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MIDFIELDER / FORWARD
HT: 5’10”
WT: 160
Born: 01.06.1985 in Euclid, Ohio
Hometown: Euclid, Ohio
College: Lakeland Community College
Qualifying Condition: Cerebral Palsy on the right side
Classification: CP7

COACH HOFFMAN SAYS:
"With all the new player additions, Tommy has become one of the senior players on the team. Tommy has developed a level of playing consistency demonstrated by his work ethic and being a team player. Playing wide on the left he has the ability to score goals and has a variety in his range of play."

Q & A with TOMMY

When did you first begin playing soccer? Since I was about 5 years old.

How did you join the U.S. Paralympic Team? A player of the team heard of me and contacted to me to come play.

What is your most memorable moment with the team? My most memorable moment was when the general manager of the team held a graduation ceremony for me during a tournament in Russia because I missed my graduation to go on the trip.

Who was your first soccer coach? Mr. Lynch, he was also the mayor of my city. It was a local league in Euclid, Ohio.

What do you feel is your strength as a player? Getting into open space.

What do you feel is your weakness as a player? Holding the ball.

Which professional or international soccer player is your role model? I don't have one.

What have you learned about yourself from your time with the team? That I'm very shy.

What would you tell a young player to motivate them to play the game of soccer? To learn as much you can about the game and to keep on practicing.

How has playing with the team positively affected your life? It has helped me to work together as a team.

Which college are you attending, or graduated, if any? Lakeland Community College.

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

Since the team is not a full-time job, what do you do full-time? Just a student right now. I referee soccer and I live with my family.

What is your goal in life? What dreams do you have? What do you want to attain in life? To have a good job, wife and kids.

If you had enough money to do whatever you wanted to the rest of your life, what would you spend your time doing? I would try to run a business: restaurant / hotel.

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

Who is(are) your role model(s) outside of soccer? Don't have any.

What are some obstacles you've encountered in your life and how did you overcome them? Trying to do two-handed jobs and finding ways to do them with one hand.

Can you share a little bit about your family? Brothers, sisters? I have one brother, a sister, a niece and a nephew.

Of all the places you have traveled or lived, where is your favorite place? Brazil.

If you could turn back time and change one decision in your past, what would it be? Figuring out what I wanted to do for a career sooner.

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

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

Do you play any musical instruments? No, but I tried to play the drums.

If you had to choose only ten CDs to listen to for the next three years, what would they be? Rock, pop, rap. Korn, Eminem, The Beatles, Metallica, ICP, Outkast, Black Eyed Peas.

Are you artistic? I do like to take photographs.

Who is your favorite artist, or favorite type of art? Do you have a favorite work of art? I don't have a favorite artist.

What would you tell someone so that they had a better understanding of your disability and what it means to you? I would tell them what my disability is and how it affects me. I feel that I am informing people of my disability.

What is your favorite quotation? I don't have a favorite quote.

Of which accomplishments in your life (excluding soccer) are you most proud? Being able to overcome challenges.