Stefano Radio (CEO College Life Italia)

In aiuto dei giovani atleti italiani con borse di studio americane

Jan 25, 2016 3176 ITA ENG

Soccer is growing in the US, where generally sport has a critical role in the education of the young Americans.

As we think that this is one of the things Italy should import from the US, we're happy to talk to Stefano Radio, CEO and Co-founder of College Life Italia: a wonderful project made by Italians who now live in the US, that brings Italian (and not only) young athletes to the US through scholarship based on their sport talent.

Stefano, please tell us your story. How does a Roman end up in Kansas City?

Umberto, first of all I would like to thank you for what you and we the Italians are doing for the Italian and Italian American community in the US.

In 2012 I was finishing my bachelor degree in Finance and Business law from Università di Roma La Sapienza and I was playing soccer as a professional with the U.S. Latina team. It was mid-November of 2012 when I received a phone call from Giorgio Antongirolami, who has now become a really important person to me. Giorgio offered me a scholarship to help his soccer team. He has been the co-head coach of one of the most successful soccer programs in the country, Rockhurst University, since 2001. When I got this opportunity I didn't think twice and I decided to seize the opportunity and make this important decision for my life.

Please tell us something about your projects that involve Italy and the US

While I was doing my MBA at Rockhurst University I met Antonio Soave who has become a great friend and a wonderful mentor for me. Just a month ago, Antonio was appointed as Secretary of Commerce of the State of Kansas.

We also founded the Italian American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City. The objective of this organization is to be the point of reference for Italy in those areas where Italy looks so far away. The chamber is a means of being a bridge between Italy and here in several industries. We will facilitate the relationship between companies as well as help Americans to live the Italian experience here and in Italy. Finally, I am the co-founder of College Life Italia, the first company that helps Italian students and students/athletes to come to the US with academic and athletic scholarships.

Please tell us something about College Life Italia and your first Italian showcase that was hosted in Rome in December 2015

College Life Italia is a wonderful project. There are not many projects that can actually change people's life. College Life Italia is one of these.

We've been helping many students and student/athletes to find and obtain significant scholarships for American Universities, thanks to academic or sports merit. This is because the American system works for the good of great students and great athletes. College Life Italia helps students to identify the best option for their future.


In the first 18 months of operation we have brought 20 students with a total of $1.5 million in scholarship. We have established relationships with several American Institutions and created a standardized process that will advise the students step by step. Knowing that we are helping young people to change their life is a great feeling: a few days ago I found a full scholarship for an Italian swimmer, his mom called me at 2 am Italian time and she was crying tears of joy! I had goose bumps.


Regarding our event, we hosted the first soccer showcase in December 2015. For the first time ever, American college coaches were in Rome to recruit the best talents and offer them soccer scholarship. New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rockhurst University, UMKC, Dayton University, Midland University, University of Northeastern Ohio, Montana Sate University Billing, College of Saint Rose were of the event. The first showcase was tied with soccer but we will expand the model to different sports like Baseball, Basket, Volleyball and Tennis.


Is it just for the young Italians who live in Italy, or is it also open to the young Italian Americans?
Our services is open to the young Italian Americans as well. As a matter of fact, we are working on different projects for them. We will help them grow using the Italian method. There will be sport clinics both in the US and in Italy where young Italian Americans will be coached by Italian pro coaches and learn the Italian language and culture. Additionally, we are working with the Italian Soccer Federation to establish a coaching master for American coaches that will be able to earn an official diploma.


Which Universities do you work with, and where are them?


We work with several Universities around the US. We have built a great network with more than 5000 American coaches, athletic directors, and admission directors. All components of the staff are alumni of Rockhurst University, top 25 business school in the country. We are most thankful to the Rockhurst family for what they have done for us. In the spring season, we will have the honor to be one of the capstone projects for Rockhurst MBA students. So far, our students/athletes are in Florida (FIT, Nova Souheastern, Lynn University, Ave Maria University), West Virginia (Alberson Boraddus), Missouri (Rockurst University, UMKC, Johnson County College), Connecticut (Post University) and New York (Hartwick University). We have also established great relationships with University of Las Vegas, California State University, Bakersfield and many others.

Which are the most popular sports that can grant a scholarship with College Life Italia?


So far soccer has the biggest pie. This is because it is the most popular sport in Italy. We are bringing our first Baseball player in January. We are working with the Academy of Nettuno in a project that will give more visibility to the Italian Baseball movement. Having said that, there are many sports that allow students to grant a scholarship: basketball, baseball (men), softball (women), football (men), cross country, field hockey (women), bowling (women), golf, fencing (coeducational), lacrosse, soccer, gymnastics, rowing (women only), volleyball, beach volleyball, ice hockey, water polo, rifle (coeducational), tennis, skiing (coeducational), track and field, swimming and diving, and wrestling (men).


Soccer is growing very fast among the young Americans. Is this something that the Italian American community could profit from?


I believe that soccer is the most popular sport among young Americans and the Italian American community around the US has a great role in this. I think the key to succeed is to use the Italian coaching method as competitive advantage. We shall not forget that no nations have won more world cups then us. Pirlo and Giovinco's arrival in the Major League Soccer have changed the perception of the American Soccer Community. The creation of youth clubs with a good mix of Italian and Italian American coaches can have a great success and will bring big value to the whole soccer community.


What's the difference between the Italian soccer players and the Americans?


The Italian soccer is known for the most tactical in the world. People always say that in Italy we have at least 50 million coaches. In the US is more about the show.


I can say one thing about American players: they never give up. It can be a pick up game or the MLS CUP final they always play like it was the last game of their life. I believe that the biggest difference is that most of them didn't grow up like us, bread and soccer. This is where the big gap is.


For sure the American movement is still behind Europe in term of players, but I am sure they will fill the gap and we will help them doing it. When American people say they will be the best, they will.

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