics Hall of Fame. He would also be inducted tohis alma mater's Hall of Fame, as well as the New York State SoccerHall of Fame."

Produktdetails

• Verlag: SpineText Publishing
• Seitenzahl: 156
• Erscheinungstermin: 25. Mai 2024
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 229mm x 152mm x 9mm
• Gewicht: 237g
• ISBN-13: 9798989721634
• Artikelnr.: 70923996