Nova Southeastern Athletics would like to recognize former men's soccer player Rafael Ferreiro as its October 2019 GEICO Alumni of the Month.
A 2002 graduate in Business Administration and International Business, Ferreiro has taken his talents to the coaching world and is currently the head coach at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale.
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On the pitch for what was then the Knights, prior to Nova Southeastern's transition to NCAA Division II, Ferreiro was an All-America honorable mention at forward in 2000 during his junior season, as well as first-team All-Region and All-Florida Sun Conference. That season, Ferreiro led the team and FSC in assists. He also nabbed All-America honorable mention with All-Region and All-FSCÂ honors in his sophomore season after transferring from FIU. He rounded out his NSU career as the Knights' Co-MVP in 2001.
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During his playing days, the Knights won consecutive Florida Sun Conference and NAIA Region XIV Championships in 1999 and 2000.
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"The life of a student-athlete is not easy, it takes a lot of hard work and discipline, but it is rewarding," Ferreiro told NSUSharks.com. "Being an NSU student-athlete the university helped me prepare to excel in corporate America, as well as in my personal life, by teaching me many valuable skills – how to multi-task, being both a student and an athlete, as well as how important commitment, teamwork and time management is in today's world. Some of my most fond memories in soccer is helping NSU win back-to-back Conference/Regional Championship titles."
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Even 18 years after his career, Ferreiro still has his mark in the NSU records, while also tying for sixth in career assists (22), tying for seventh for career goals (27), game-winning goals (6) and career points (76).
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After concluding his collegiate career with the Knights, Ferreiro extended his playing career overseas with Racing Club de Ferrol of Spain's Second Division for two years and remaining in Spain with Naron FC (Second B Division). He returned to the western hemisphere for a short stint in Uruguay with First Division club Sportivo Cerrito.
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Now deeply embedded into the coaching world of South Florida. In addition to his Cardinal Gibbons role, Ferreiro is in his 15th year as owner/director of Pure Futbol Soccer Academy, developing players from youth to NCAA Division I. He is also the head coach of Miami Dade FC, leading the semi-pro American Premier Soccer League club to consecutive undefeated league championships in 2016 and 2017. He previously was on the staff at Sunshine State Conference foe Barry for four years. His alma mater, Ferreiro was inducted into the Cardinal Gibbons Hall of Fame in 2014.
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At Cardinal Gibbons, Ferreiro's squads have won five District championships with 12 appearances over the past 14 years under his leadership, making six Regional appearances and aiding Ferreiro to twice be named BCAA All-Star Coach.
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Ferreiro was married on September 19, 2019 to Danielle Rose Fulayter and has a four-year-old son, Aiden Louis Ferreiro.
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