Know Your Neighbor: Patrick Magliocchino, Student-Athlete, Thornwood
Patrick Magliocchino has been playing lacrosse since third grade but one of his most memorable experiences in his years playing the sport occurred earlier this summer.
Magliocchino, who is entering his senior year at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, was a member of the first-ever U19 Irish national lacrosse team at the Men’s World Championships in Coquitam, B.C. near Vancouver.
The squad placed seventh in the 14-team tournament that was contested over 10 days in early July, an impressive feat for a country making its debut in the competition. Teams from the world’s lacrosse powerhouses – the U.S., Canada, Australia and Iroquois Nation – have been fixtures for decades in the tournament’s blue group, which are the elite teams.
“Our goal after the tournament started, and we had a lot of talent, is finish fifth, because if you finish fifth then you’re in the blue group (for the next tournament),” Magliocchino said.
Going up against some of the top lacrosse players in the world between 16 and 19 years old, the 5-foot-10 attacker amassed 17 goals and 15 assists.
If you’re wondering what a 16-year-old kid from Thornwood with a name like Magliocchino was doing on an Irish national team, his mother Maureen explained that since her father was born in Ireland and she holds an Irish passport he was eligible to compete. In fact, about half of the 23-player roster featured American-born players.
Magliocchino said there were style differences between high school games at Stepinac and how the team played. In high school, it’s more of a transition game while the Irish team emphasized possession.
Regardless of the relative strengths of the teams in the tournament, there were strong players from everywhere, he said.
“A lot of the Irish kids actually played lacrosse in America,” Magliocchino said. “Our captain lived in Ireland until he was nine. He went to college here. He’s as good a player as you’ll find in the U.S.”
The chance to play in the tournament, which is held every four years, initially arose at about the time of a family trip to Ireland two summers ago. Magliocchino learned that tryouts would be held in Ireland in early summer 2015, so he returned last year.
At about the time he was ready to start his junior year at Stepinac, Magliocchino made the team. As happy as he was for the opportunity, his mother may have been more excited. Patrick would be around top players, but he would also get a chance to learn a little bit more about his heritage – at least on his mother’s side.
“I just want more Irish in him,” Maureen said. “Now he understands the brogue and the laugh and the humor.”
While lacrosse has been a big part of Magliocchino’s life – from the time he arrived at Stepinac as a freshman he immediately started on varsity – academics are his priority.
After graduating from Westlake Middle School, he continued a family tradition of going to Catholic high school. It may have seemed challenging at the start, but Magliocchino has excelled. Through his junior year, Patrick maintains a 3.9 GPA and has been consistently enrolled in AP and honors classes. He has also participated in his school’s science research program, having commuted to Sloan Kettering in Manhattan to do his work. One career option is science or medicine.
The school schedule is rigorous, especially during lacrosse season, but the coaching staff and faculty help students juggle their studies and their sports.
“Our coaches are really good helping out with school,” said Magliocchino, whose younger brother will be a freshman this year. “If you need to take off a practice you can. I do a lot of studying in school so I know what I’m doing before I get in class. I’m kind of good at staying on top of things and staying on my feet.”
Later in the upcoming school year Magliocchino will make his decision on where he will attend college. While he is being recruited by some Division I schools, playing collegiate lacrosse is secondary. His mother said that he recently approached told her that he first wants to find a spot where he’ll be comfortable.
“He wants to find the right place for him, and if he plays club or is a walk-on, that’s okay,” Maureen said. “He’s got good grades, he’s National Merit Recognition level. He did great on his SATs, he’s got a good GPA, so he has a lot more choices than the average athlete.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/