Learning the hard lessons

Luke Vercollone learned a great deal while growing up in Pembroke, Mass., as one of 11 siblings.

He learned independence. He learned responsibility. And he learned how to compete.

"There were six boys [in the household], and boys being boys, somebody was usually giving somebody a hard time," said Vercollone, the Richmond Kickers' veteran midfielder. "You definitely developed a sense of competitiveness. It was chaotic and hectic but it was also fun and exciting. There was always somebody to play with." Then something in his memory made him chuckle. "Or somebody to fight with."

Vercollone, 27, said the experience of growing up in a full house "played a significant role and had a significant impact on who I am today. For me, that's what I was used to -- so to me it seemed completely normal. It wasn't until later that I looked around and realized that what was normal for us wasn't necessarily normal for everyone."

He said uniqueness wasn't overwhelmed by the home's imposing logistics. Just the opposite, in fact. "Actually, I think it might have made each of us a little bit more independent and self-sufficient. You learned pretty quickly how to fend for yourself."

But individuality wasn't accompanied -- at least, not in this case -- by a license to be self-absorbed. Vercollone, the second-oldest child, said "there were always little ones around when I was growing up. I was older, so I guess it was natural that they looked up to me. That was something I took very seriously. I always tried to set a good example and be a good role model for them."

Tried and succeeded. Vercollone, a standout soccer player and wrestler at Silver Lake High School, joined the soccer program at Seton Hall University as a freshman walk-on in 2001. He finished his senior year as a Pirates captain and a first-team all-Big East performer. He has since played five seasons as a pro, including two with the New England Revolution of MLS.

But his performance as a role model isn't limited to athletics. Vercollone, raised in a proudly Catholic home, is as serious about his religion as he is about his sport. More so, perhaps. He uses powerful words -- "deep joy" and "contentment" and "fulfillment," among others -- to describe the role his faith plays in his life.

Nor is he content to merely talk the talk. Vercollone is one of 21 Catholic celebrities, most from the sports and entertainment arenas, who appear in "Rosary Stars." a devotional DVD released earlier this year by Family Theater Productions. Also featured: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jeff Suppan and former Miss USA Ali Landry.

Vercollone said he sees no conflict between the laws of his church and those of his sport. Nowhere is it written, he said, that a God-fearing individual cannot be a "tough and intense" competitor on a soccer field.

He pointed to the Charlotte Eagles, the Kickers' opponent in tonight's 7:00 USL-2 match at UR Stadium. The Eagles are owned and operated by Missionary Athletes International, an Evangelical Christian organization.

"And believe me," Vercollone said. "Those guys will hit you as hard as anybody in this league."