Lenny Niedosik has been playing soccer since he was 10 years old, so it was a turning point in his life when he played his last game three weeks ago. During his four years of playing at Guilford, he learned a lot about hard work, team work, and discipline – qualities that will remain with him long after he graduates. At ten years old, Niedosik was already active on the soccer club circuit. During his pre-college years, he played on both club and high school teams.

“Normally you start with clubs in elementary school, and then in middle school you can play on both club teams and on an actual school team at the same time,” he said. “In high school, depending on the semester, you can also do both.”

Niedosik always liked sports, and was (and still is) a big Panthers fan. “My dad and I go to every home game. We’ve been going since I was in 6th grade,” he said.

After high school, despite his enthusiasm for playing soccer, Niedosik didn’t know if he would continue playing. When it came time to go to college, he picked Guilford primarily for what it had to offer outside of athletics.

While considering Guilford, Niedosik emailed Liam Behrens, Men’s Soccer Head Coach. Niedosik came to visit, and eventually decided to enroll.

Niedosik worked hard to prepare himself for the transition to college-level athletics, knowing it would be a challenge. Despite feeling prepared upon arrival, he still felt jittery.

“I was pretty nervous,” he said. “I had come by and kicked around with the guys and I was fairly smaller than them. Also, the speed of the game was a lot faster.”

Starting out, Niedosik’s position was left full back. The initial games were tough, so hard work and determination were essential.

“The first two years I only played a limited amount of games, but I worked hard during every off-season,” Niedosik said.

He started eight games his first year, but only two as a sophomore. “The starters stayed healthy sophomore year, so I did not get to play as much,” he said.

Niedosik bounced back, and last year saw some of the team’s best performances. The team made it to the ODAC semi-finals. In that season, the team beat Roanoke College for the first time ever.

This year’s season, Niedosik’s last of collegiate soccer, proved to be anticlimactic. What was to be his final game was against Emory & Henry on Oct. 25, and the game went into double-overtime.

Guilford repeatedly tried to score at the end, but the other team refused to fold. The game ended with a tie; Guilford could not advance to the playoffs without a victory.

“It was pretty rough at the final game; watching the clock was pretty hard, especially during the second overtime,” said Niedosik.

The game was the final chapter in his athletic career in college, but Niedosik has very little downtime to dwell on things.

“I’m an RA and I also work in the grounds department. I help make the campus a little more presentable. I take pride in the campus,” he said.

These good-mannered traits set Niedosik apart from others, according to Behrens.

“He was a good role model and he’s involved in student activities,” Behrens said. “It’s important that they [the players] are involved in the whole spectrum at Guilford. Lenny was not just an athlete, and I wish I had more players like him.”

In addition, his fellow teammates admire the intensity and motivation he brought to the game.

“Lenny wouldn’t let you slack off or be lazy, and he helped you to be a better player. It’s going to be hard to replace him,” said first-year Joe Rigert.

Bryce Hunsucker, another first-year, remarked on Niedosik’s ability to bring the team together.

“I think he did well; we were a very young team and it was almost like he was out there by himself sometimes. He’s a good motivator and could settle us down as well,” said Hunsucker.

Niedosik has a lot more intense work ahead for him after Guilford. He successfully completed the Officer Candidates School for the United States Marine Corp. in May, and he has more training waiting for him after graduation.

“I see it as an excellent opportunity, and a very limited amount of people get to experience it,” Niedosik said. “The benefits greatly outweigh the costs.”

The military training also positively affected the way he played on the field.

“It helped me develop a leadership style, and it helped me find out what my limits were,” he said. “Training pushes you to the breaking point and then over it.”

Niedosik brought much to the game, and while he’s moving on now, he says it will be hard to forget the time he had at Guilford.

“As a school I love the small classes and the environments, and all the different kinds of people as well. It was an incredible opportunity to play at Guilford, and I’ll never forget it.”