Lehigh University Athletics
Former soccer player making a difference in Africa
12/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Athletics, Men's Soccer
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Most refugees choose to live in protected areas in rural
Almost all of the schools in
Soccer Without Borders formed a partnership with one such school, Hope Primary, to bring soccer and art activities to the students. The success of the program was so well received, that Soccer Without Borders helped form a soccer league among five primary schools in the Ndejje area.
The league plays games once a week and awards points for fair play to encourage sportsmanship and community among players. During halftime of the games, players participate in activities and presentations that encourage healthy habits among youth.
Early this year Gucciardi set up a similar league in
Last month Gucciardi traveled to Lacor, a small village in the Gulu District of Uganda. Here he delivered a presentation on the prevention and transmission of HIV/AIDS to 35 community leaders. After the presentation, he met with leaders of Set Future F.C., a local soccer club. He provided the team with a coaching clinic and also donated several soccer balls, cones and coaching materials.
Gucciardi graduated from Lehigh in 2005, earning his degree in International Relations and Economics; he later went on to receive his master’s from Lehigh in Global Education Leadership. While at Lehigh, he was a standout on the soccer team and in the classroom, earning the scholar-athlete award his junior and senior season. His senior year he was also the team captain and was awarded with the outstanding athlete award.
Upon graduation, Gucciardi returned to his native
In his spare time, Gucciardi is also a member of the San Francisco Seals, a member of the Premiere Developmental League, of the United States Soccer League.
