For Neil Cifuentes, there’s a lot more to working with St. Lawrence’s student athletes than merely coaching.  In addition to being assistant coach of both the men’s and women’s soccer teams, he is coordinator of student-athlete development. That means that, among many other responsibilities, he develops academic success workshops; monitors student-athlete academic performance; is program director of the NCAA "CHOICES" grant, which promotes late-night alcohol-free programming through the athletic department; and develops programming and workshops for student athletes regarding healthy lifestyles, career opportunities and personal welfare. He was one of 10 coach/administrators in the country to be selected to attend the NCAA National Leadership Conference last June.  And did we say he also coaches?

“Working here is rewarding!” he says.  “I say that because I really love this school.  I am proud of what St. Lawrence has become and is becoming since I graduated,” says the member of the Class of ’96 and of Saints’ soccer team.

“I enjoy making connections with students,” says Cifuentes of his multiple involvements.  “I learn from them. The opportunity to interact with college students every day doesn't feel like work.”

One of the people Cifuentes is coaching in soccer is not yet a college student, but his son Jake, 16 months old. He also likes to cook with his wife, Lynette, St. Lawrence’s coordinator of academic achievement; [Lynette’s office] dance and listen to a wide range music, from Flamenco to Hip Hop; eat international cuisine (Ottawa, Canada’s capital, is a little over an hour from campus); and follow the Chilean National Soccer Team.