Former Kennedy Soccer Star Earns Collegiate Honors

Steve Abgarian got his kicks at Kennedy, was booted up to Brockport, and scored come awards season.  And he's set other goals for himself going forward.

If you haven't guessed by now, we're talking soccer here.  It's a sport that's been a big part of Abgarian's life, and the Merrick native hopes that's the case for years to come.

After a standout career at Kennedy High School, Abgarian took his soccer skills to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and after a superb senior season, was recently named SUNY-Brockport's 2009-10 Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year.

"It's an amazing honor," Abgarian says.  "I'm just happy that the team was so successful this year and I was able to receive this award more for my team."

Abgarian helped lead the Golden Eagles to the SUNYAC Tournament championship, and to the second round of the NCAA tourney.  He led the team with 12 goals and four assists, and racked up four game-winning goals.

He racked up the honors as well.  He was a Third-Team All-American, the first men's soccer player at the school to earn such honors since 1974.  Abgarian was also a First-Team All-SUNYAC selection, and a First-Team All-Region selection.

His successful collegiate career was a continuation of his playing career at Kennedy.  Abgarian earned All-County honors his senior year, and started in the Exceptional Seniors game.  He credits his Cougar teammates, which included his older brothers Matt and Greg, for helping him become the player he is.

"Having all those kids to push me through those four years really helped prepare me for college, really got me focused on how to take steps to the next level," he says.

He also gives praise to his coach.  Peter Grossi coached Abgarian for three years at Kennedy.  In fact, he first worked with him in the eighth grade at Merrick Avenue Middle School.

"He stood out [in middle school], it was clear that there was 'star' stamped on his forehead," Grossi says of Abgarian.

Of his former coach, Abgarian says: "He always lifted you up; he was always looking out for your well-being. He was such a good coach, always wanted the best for me...he knew how to push you in the right way."

That's what Grossi says Steve needed–a push in the right direction.

"You've got an intangible that your other brothers and players here don't have," Grossi recalls telling him.  "It was the ability to not only listen and apply, but a blue collar mentality with it...that was the one thing I thought I could help him with–that blue collar approach to the game."

Abgarian hopes to take that work ethic with him as he graduates.  He's already attended tryouts for a proposed new U.S. soccer league, and took part in an Major League Soccer (MLS) combine as well.  He's recently undergone hip surgery, and should his playing days come to an end, he hopes to get involved in the coaching side back at Brockport.

Abgarian feels soccer as a whole is on the rise in the United States. With many folks still recovering from World Cup fever, he believes the sport will gain popularity, and not just every four years.

"[Fans] are realizing it's such an athletic sport, that there's much more to it than just kicking the ball," he says.  "I don't think it's just a fever type deal right now, I think it's going to grow."

And Steve Abgarian keeps hoping to grow along with it.