Spotlight: Bencion Barrios, Men's Soccer
Our summer Bears Spotlight wraps up with Bears senior Bencion Barrios. Joining the men's soccer team last year, the versatile midfielder made an immediate impact in helping the squad to a 7-7-1 mark and their first .500 season and HVIAC Tournament berth. Barrios led the team with seven assists and added five goals in his rookie season earning AD3I First-Team All-Independent and All-HVIAC honors.
About you
Name: Bencion P. Barrios
Year: Senior
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Sport: Men's Soccer
I came to St. Joseph's because…
I wanted to finish up my degree in a smaller college setting closer to home
Your major…
Psychology
Career goals after graduation…
Well I am currently a research analyst for a market research company, so after graduation I would like to continue developing in my role and become a senior analyst and product manager.
My dream job is…
Professional soccer player
Summer plans…
Plans for the summer is to just play soccer, enjoy the beach and try to be in the best shape as possible for the upcoming season.
If you could play another sport other than your own, what would it be…
I'd have to say football; it's an exciting sport to watch and my favorite sport aside from soccer.
Being a Bear...
Story behind your jersey number…
The number 6 has been a number I have worn since my earliest days on the field, it also represents the age when I started playing club soccer.
Most memorable moment in a Bears/Lady Bears uniform…
Most memorable moment might have been my first game in a Bears uniform against The New School. I had a long layoff from college soccer due to injuries and had no idea how my body would feel or adjust to college soccer after 3 ACL surgeries, it was a success for both the team and self as we won the game 4-0 and I tallied my first assist and goal wearing the Bears uniform.
Pre-game rituals or superstitions…
I have many pre-game rituals but to name one is to enter and leave the pitch on my right foot.
My pump up song before a game is…
I don't have a particular song I would consider a pump up song, I like to take my time during my warm up and think about the opponent and what I must do to help my team and teammates achieve success.
My goal(s) for this season is/are to…
I think all athletes try to set the bar as high as possible, for my personal goals it would be to exceed my statistics from last season while achieving more awards and recognition to the Bears program. As for the team it would be a great end to my college career if we make the NCAA tournament.
Speed Round…
iPhone or Android… iPhone
LeBron, Kobe or Jordan… Jordan
Yankees or Mets… Mets
NYCFC or Red Bulls… Has to be NYCFC, great friend of mine Adam Skolnick works for the club plus they have Pirlo, Lampard and Villa!!!
Jets or Giants… no, just no
Rangers or Islanders… eh
Beach or Pool… Beach
Twitter or Facebook… Facebook
On being social media famous...
Number of…
Facebook friends: 608
Instagram followers: 305
The most likes you've received on an Instagram photo and what was the photo of?
51, it's a picture of my puppy Bale running on the beach, I got him for myself back in February he is a F1 mini golden doodle.
Follow first or follow second?
Doesn't matter
True or false? I don't post more than one Insta a day and I secretly judge people that do.
False, if I find something worth posting it goes up, doesn't matter how many times I already have earlier that day.
Your favorites…
Favorite sports team(s)…
NFL: Dallas Cowboys
Soccer: Real Madrid
NHL: Washington Capitals
Favorite professional athlete (past or present) … The original Ronaldo-R9 "El Fenómeno"
Favorite TV show… Two and a Half Men
Favorite SJC Professor… John Capela
Favorite SJC Staff member… All, every staff member I encounter has been nice and helpful
Favorite quote/motto… tough to have one favorite so here are a few that come to mind…
"Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me unstoppable" -CR7
"If you think you are perfect already then you will never be" –CR7
"It is sadder to find the past again and find it inadequate to the present than it is to have it elude you and remain forever a harmonious conception of memory." –F. Scott Fitzgerald
Final thoughts…
Anything you'd like to share with all the rest of the Bears family…
Play the game because you love it, therefore play every game as it may be your last, you never want to look back and feel like you could have given a bit more or worked a bit harder. Leave it all out there and you will never have any regrets. I think that can be applied to many aspects of life, as long as you give it your all you will be satisfied; School, Sports, Family, Love and Work.
Previous Summer Spotlights:
Michael Megafu, Men's Basketball
Lauren GaNun, Women's Volleyball, Swimming & Basketball
Nolan Parr, Men's Tennis, Soccer & Basketball
Shannon Fahy, Women's Soccer & Tennis
Nicholas LoPrinzi, Baseball
Jillian O'Hara, Women's Swimming
Norrin Martinez, Men's Volleyball
Cassandra Nasta, Women's Volleyball
Brittany Cervino, Women's Basketball
Oscar Melendez, Head Athletic Trainer
Thomas Rushin, Men's Cross Country
Thomas Kennedy, Men's Volleyball
Leticia Salazar, Women's Swimming
Luke Klimaszewski '09, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Erica Eddy, Women's Basketball & Softball
Brian Luebcke, Baseball
Tathiana Pierre, Women's Tennis