Friday, June 8, 2018

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. Collectively, it is these individuals who make the GNAC one of the top NCAA Division II athletic conferences in the nation.

Name: Stephen Cavallo
Sport: Women’s Soccer
School: Montana State Billings
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Colleges Attended & Degree(s): Warren Wilson College, Frostburg State University (Undergraduate, Geography)

Why Did You Become A Coach: Coaching is a job that gives you an opportunity to make someone else's life better every day. I wanted to enter a profession that could combine my love for the game of soccer and my love for helping others. Coaching gave me that platform.

Who Has Influenced You The Most As A Coach - Either As An Inspiration, A Mentor, Or Philosophically: My parents. From a young age they instilled in me the desire of helping and serving others. Life is always more fulfilling when you wake up and think about what you can give over what you can get.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome As A Coach: Being a young coach trying to get my foot in the door. Convincing others that a lack of experience does not mean a lack of knowledge.

What Does Division II Mean To You: Division II means the perfect balance. Working with student-athletes who are highly driven in athletics but also see the future of their lives outside of their respective sports.

Extracurricular Activities: I love learning about people, places, things! I'm obsessed with maps and flags.

Best Advice You Would Give To Student-Athletes: Nothing great in life was ever accomplished without enthusiasm. Find what you are passionate about and let your ambition carry you!

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why): Jim Valvano, former coach of the NC State men's basketball team. I love everything Coach Valvano stood for as a man. The way he cared for his players, the way he visualized success before it occurred and the strength he showed during his fight with cancer.

Favorite Sports Team: DC United, AJ Auxerre, Arsenal, Golden State Warriors, Washington Redskins

Favorite Athlete: Stephen Curry. He is the ultimate underdog story who achieved greatness through a positive attitude and an incredible work ethic.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Team USA beating Portugal 3-2 in the 2002 World Cup and in 2008 when the Davidson Wildcats had an improbable run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.