Written by Henry Voorhees
- ECGulls.com Contributor
BEVERLY, Mass. — Diego Slobotzky '16 is currently playing a leading role in the evolution of youth soccer in his native Mexico.
His goal — since being named an operations manager for the Mexico Soccer Federation in 2019 — has been to make sure the generations behind him in his country all have access to increased life-changing opportunities through the game of soccer, a game they all love.
In looking back at Slobotzky's coming-of-age story, it's clear why this has been his mission — his own life-changing opportunity almost never came to be in 2012 when he was originally denied admission to Endicott College.
"I remember the first time I applied to Endicott, they denied my application because — if I'm being honest — I was not the best student in high school, I was too focused on sports in my youth," said Slobotzky. "When I got that denial letter it was a hard hit for me, but at the same time I was still determined to go to Endicott."
Slobotzky remained relentless in his pursuit of attending Endicott by connecting with members of the admissions team who conveniently had an international operation set up in Mexico.
After a few discussions, Slobotzky was asked to write a letter of appeal. Eventually, the decision was overturned, but with a price.
Slobotzky had to truly commit to EVERYTHING if he were to attend Endicott, most importantly, his studies as well as becoming an involved member of the community.
However, that was only the first challenge Slobotzky had to overcome in the process of chasing his dream.
"Our coaching staff wasn't convinced Diego could be a successful collegiate athlete because of his lack of size and strength," men's soccer head coach Joe Calabrese admitted.
"If I recall correctly, I had a conversation with Athletic Director Brian Wylie about cutting Diego after our fifth day of preseason. With AD Wylie's guidance, we decided we would continue our evaluation of Diego until the first day of classes," Calabrese reflected.
"Thank God we decided to hold off on our decision and we offered him a roster spot. Diego eventually became one of our leaders on and off the field because of his maturity. He developed into a starting winger and forward, a first team all-conference selection, and led our program to arguably its best season ever," he said.
In his junior year (2014), Endicott won the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) DIII New England Championship.
He scored 10 goals, including three game-winners (GWG), alongside seven assists for a career-high 27 points. Those numbers resulted in his first career Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) All-Conference selection (1st team).
Overall, the Gulls went 12-7-4 overall, setting the stage for the winningest season in program history in 2015.
In his senior season, Slobotzy was named to the All-CCC Second Team behind eight goals (two GWG) and four assists for a total of 20 points.
The team won the CCC regular season conference championship, finishing 8-0-1 league play, and went 16-3-4 overall, compiling the most wins in program history along the way.
MAKING CAREER MOVES
In addition to playing soccer at Endicott, Slobotzy began to take the first steps in building a career in the sport he loves.
Slobotzky's success in the professional world began during his junior year when he worked as an intern with SJX Partners, a small sponsorship sales agency that put him in touch with such companies as Disney, Monster Truck, and PGA America.
While interning at SJX, he formed a relationship with his eventual next employer at BRC), a sports marketing company focused on the US Hispanic market.
After graduating from The Nest, he flew home to Mexico to become a scouting coordinator for BRC, where he recruited Hispanic players in the US to play in Mexico.
Not long after that, Slobotzky received an unexpected phone call from the Mexico Soccer Federation.
It's a call he'll never forget.
"December 5th, 2019," Slobotzky said emphatically when recalling the phone call.
About two weeks later (December 24, 2019), the Mexico Soccer Federation sent Slobotzky a job contract.
"Obviously for me, it was a dream job, it was working with the top authority of futbol in Mexico," the former Gull said, unable to hold back a smile of his accomplishments. "It's been my dream since I was 13 years old so I naturally took the offer and started working with them on January 7th, 2020."
Humbled by his success, Slobotzky said, "Going back, I am here because of Endicott. At the end of the day, I'm the number one fan of the internship program at Endicott. I think it's an amazing thing…When I went to Endicott and studied sport management, I got to know all the other sports and how amazing Americans are with the marketing behind sports. Some of my classes at Endicott were outstanding for me."
It seems wherever Slobotzky goes, he makes the best of his situation.
Professor of Sport Management, Dr. Katie Kilty would agree.
When asked about what she thinks made him successful, she responded, "Again I would draw on his inspirational approach to his life and his work, striving for excellence versus perfection. Dwelling in the possibility of what could be within his current realities versus settling for the status quo."
Dr. Kilty continued.
"Diego's curiosity about the world, his studies, and his vision of how he wanted to make an impact were evident from the first time we met. I remember many spirited conversations in which we shared our different perspectives, asked powerful questions, and engaged in listening to learn from one another," she said.
The admiration is clearly mutual.
"She [Dr. Kilty] opened my mind to so many opportunities that you can do in sports," Slobotzky said.
FOR HIS COUNTRY
Slobotzky, as previously mentioned, is currently an operations manager with the Mexico Soccer Federation, helping young players develop into elite athletes and even uplifting others to escape poverty.
Most importantly, he is also playing a leading role in the evolution of women's soccer in Mexico.
Previously, the Mexico Soccer Federation didn't have a U15 women's team, but Slobotzky cleverly proposed a scouting program to recruit underserved youth in the country.
The Mexico Soccer Federation accepted his proposal, largely, in part to the previous success he had as the National Tryouts Coordinator for the BRC.
Once his proposal was accepted, Slobotzky went to work, fast, traveling to 12 cities and scouting over 1,300 girls, something that had never been done at the U15 level before in Mexico.
Slobotzyk's work brought in the very best onto the national team and into the FIFA Academies program.
He has a hard time cutting girls from the team, but is extremely proud of the change he's made so quickly in Mexico.
"They've never had these opportunities before. This is the first year we got involved with the national team [at the U15 level]. We've gone to places we have never been and we've found amazing talent in places you would never imagine," said Slobotzky. "When I see the reactions of the girls and their parents when they get selected to the team and they start crying, that's why I work here."
Slobotzky also has developed an app, called Futbolimetro, which provides players with exercises to improve their game.
Futbolimetro launched in February 2020 and now has 300,000-plus downloads, with over 3,000 coaches that use the app with their players.
But, for Slobotzky it's not just about the numbers.
Most importantly, Futbolimetro is developing exercise programs that improve the health of children in Mexico, which has one of the highest obesity rates in the world.
"I've always wanted to change my country through sports and I feel like I'm accomplishing that part of my dream."
As for what's next, it's pretty clear: "to move up within the federation."
After all, he is working with his dream company trying to better his country, one day at a time.
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - Diego Slobotzky '16)
