I started attending Bentley University in August of 2020, a time when the world was in the midst of a major pandemic. My first year at Bentley wasn’t like a typical first year of college. Looking back on my time as a Bentley Falcon, the moments that stood out as the most meaningful to me were the hard times I went through with my classmates, teammates, and coaches. With my classmates, it was difficult to form relationships, learn to network, or connect with people who had different perspectives on life. Building my knowledge of the world through diverse interactions was a challenge because everything was conducted on Zoom. With my teammates, we all came together to play our favorite sport, but that opportunity was taken from us. As a result, it was difficult to develop the strong bond that a championship team needs or to truly get to know the people I would go to battle with on Saturday afternoons under the raging sun, fighting to dominate all four quarters of the game. With my coaches, they were supposed to be my mentors for the next four years, shaping me into a man who could take on not only the difficulties of the game but also the challenges that life would throw at me. Those moments resonate with me because, despite the hardships, I knew I wasn’t going through them alone. I formed great friendships with my recruiting class, and together, we helped each other get through the difficult times. My coaches did everything they could to make the experience feel somewhat normal. I was able to learn and connect with my classmates in ways I never expected. Although my first year wasn’t what I had envisioned, I decided to shift my perspective—not to dwell on the negatives but to find the positives within them. These hardships taught me that the way you view challenges is crucial. In the darkest times, you must be your own light, and in doing so, you will attract others who will help brighten that light, allowing you to get through the storm.
My experience in sports has had a profound impact on my life. I was born in a different country and moved to America at the age of 10 with my three younger siblings and both of my parents. I had to figure out a way to attend college and help my parents, which is why I started playing football and began my athletic journey. It was difficult because I was unfamiliar with the sport, didn’t understand it, and had no guidance from my parents since they didn’t understand it either. Despite these challenges, my coach would always remind us: "Football is like life—it’s not easy. If it were, everyone would be playing it. When you get knocked down, you have to find the strength to pick yourself back up and move on to the next play. Last but not least, play for the man next to you and play for the team." Those words have stuck with me to this day. As I’ve grown, I’ve realized that he was absolutely right. I never stop fighting and always get back up, both on and off the field, because I am playing for something bigger than myself. On the field, I give 110% to a team that welcomed me as part of a family, and that mindset helped push me through the toughest moments. It’s the fourth quarter. The other team has the ball. It’s fourth and three. My legs are tired, and I can barely get into my defensive line stance, but I look to my right and my left and see that I’m not alone—I’m not fighting just for myself. That’s when that extra 10% boost kicks in and gives me the motivation to keep pushing. The same goes for life off the field. I started playing sports to help the people I care about. When life gets tough, understanding that I have people who depend on me and want to see me succeed is what motivates me to push through my hardest times. My parents sacrificed everything back home to give their children a chance at the American dream. That’s my “why” the reason I give 110%. I am also the oldest of four, and I have younger siblings who look up to me. That’s my other “why.” It’s never just about me. I have always had people who helped me push through my darkest moments and scale the obstacles life has thrown my way.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned through my athletic career at Bentley—one that I will carry into the next chapter of my life—is that family is everything. Over my four years here, I’ve had different head coaches and experienced numerous cultural changes, but through it all, the family I built—the team, the staff never gave up on each other. We stuck together and got through it. Even alumni who graduated 10 to 15 years ago have remained connected and supported us. To me, the key is to build and find a family like Bentley provided for me.
If I could go back to my first year as a student-athlete at Bentley, the biggest advice I would give my younger self is to embrace adaptability and focus on controlling what I can. Starting college in 2020 during the pandemic was far from a typical experience, and I had to navigate challenges that no one could have fully prepared me for. However, looking back, I realize that the way I chose to approach those difficulties made all the difference. I would tell myself to focus on perspective. It’s easy to dwell on what’s missing but finding the positives in tough situations is what builds resilience. Football was taken away for a time, but that didn’t mean the lessons and camaraderie had to disappear. My teammates and I were still in it together, pushing through adversity, and that shared struggle made us stronger.
As I close this chapter at Bentley, I want to take a moment to reflect on my journey and express my gratitude to the people who have made these four years so meaningful. First and foremost, I want to thank my teammates, coaches, professors, and mentors who have supported me through the ups and downs. From the challenges of starting college during a global pandemic to the intense battles on the field, every experience has shaped me into the person I am today. The bonds I’ve built both in the classroom and on the field are ones that will stay with me for a lifetime. To my coaches, thank you for pushing me beyond my limits not just as an athlete, but as a person. You taught me that football is more than just a game, it’s a reflection of life. The lessons of perseverance, accountability, and teamwork will stay with me long after my playing days are over. To my fellow Falcons, especially those coming after me, my biggest piece of advice is to embrace the journey, even when it doesn’t go as planned. There will be challenges, setbacks, and moments when you question yourself, but those are the times that will define you. Learn to your teammates, appreciate your coaches, and never take a single moment for granted. The relationships you build here will carry you further than you can imagine.
Bentley has given me more than an education, it has given me a family, a purpose, and a foundation for the future. I leave here with gratitude in my heart, knowing that no matter where life takes me, I will always be a Falcon.