Greenwich Citizen Features Article on Spezzano

1/9/2007

Greenwich Citizen Features Article on Spezzano

Bronxville, NY - Senior forward Bobby Spezzano (Greenwich, CT) was featured in his hometown newspaper, The Greenwich Citizen, back on Friday, December 29, 2006 and was written by sports writer Bobby Ciafardini.

The article is appears courtesy of The Greenwich Citizen and Sports Editor Zack Greenspon.

Springing Back to Form: Injuries Won't Derail Spezzano's Hoop Dreams

Former GHS Captain Looks to Lead Concordia to Title

By Bobby Ciafardini

Robert Spezzano has seen his share of knockdowns in life and on the hardwood. But, as it's often been said, in life and in sport, it's not a matter of how many times you fall, but how many times you pick yourself back up again.

The 21-year-old Spezzano, a Greenwich product and former boy's basketball tri-captain for GHS, has met adversity head on, continually responding with the tenacious heart of a champion. Now a senior at nearby Concordia College in Bronxville, NY, Spezzano, whose high school and college careers have been marred by injury, is healthy and determined to bring the Clippers a title. He's also got his sights on a pro career.

"I've been waiting for this moment since my freshman year in college," said Spezzano, a 6-foot-5 forward and center that graduated from GHS in 2003 and was a member of the high school's 2001-02 squad that reached deep into the FCIACS before exiting.

His basketball dreams at times have seemed so distant. Spezzano suffered a broken right wrist during practice his freshman year in high school and only played about a dozen games. The next season, injuries would keep him from basketball, but he continued to pursue his first passion, football, playing wide receiver for the perennial powerhouse Cardinals.

But in his junior year, he rededicated himself to basketball - a sport he was a natural at -only to succumb to injury yet again. Spezzano broke his right wrist for a second time, injuring himself in a game against Wilton at the end of the season. Spezzano remained sidelined for 12 weeks, nursing the broken wrist, and would have to wait again for his turn to shine.

In 2003, Spezzano started at power forward for the Cardinals, but the team finished a disappointing 7-13. The defensive minded forward still put up respectable numbers, averaging about eight points and seven rebounds his senior year. His play attracted several college scouts, but Greenwich Coach John Czarnecki, a former Concordia player himself, hoped that the hardworking Spezzano would consider the Clippers in his college plans. Concordia, an NCAA Division II school, and its coach, John Dwinell recruited Spezzano in March of that year.

"I liked the players and after my first workout, I knew I wanted to come to Concordia," said Spezzano, who's majoring in business administration. He said if his pro dreams fall short that he plans to pursue a career in marketing or sales. "I wanted to go to a college where I had a strong chance to play and coach Dwinell let me know then that I was a part of his rebuilding process."

Although things were looking up for Spezzano, earning a starting spot in Concordia's lineup his freshman year, the forward suffered another set back, this time injuring both knees. Spezzano said his knee problems resulted from training on concrete and asphalt courts in the summers. He played half-a-season and hoped to return his sophomore year, but was forced to redshirt, losing time to surgeries on both knees. His left knee was operated on in September and his right was surgically repaired in November 2004.

Last season, Spezzano rebounded and so did the Clippers, winning the school's first-ever playoff game. Concordia went 10-18 overall, but finished 9-11 in the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Clippers reached the NYCAC semifinals before bowing out to Adelphi.

Spezzano credits Czarnecki, Dwinell and former Concordia star forward Brian Antonelli, a player he used to play behind, for mentoring him through tough times. Spezzano, a product of a single parent household, grew up without a father figure, but believes the guidance of those mentioned, coupled with the loving support of his mother, Wendy, grandmother, Maryann, and younger brother, Jordan, have him on the right track in life.

"It's been a tough road," said Spezzano, who grew up playing in the Greenwich Basketball Association and participated in various area basketball camps in his youth, including a John Starks and Doc Rivers camp in Stamford. "There have been times when I wanted to quit, because I thought the surgeries didn't work on my knees, but when you get out on the court, you realize how much you love the game."

One of Spezzano's favorite hobbies is weight lifting and he says that it has helped him prepare both mentally and physically to overcome injuries and the rigors of a long season. "I think injuries held me back, but I'm here now doing the best I can with the opportunities that I have," he said.

Spezzano's positive attitude has always endeared him to coaches and teammates. "Bobby always has a smile on his face," said Czarnecki, who coached Spezzano on the freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams at GHS, progressing up the coaching ranks with Spezzano's grade. "He has a fantastic personality and it's has helped him overcome adversity. A lot of kids would get turned off by the sport when they face those kinds of injuries, but Bobby just keeping working harder."

Added Dwinell: "Bobby is the epitome of work ethic. He's been in the program for four years and his work ethic can be seen not only on the court, but in the weight room. He has accepted a role in the post, even though he's an undersized forward and center. But his work ethic and strength have allowed him to guard guys that are 6-foot-7, 6-foot-8, and I love that about his game. Bobby has been very patient with his injuries and taken the initiative in getting himself ready to play."

This season, after graduating seven seniors, Concordia is 3-5 overall and 2-2 in its new conference, the East Coast Athletic Conference. In over 30 minutes of action, Spezzano's averages of four points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks may not seem daunting, but coaches and teammates say his presence on the floor is undeniable, and that he has an ability to adjust his game to any given situation.

On Dec. 9, Spezzano helped Concordia clip Pace 109-96 in overtime with an eight point and four block performance.

"I owe a lot to Greenwich High School and Concordia," said Spezzano, who also teaches and referees youth sports in his spare time. "They've played a major role in my life."

It's not surprising that Spezzano's favorite NBA player is Allen Iverson; a diminutive point guard that always seems to get the better of what one would assume are bigger, stronger opponents.

But Spezzano's mother said the opposition continues to overlook one important factor. "They underestimate the size of my son's heart," she said, adding that she has saved every pair of his basketball sneakers in boxes since he was a baby. "I always knew he had it in him."