Joe Clementi '11
Head Men's Soccer Coach
What is your role and your responsibilities at Arcadia?
For my position, I currently serve as the Head Men's Soccer Coach. I primarily perform activities that help lead to successful day-to-day operations of the program. These activities include implementing strategies for our Men's Soccer team and recruiting student-athletes which allows us to obtain valuable new students that help drive the same culture and achievements our current student-athletes have already accomplished. I have been at Arcadia as a student, assistant coach, and head coach for almost 10 years, so I have a connected feeling towards the university. I'm fortunate enough that Arcadia has allowed me to lead the Men's Soccer program since it has always been a dream of mine to coach a soccer team while also assisting others in any way possible to achieve any goal they set out towards.
What do you enjoy the most about working at Arcadia? What is the best memory you have working in our athletics staff?
I love that I can be a mentor for our student-athletes and since I'm a head coach at Arcadia, it's a unique opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of our athletes. When I was a student at Arcadia, my coach was guiding, influential, and inspiring to me in many areas and I'm glad I have the opportunity to make that same impact towards other student-athletes. The camaraderie within the staff is amazing and they are all talented and diligent in what they do by providing the best overall experience to our students either on the field or in the classroom. The best memory I've experienced is definitely working here for each of the senior days I've coached. It's always a privilege to see four years of hard work culminate in a special way for our student-athletes.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside Arcadia? What are some interesting things people may not know about you?
I have plenty of hobbies and interests, but the two that are at the top of my list would have to be golf and exercising or staying fit. Something that not too many people might know about me is that I have a twin brother who also coaches a college soccer team. So if I wanted to, I could switch with him for a day and nobody would probably know it's me.
What makes Arcadia student-athletes special to you?
I believe that our students and athletes are deeply invested and involved with everything they do on a day-to-day basis. They have the ability and apply the effort by putting time into their sport, academics, community service, and other campus related activities. It's both honorable and noteworthy to watch them go about their lives in a professional manner every day.
How are you coping with the challenges that the COVID-19 has brought on, and what is one piece of advice you have for student-athletes dealing with similar challenges?
Since quarantine, it's been hard to cope with the stress and obstacles that have come my way, but I have made adjustments to my life to get used to it and get back to where I need to be. If I had to provide a piece of advice, it would be to keep things in perspective and stay positive. At some point our athletes will be able to get back to competing and doing what they love.
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Oct. 13 - Brett Mariani
Oct. 15 - Madison McKay
Oct. 20 - Erin Livingston
Oct. 22 - Kelsey Mashinski
Nov. 4 - Eli Porr
Nov. 10 - Michael Hebenstreit
Nov. 12 - Chris D'Alessandro
