Name: Nicole Rago
Team: G03 NL Black
Number of Years at Copa: 4
HS: Parsippany High School
HS Honors: All-Area, Conference Championship, High Honor Roll
Coaches at Copa: Coach Lori and Coach Roberto
College Attending: Binghamton University
Conference: American East Conference
Anticipated Major: Pre Law/History
Quote about a specific coach:
“Coach Roberto and Lori have not only supported me and believed in me since day one, but have pushed me and shaped me into the person and player I am today. They held me accountable and demanded a lot out of myself and my teammates, but it allowed me to become better than what I was, and I am so grateful and blessed to have these 2 amazing people in my life.”
What are your most memorable moments or experiences at FC Copa Academy?
One of my most memorable moments at FC Copa Academy was being honored by Coach Roberto and Lori as being named team captain, and one of my best experiences was attending the National Cup Finals twice, and being able to travel the country with my best friends.
How did FC Copa Academy help you become the player you are today?
Aside from teaching the technical aspects of the game, FC Copa has taught me how to be mentally tough, resilient, and a mature player on and off the field. They taught me how to be respectful of my teammates, coaches, referees, and everyone around us. The club pushes you physically and mentally to prepare you for the college play and life as an athlete through conditioning at practice and at home, team meetings at away tournaments, and even informational meetings at the offices.
How did FC Copa Academy help you get into the college program you will be attending?
The coaches are truthful and honest with your level of play and what you need to achieve in order to play at the level you desire.Through the informative college nights and meetings with my coaches, I was able to figure out what programs I wanted to attend and what was a good fit for me. The best thing Coaches Roberto and Lori did for me was advocate for me and support me every step of the way, and that made all the difference to get that second look that you need.
Share your thoughts and experiences on the collegiate recruitment process with FC Copa Academy.
It definitely can be very frustrating at times and when things don't go the way you were hoping it is very discouraging. But it is important that you continuously send emails to coaches and put yourself out there to make yourself known. As hard as it might seem, getting on the phone with coaches, calling them, and leaving them messages makes a huge difference. Even if you don't think they see your emails or if they don't answer your calls, you can't give up. It was definitely a long process, but I promise the end result is an indescribable feeling. FC Copa is always there helping you and making you aware of what needs to be done to get where you want to go.
What advice would you give to future FC Copa Academy athletes going through the collegiate recruitment process?
You need to be persistent and trust the process. Trust that FC Copa Academy and all the coaches and people in it have your back and will do whatever is needed to help you achieve your goals. But most importantly believe in yourself and don't lose sight of why you love to play this sport.