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MIDFIELDER
HT: 6’3”
WT: 230
Born: 01.18.1979 in Princeton, W.Va.
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
College: Concord University
Qualifying Condition: Cerebral Palsy
Classification: CP7

COACH HOFFMAN SAYS:
"As the senior member and captain of the team he has taken a new role. His leadership is critical to this the next generation of players. Josh has always been the picture of consistency, playing in the midfield with both great vision, range of play and the ability to score goals. As a paralympic team member for over 15 years he has dedicated himself to the program and his team members."

Q & A with JOSH

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

How did you join the U.S. Paralympic Team? I read an article in Eurosport about the team in 1995.

What is your most memorable moment with the team? Making both the Paralympics in 1996 and 2004 also playing for a medal in 1996 in front of home crowd and family!.

Who was your first soccer coach? Bo Silvia, Hilton Head Soccer Club.

What do you feel is your strength as a player? Ball control and attacking the goal.

What do you feel is your weakness as a player? Defense.

Which professional or international soccer player is your role model? Steven Gerrard with Liverpool.

What have you learned about yourself from your time with the team? That I can do anything if I work hard at it!

What would you tell a young player to motivate them to play the game of soccer? That it is a fun game where the player gets to make the decisions.

How has playing with the team positively affected your life? It has given me opportunities that I dreamed about when I was younger, playing for a national team, and helping kids with similar disabilities.

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

What is your area of study, or which major, or degree did you obtain? Park and Recreation.

Since the team is not a full-time job, what do you do full-time? Was full-time but will go back to school at N.C. State.

What is your goal in life? What dreams do you have? What do you want to attain in life? Have a family and help other kids with disabilities.

If you had enough money to do whatever you wanted to the rest of your life, what would you spend your time doing? Start an adapted sports program and play soccer until I couldn't!

Which person has been the most influential and motivational in your life? Rick Moss, my former coach.

Who is(are) your role model(s) outside of soccer? My mom and dad.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why? Mr. Sprouse, Math.

What are some obstacles you've encountered in your life and how did you overcome them? Learning to do things with one hand and coming up with techniques to do them!

Can you share a little bit about your family? Brothers, sisters? My parents Jack and Nancy pushed me to play soccer and helped me along the way. My two brothers both played in college. Chris and Jeff spent hours in the backyard playing, they are the reason I became good at soccer.

Of all the places you have traveled or lived, where is your favorite place? Mar del Plata, Argentina. A small city right along the water. Very beautiful.

If you could turn back time and change one decision in your past, what would it be? Finishing school.

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

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

Do you play any musical instruments? A mean guitar.

If you had to choose only ten CDs to listen to for the next three years, what would they be? Oldies. Dylan, Hendrix, Beatles, Stones.

Are you artistic? Try and paint.

What would you tell someone so that they had a better understanding of your disability and what it means to you? That my muscles are smaller and tighter on my rightside. Many people aren't knowledgeable about the Paralympics and still think it's Special Olympics.

What is your favorite quotation? "Chicken ain t nothin' but a bird." - Paul Mckinney, my grandfather

Of which accomplishments in your life (excluding soccer) are you most proud? Creating the adapted program allowing kids to play sports.