CLASS OF 2012
Stephen Coxon, Gary Cronin, Anthony Lepore, Carlos Parra, Vanessa Pruzinsky Peterson, Jack Testani
January 28, 2012
Stephen Coxon
Coxon came to Connecticut and played for the Central Connecticut Blue Devils soccer team. He was an All-New England striker at CCSA (1988 & 1989) and a New England College ‘All Star Bowl’ Selection (1989). Stepehn then played professionally for CT Wolves of USISL (1993-99). He also was an assistant coach at University of New Haven (1997-1999) and head coach of Farmington H.S. girls (2000-2006). He led Farmington to 108-9-8 record and won 2 state championships (2003 & 2005). He was the Girls High School Coach of the Year (2004) and CJSA Coach of the Year (2003). Coxon is the co-founder of Connecticut Football Club ‘CFC’ – one of the largest youth organizations in the state and Co-owner CFC Arena. Additionally, he was the founder of youth soccer information and recruiting service website, Soccerhead.com and President of the Professional Developmental League team CFC Azul (2011).
Gary Cronin
Cronin was a standout player at Sheehan High School and a Connecticut All-State Player (1984-86). He earned the All U. S. Army Team MVP award (1986). Gary went to Southern Connecticut State University and twice won the NCAA Division II National Championship (1987 & 1990). His Owl's team also reached the NCAA Final Four in 1988. During his time at SCSU, Cronin was the 1987 Final Four Defensive MVP, a 1990 Co-Captain, All NECC (1988-1990), Connecticut College Player of the Year (1990) & 1990 Senior Bowl selection. He played for US National Amateur Team (1991), professionally for CT Wolves and Boston Storm of USISL (1994-1997). Cronin is also a USSF licensed coach.
Anthony Lepore
Anthony was a Farmington HS Varsity Player (1982-1985) who earned All-State (1983 & 1984) and was Class M State Champion (1982) and Team Captain (1985). He was a standout player at Keene State College Player (1986-1990) and went on to play D3 USL soccer for Cape Cod Crusaders & NH Phantoms. Lepore was the State Director of Coaching for New Hampshire (1996-98). He then became a U.S. Soccer Federation Youth National Team Coach (currently coaching U15 team, 2000 – present) and USSF Director of Youth National Teams Scouting and Development Academy Technical Advisor (2008 – present).
Carlos Parra
Carlos was a two-time Parade All-American at Hamden Hall Country Day School (1994 & 95) and NSCAA All American (1995) where he led his team to four New England Prep School Championships (1992-1995). Parra was a U.S. U18, U20 and U23 National Team member (1995-2000) and competed in 1997 World Youth Championship in Malaysia as member of US U20 team. He played professionally in Major League Soccer (1997-2000) for the New England Revolution (1997), NY Metrostars/Miami Fusion (1998), Miami Fusion/NE Revolution (1999), and NE Revolution (2000). He was the first player to sign a Project-40 contract with US Soccer (1998) and was captain of the Pro-40 Select team in A-League (1998).
Vanessa Pruzinsky Peterson
Vanessa was a 3-time state champion at Trumbull High School, leading her teams to a 65-8-3 record during that time (1996-98). She scored 79 goals and 59 assists at Trumbull HS and earned NSCAA Youth All-American (1997 & 1998) and NSCAA National HS Player of the Year (1998). At Notre Dame, Pruzinsky Peterson was an NCAA Div I finalist (1999) and semifinalist (2000). She earned Big East Rookie of the Year (1999), 1st Team All Big East (2001), and was University of Notre Dame team captain (2002 & 2003). Vanessa was also first team Academic All American three times (2002, 2001 & 2003) and Women’s Soccer Academic All-American of the Year (2003). During her time at Notre Dame, the team recorded an overall record of 82-12-4.
Jack Testani
Jack was a Connecticut Soccer League (CSL) player with Bridgeport Italians and Waterbury Zimmitti (1971-1983) before becoming an outstanding men's amateur soccer administrator in Connecticut. He was the Connecticut Soccer League Scheduling Secretary & Registrar (1986-2001), CSL President, (2002-present), Connecticut State Soccer Association Vice President, (2008-present), Manager & Assistant Coach of the CT State Select Team who were 2010 Donnelly Cup Champions (Top amateur state team in nation). Testani also held numerous coaching positions including Naugatuck HS (1990-94), Nutmeg State Games (1994-98), and CSL (1998-2005).
Max Zieky
Max was a Glastonbury HS All-American and Connecticut Gatorade State Player of the Year, (1996). He played at the University of Connecticut where he was a two-time UConn team captain (1999 & 2000). During his time at UConn, the Huskies won the NCAA Division I National Championship (2000) and were NCAA Division I Semifinalists (1999). Zieky earned the Eric S. Lund Memorial Award (1998), Joseph J. Morrone Award (1999), NCAA College Cup All Tournament Team (2000), UConn Dr. John Y. Squires Award (2000), UConn Club Outstanding Senior Athlete (2000) and played in the Division I Senior All Star Game (2000).