Click here to open the ENTIRE WEB SITE in a NEW BROWSER WINDOW

FORWARD
HT: 6’0”
WT: 146
Born: 01.01.1991 in Richmond, Va.
Hometown: Chesterfield, Va.
College: Longwood University (fall 2009)
Qualifying Condition: Traumatic Brain Injury (brain tumor, age 5)
Classification: CP7

COACH HOFFMAN SAYS:
"Nick is one of our most recent additions. Discovered refereeing one of our club games in Virginia, he is dedicated to all aspects of the game. He brings a great work ethic to the game on both sides of the ball allowing him to become a very versatile player."

Q & A with NICK

When did you first begin playing soccer? I began playing when I was 4 years old.

How did you join the U.S. Paralympic Team? Matt Bush (a friend of Coach Hoffman) found me refereeing his U-18 Girls VA Rush Soccer Team at Capital park.

What is your most memorable moment with the team? At the February camp there was a foul and René Miramontes, an assistant coach, chose me to take the penalty kick against the local team's (the Rangers) goalie. I turned around looked at McKinney and asked him jokingly for any advice, cause I was a bit nervous. McKinney saying back, "look one way, shoot the other." With the sun in my eyes I looked to the left bottom corner, looked at the ball, and struck it into the right side of the goal. For never being the best penalty kick shooter I was pumped and with a smile on my face René yelled, "You're gonna call home and tell you mom all about that! Aren't you?" and giggling at the same time.

Who was your first soccer coach? Mike Creasey (my dad), Pocoshock Valley Youth Soccer League.

What do you feel is your strength as a player? Playing both sides of the ball.

What do you feel is your weakness as a player? Using both feet.

Which professional or international soccer player is your role model? Retired: Hristo Stoichkov (left-footed forward); Present: Will answer as soon as i find one!

What have you learned about yourself from your time with the team? There are people in the world with a similar disability who have achieved great heights.

What would you tell a young player to motivate them to play the game of soccer? Take every challenge as an opportunity and live one day at a time.

How has playing with the team positively affected your life? It has given me the opportunity to interact with a group of individuals with circumstances similar to myself and still play at a highly competitive level.

Which college are you attending, or graduated, if any? Longwood University.

What is your area of study, or which major, or degree did you obtain? Art Education major.

Since the team is not a full-time job, what do you do full-time? Referee Soccer and go to school.

What is your goal in life? What dreams do you have? What do you want to attain in life? Have a family, teach, and be an example for others with understand those with disability.

If you had enough money to do whatever you wanted to the rest of your life, what would you spend your time doing? Referee and play soccer. Live somewhere near a nice beach.

Which person has been the most influential and motivational in your life? My sister.

Who is(are) your role model(s) outside of soccer? Bill Duganne.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why? Ms. Rieser. She is a great art teacher because she is always happy, interacts with students very well, and can serve as a friend. She is also very involved in running and playing soccer.

What are some obstacles you've encountered in your life and how did you overcome them? When I was 4-5 years old I played up a level in soccer, then had a brain tumor in May of '96. I was left paralyzed on my right side and through years of occupational and physical therapy, as well as numerous botox injections, and later surgery, I regained partial motion. When 12 my brain tumor recurred and had Radioactive Stereotactic Surgery to put it into remission.

Can you share a little bit about your family? Brothers, sisters? I have one sister, Rachael, who is studying to be a physical therapist who also played competitive youth and college soccer. Mom and Dad are also pretty cool.

Of all the places you have traveled or lived, where is your favorite place? Myrtle Beach, S.C.

If you could turn back time and change one decision in your past, what would it be? I would not be in a rush and make a rash decision like the time I received a citizens arrest for passing over the double lines and getting caught on a disposable camera.

If we were casting the movie of your life, which actor would you pick to play you? ???.

If you could have one superhero power, what would it be? Teleporting.

Do you play any musical instruments? No.

If you had to choose only ten CDs to listen to for the next three years, what would they be? Country; Jason Mraz, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Michael Buble, Lil' Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, Jason Aldean, Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jimmy Buffett.

Are you artistic? Yes, I love art! I paint and draw. Sculpting from time to time is fun.

Who is your favorite artist, or favorite type of art? Do you have a favorite work of art? Shepard Fairey's Obama.

What would you tell someone so that they had a better understanding of your disability and what it means to you? I am just as smart and sometimes smarter then others but I just run/walk funny. It means the world to me and without it I wouldn't be the same as today in respect to my motivation and staying out of peer pressuring occurrences. More importantly, I DON'T define myself by my disability!

What is your favorite quotation? "If you are handed it, you can handle it!"

Of which accomplishments in your life (excluding soccer) are you most proud? I have received an honorable mention in the Bon Air Art Show; a Fine Arts Award at Monacan High School; National Art Honors Society, graduated with an Advanced Diploma; was accepted to College; worked with Richmond Chrysalis; and received Core Value Awards for Honesty and Responsibility.