From Milan to New Haven: Consiglio Conquers the Field

Consiglio first touched a soccer ball when he was four years old. He explained, “In Italy, every little kid grows up playing soccer. The first gift is a ball.” His friends, family, and classmates all played during free periods, after school, or on the weekends. He not only played soccer for fun with his friends, but also for an Under-21 team in Milan. Consiglio said, “As an 18-year-old on a team with grown men, playing in the worst part of the city, I always had to stick up for myself.”

Consiglio served as the assistant captain on his U-21 team, voted on by his teammates and coach because of his “leadership skills, ability to speak up in the locker room, and self-accountability.” Consiglio has drawn on his experience as an assistant captain in Milan in becoming one of the leaders of the Hopkins Boys soccer team. Coach Josh Brant said, “Jack has integrated extremely well with his teammates. He is charismatic and made friends easily. With his big personality and smile, he makes it hard not to want to be around him.” Consiglio takes his role as an older player seriously: “Being the younger player on my U-21 team in Milan was difficult, and the older guys took me under their wing. Now, being the oldest on the team at Hopkins, I take the underclassmen under my wing.”

Consiglio’s leadership and work ethic set him apart on and off the field. Coach Joe Addison explained: “Jack is a physically imposing target player. He can hold up the ball and bring his teammates into the play. He is also an exceptional finisher in the box. If you give him a sight of goal, he will make sure it goes into the back of the net.” Teammate and captain Luca Richo ’20 said, “Even though he hasn’t been at Hopkins for a while, we have developed such a close relationship that I was not expecting. He is passionate, funny, and a good friend.” Consiglio’s fiery attitude, work ethic, and skill set instills confidence in his players and coaches.

This season, Consiglio and the Hopkins Boys Varsity Soccer team, hope to win the FAA championship for the third year in a row. Teammate Teddy Glover ’21 explained: “Jack’s strength and size gives us a good target man going forward if we want to 3-PEAT.” Next year, Consiglio would like to play Division I soccer, but he is unsure if the sport will be his main focus. He advises anyone to “Grab a ball, two backpacks, and play with your friends. Soccer is very accessible and a super fun game.”