Australian players make impact at SCCC

NEWTON — For three Australians, Sussex County Community College was the perfect choice to continue their education.

There were a few factors that brought SCCC soccer players Josh Gates, Kirk Stanwix and Carmine Caruso to Northwest New Jersey, and as it turned out, it was a decision that they all agreed was the right one for them.

While all three played for soccer clubs in Australia, initially it was Gates and Caruso who applied to a service that helps student-athletes from overseas find a college in the United States.

After Gates committed to SCCC, Stanwix, his childhood friend, reached out as well.

SCCC soccer coach Frank Vernaccio and his assistant Auggie Casas liked what they saw on video and reached out to the Aussies.

It was a good decision for all three players and the college. This fall, the three Australians will move on to four-year colleges after graduation in May. Each student has received their own partial scholarship offers and will continue their soccer careers and education.

"Different characteristics for each player is what really landed them here at Sussex," said Vernacchio. "When Auggie and I recruit we look at different things each player can bring to the table, that can unite a team. For the three Aussies, we saw speed, leadership, skill and confidence. Those were the four things that really stuck out in our head when we watched their video."

The recruiting process continued with phone calls and emails.

Vernacchio was impressed.
"I was confident that they would be the players that I saw in the video," he said. "When they got here they really needed a little bit of time to adapt and get used to the new system, culture, and atmosphere in general. Once they did they really started to do well. After their first season you could see how much more they wanted to improve. There efforts in the off-season were exactly what every coach wants to see. They grew as players but more importantly they grew as young men. They developed into strong individuals who really helped our team succeed this past fall."

Gates, a goalie, noted that "getting a degree foremost was key although" and obviously “playing soccer was important too. The cost was right and the location as we wanted to be close to New York City. We also liked Coach Frank and his vision for the college."

Gates, a GSAC 1st Team choice and All Region 19 Second Team, is committed to West Texas A&M after graduation. He is looking to get a degree in exercise science.

"The sport here is treated more like something professional rather than a club team [at home] environment," Gates said. "I feel like we had a taste of being a pro from the off-season work and the importance of being an academic student first."

Caruso, a forward and left wing who is still deciding between Colorado State University, Pueblo or Anderson University, said that "coming to Sussex County Community College has undoubtedly been a wonderful and life-changing experience for me. It's been a giant step of progression in all aspects of my life. It's been amazing to come into the Sussex soccer team and be welcomed instantly like a family member, and I believe this bond that the team developed had a significant impact on the great success we had and the great success I've had also."

Stanwix, a center-back, said that "soccer is a lifestyle here. I got a really good vibe when we first talked to Frank. The more I heard the more I was sold on the program. There is more room to progress as an athlete and be academic."

Stanwix will attend Texas in the fall to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

"Looking at how all three improved in two years here has me believing they will excel at the next level," Vernaccio said. "They always want to improve and are not satisfied with where they are. When you have those qualities in a player, they have the capability of doing anything they want. I will miss having them here at Sussex but I am grateful for having the opportunity to have coached them and for what they did for this program."

For more information about SCCC visit www.sussex.edu.