NEW HAVEN, Conn. - EJ Gonzalez (Cheshire, Conn.) of the Albertus Magnus College men's soccer team was named a finalist for the 2024-25 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the Year for men's sports.
The award recognizes graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
Gonzalez, who wrapped up his collegiate career at Albertus during the 2024-25 academic year graduated with a 3.94 GPA in psychology, while earning spots on both the GNAC All-Academic Team and the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team during his senior year. Gonzalez has both been named to the CSC Academic All-District Team and the GNAC All-Academic Team three times in his career.
On the field, he was named to the All-GNAC second team this season for the second time in his career. He was also named to the GNAC All-Rookie Team in 2021.
Gonzalez, a defender, played and started in 70 games in his Albertus career with four goals, including two this past season.
Personal Statement
"I firmly believe in the connection of the mind, body, and spirit and during my time at Albertus Magnus college being a scholar, athlete, and team leader, has allowed me to live by this belief. I developed my mind as a scholar, my body as an athlete, and my spirit as a leader and role model. These three roles have each contributed uniquely to my personal growth, but together they have helped me develop a strong foundation of discipline, empathy, resilience, and purpose. My experiences while at Albertus will continue to influence how I strive to make a meaningful impact in the world.
As a soccer player and multi-year team captain at Albertus Magnus College, I have learned how to balance academic achievement, leadership responsibilities, and physical endurance in ways that not only elevate my own potential but also inspire those around me.
As a scholar, I have cultivated a mindset of lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity. At Albertus I was selected to participate in a course called "Aquinas Scholars" and conduct a year long research project. This project had a profound impact on me as it pushed me past my intellectual limit and challenged me to think critically and engage with complex problems from multiple perspectives. Furthemore, I learned that the pursuit of knowledge is not only for personal gain but also for contributing to the greater good. This academic mindset instilled into me during the course but also by Albertus faculty motivates me to stay informed, compassionate, and driven to contribute positively in whatever environment I'm in.
Leadership has been a transformative experience in my life, especially during my time as team captain for the Albertus Magnus men's soccer team. Being a leader is not about holding a title, rather, it's about setting an example through action, supporting others, and helping a team grow collectively. As my good friend Declan told me after my final game at Albertus,"it's not about whether you win or lose a championship, it's about how you leave the program, and you EJ have left this program in a much better spot then when you first arrived." This advice has resonated with me as Declan's words capture the essence of captaincy. My leadership experience will continue to influence the way I approach every challenge that arises in life and will help me lead with integrity and to help others reach their full potential.
In uniting my academic pursuits, and athletic discipline, leadership experience, I've further developed a holistic approach to life, one where mind, body, and spirit are all engaged in the mission to uplift others. Whether mentoring a teammate, excelling in my studies, or simply leading by example, I strive to leave a positive imprint on everyone I meet. These roles have not only shaped who I am, but they have also shown me how to serve the world with purpose, passion, and heart. Thank you to Albertus Magnus College and all those who were a part of my journey!"
