Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

A new men’s soccer coach was being introduced at Rutgers-Newark in 2007 and a lot of the existing members of the R-N soccer program wanted to hear nothing of the sort.

But Dan Siconolfi, one of the veteran members of the squad, was willing to hear what new coach Kevin East had to say and wanted to know more about what East was all about.

“I knew what he was able to do at New Jersey City University,” Siconolfi said of East, who arrived at R-N after building the NJCU program into an NCAA Division III nationally ranked power. “I was pretty excited when I heard he was coming here. I wanted to learn as much from Coach East as I could. In order to win, I knew that we were going to have to accept him.”

So while other former members of the Scarlet Raiders headed for the door, Siconolfi stuck around and embraced the arrival of new coach East.

“I don’t know why other people wouldn’t accept him,” Siconolfi said. “But I was happy to have him as the coach. I knew that he was going to turn the program around.”

East knew that he had a dependable soul in Siconolfi.

“I knew he was a hard worker and he was committed to the program,” East said. “I knew he was a quiet leader and a solid player.”

For most of his career at R-N, Siconolfi was a member of the defensive backline, an anchor to the defender corps.

But recently, East asked Siconolfi to step up a little – literally and figuratively.

“We asked him if he would move to the midfield,” East said. “Dan’s one of our better crossers and can serve the ball into the box to give us more scoring chances.”

Siconolfi, who said he played a little bit of midfield when he was at West Orange High School, welcomed the opportunity to move forward.

“It was a pretty big change for me, especially after being a defender for so long,” Siconolfi said. “I just had to get used to running up and down the sidelines. When you’re playing defense, you do get some time to rest now and then. But in the midfield, you’re constantly running back and forth. I just had to get in good shape to handle the running. But I can see myself getting into the offensive attack more.

Added Siconolfi, “I’d do anything to help the team. I figured it was a way for me to show my leadership to everyone else. I just like to play soccer. It didn’t matter where. I figured Coach East knows what he’s talking about and he’s moving me for the right reason. It really wasn’t difficult. If the coach tells me that he needs me as a midfielder, then I do whatever he tells me.”

East said that Siconolfi has handled the transition and the position change very well.

“He’s done a pretty good job in the midfield,” East said. “I didn’t know if he ever played there before. But he’s a solid player who has been serving good crosses and has been getting the ball to the right people. He also has a strong leg and he’s fairly accurate, so he’s more of a threat to score, either shooting or crossing the ball. But he can hit a good shot.”

East said that there was a little apprehension in moving a player like Siconolfi, who had become comfortable with his defensive position.

“Any time you move a player, you always wonder whether they’re going to be able to handle it and whether it can work out,” East said. “It’s a credit to Dan that he accepted it and ran with it. He’s done a good job with it.”

Siconolfi said that the transformation from defender to midfielder has been fairly easy, because of his workout routine.

“I regularly go to the field and we just pass the ball around with each other for hours,” Siconolfi said. “I enjoy just kicking the ball around. I think I’ve gotten better over the course of the year.”

East said that a player with Siconolfi’s unselfish approach is vital to a team’s success.

“You need guys who are determined to win, who are committed to change the culture of the entire program,” East said. “A lot of the other guys disappeared and faded away, but give Dan credit. He stuck it out and wanted to be here. He’s the first guy to show up at training and always gives it his all. He’s been on the end of some lopsided losses during his time here, but he’s also seen the changes we’ve gone through and has been nothing but a positive influence on everyone else.”

East also likes Siconolfi’s mature approach to the game.

“He’s all serious on the field,” East said. “He’s a lot more relaxed off the field, but on the field, he’s all business. He’s not quiet, but he’s not loud either. He says something when it needs to be said. He’ll step up, say what he has to and then they listen.”

East credits Siconolfi for being on board from the coach’s arrival.

“He’s definitely bought into what we’re doing,” East said. “I know he’s been trying to help the program move in a positive direction.”

Siconolfi will graduate in the spring with a degree in history. He plans on entering the world of education, with the hope of becoming a soccer coach.

“I want to someday coach, even college soccer,” Siconolfi said. “That’s why I was so excited to have Coach East come here. I wanted to learn so much from him. He’s a great guy. I just want to be around him because I’ve learned so much from him.”

Siconolfi also likes being around The Golden Dome as well. He has a part-time job working in the operations of the athletic department and is a fixture at most home sporting events.

“I can do anything they need me to do,” Siconolfi said. “I can work the clock, the scoreboard, get the referees. (Assistant athletic director in charge of facilities and operations) Mike Alvarez has me doing a little bit of everything. I don’t mind it at all.”

Now that he’s a senior and a midfielder, Siconolfi is hoping to make his last season at R-N a memorable one.

“We can still make a run and make a difference,” Siconolfi said. “I think we’re going to move forward.”

As long as Siconolfi is leading the way.