Pasquale Giovine

For Pasquale “Pash” Giovine, two moments stand out as among the greatest in his life so far. Both are connected to FIU and both brought tears to his eyes.

The first came four years ago when he was working out with his brother in Chicago and he received an email saying he’d been accepted to FIU.

The second moment came just a couple months ago when he played his first game as goalkeeper for FIU against the University of North Florida and helped the team in a shutout game.

His parents were in town for the game and, like a scene in a movie, he took his jersey off and threw it to them.

Pasquale, who had dropped out of community college and was working as a deli manager at home, attributes the turnaround in his life to his brother’s influence.

Once Luca accepted an offer from FIU, Pasquale was determined to join him. He went back to school, got his grades up, worked nights and stayed in shape so he could play soccer too.

Pasquale, who is considered the “heart and soul” of the men’s soccer team, says he’ll have another proud moment when he joins his brother walking across the stage at commencement – the first in their family to graduate college.

By Amy Ellis,
Communications Manager, Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs