by Kristina H. Reardon ’08

Walking off the field after the Friars’ last soccer game of the 2004 season, Joseph Weill ’07 (Merrick, N.Y.) had no way of knowing that, one year later, his goal would provide the momentum that would carry PC to its second-ever NCAA Tournament bid.

“He started our run for the NCAA championship,” said Head Coach Chaka Daley ’96 & ’05G of the midfielder.

Last November 1, Weill tallied his first collegiate goal—and the first of two goals PC scored during its BIG EAST Tournament game against Cincinnati—to spark the team to a win and an eventual berth in the NCAAs. The Friars went on to post their first NCAA win in program history and finished with a 7–4–9 record after going winless in 2004.

“A lot of people would have packed it in after the season we had before,” said Weill.

Though he is anxious to build upon the success of last year, Weill said he would approach the 2006 season with the same goals and attitude he has brought to every game of his Friar career. 

“He came in wanting to win a national championship,” Daley remembered. “Is that realistic? You never know. But he is extremely optimistic, enthusiastic, and energetic. His personality is contagious, which allows our team spirit to flourish. Now, as tri-captain, we look to him for more leadership than ever.”

Indeed, Weill has been a role model for his teammates, starting all 20 games in 2005 and playing in every game in his first three seasons.

“He’s not necessarily the player that will get all the accolades,” said Daley. “But, he’s a solid, consistent player. He’s kind of the lifeline of the group.”

As part of being that “lifeline,” Weill regularly demonstrates his ability to balance soccer practices and games with school work, said Daley. A political science major, he recorded a cumulative GPA of 3.22 through his first three years of college.

“Being a student-athlete sometimes means that things are a bit hectic,” Weill admitted. “However, soccer and classes create a very structured day. There is very little downtime, so it is not as easy to lose focus on what you have to do as both a student and an athlete.”

“Joe balances academics and athletics quite well,” Daley said. “He’s an extremely intelligent young man. He never seems to be distracted, as some student-athletes are.”

Though he hopes to pursue graduate studies after he earns his undergraduate degree, Weill said he also wants to pursue a career in soccer—either playing or coaching.

Said Daley: “If he stays here at Providence [for graduate studies], we’d love to have him as an assistant/volunteer coach … and after that, the sky’s the limit. I think he’s definitely got an opportunity to make it happen at the next level.”