New London, CT – This summer, we sat down Cadet 1/c Steven Danseglio one of three 2013 Team Captains selected at the United States Coast Guard Academy. Danseglio had an outstanding 2012 campaign – increasing his offensive output almost five-fold from 2011 and leading the PCLL in goals with 44. In addition to coming in third in the PCLL in points with 54, Danseglio was a menace at the faceoff x and second in the league in ground balls. Thanks to these statistics, Danseglio was chosen to the 2012 All-PCLL Second Team.
Year in School: Senior (Cadet 1/c)
Age: 21
Hometown: Islip Terrace, NY
Major: Marine Environmental Science
Sport: Lacrosse
20 QUESTIONS
1. Why did you choose to come to the Coast Guard Academy: I was introduced to the Coast Guard Academy by a guidance counselor who thought it was a good fit for me. I went to AIM, did my research and realized that the Coast Guard Academy was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.
NOTE: AIM is Academy Introduction Mission - a one-week summer program in July after junior year in high school – for more information on AIM: http://www.uscga.edu/admissions2.aspx?id=88
2. Plans after graduation: Get assigned to a 225-foot or Juniper-Class Seagoing Buoy Tender. Although they were designed primarily to service aids to navigation, the Juniper-class buoy tenders conduct almost as much law enforcement as Aids To Navigation (ATON) work; they are also outfitted to handle oil spill recovery, search and rescue, homeland security and some ice breaking operations. That’s the great part – there is a job waiting for me – no job searches, no job interviews, no student loans.
3. Favorite summer experience so far: Spending six weeks sailing on the Coast Guard Cutter SPAR (a 225-foot or Juniper-Class Seagoing Buoy Tender) home-ported in Kodiak, Alaska. I had my own “Deadliest Catch” and “Coast Guard Alaska” adventures in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea – they just weren’t on TV.
4. What other CGA sports/activities are you involved in: This fall will be busy - in addition to lacrosse fall ball, I will participate in Inter-Company Football and fulfill the duties of Delta Company Executive Officer (XO – second in command).
5. What keeps you motivated each day: Knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of others and that I can get better every single day with effort.
6. What are your goals for the upcoming season: To win the Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League (PCLL) Championship and get the freshmen ready to fill the shoes of the Class of 2013 to carry on the winning tradition of Coast Guard Academy Men’s Lacrosse program.
7. Personal high point in the CGA athletic program so far: Scoring the game tying goal against Palm Beach Atlantic University on Spring Break in Jupiter, FL – it was the closest game I've ever played in. We were down 12-8 with less than 10 minutes to play and we worked hard to come back and win 15-14 in regulation.
8. What is your favorite activity apart from sports: Relaxing on the beach.
9. Any Pregame Ritual: Listening to Billy Joel and "You're the Best Around" by Joe Esposito.
10. Funniest Teammate: Cadet 2/c Treston Taylor, Midfielder, the Pride of Fort Worth, TX.
11. Favorite movie: Blade II
12. Favorite song: Moving Out - Billy Joel
13. Favorite TV Show: River Monsters
14. Favorite Food: Mom's pasta and sauce.
15. Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys
16. Favorite Athlete: Troy Aikman
17. Place you want to travel someday: Italy
18. Personal Hero: Father
19. Any Pets: Cat named Gizmo
20. Advice that you would give to prospective cadets: Never do anything alone. Being an individual will ruin you. Never be afraid to learn and attack every duty with the utmost tenacity.
Special Note: Steven’s brother Greg Danseglio won a Gold Medal this week as a member of the 2012 United States U-19 Team at the U-19 Lacrosse World Championships in Finland.
For additional information – check out: www.coastguardlax.vicid.net
As the smallest of the five U.S. service academies, the Coast Guard Academy offers the elite higher education, rigorous professional development, and honor and tradition of a military academy but with a more personalized approach.
The CGA offers an integrated life experience which emphasizes academics, physical fitness, character and leadership, in order to graduate officers of the highest caliber. Graduates go directly to positions of leadership in "The Shield of Freedom," one of the most admired organizations in the world. The Academy also features an impressive teacher-student ratio and picturesque waterfront campus that instills a traditional small college feel.
Cadets devote themselves to an honor concept and graduate to work at sea, on land, in the air, and even in space, in meaningful careers of selfless service to others.