After a 9 year Professional Soccer Career, Luke moved to Colorado where he lives with his wife, Andrea, and their two children (Augustine and Gemma). He has not entirely stepped away from the sport he loves and is the President and Founder of the National Franchise, Mighty Kicks (which helps children develop physically and socially within the framework of soccer). Luke is thankful for the opportunity to share his faith and inspire others to live a life for Christ.
Luke is the second oldest of 11 children raised in South Shore Massachusetts. After graduating from Seton Hall University in 2004, Luke played professional soccer up until late 2012. Making the college team as a “walk on,” Luke persevered to great success on the pitch by leading Seton Hall as captain, 1st Team All Big East, and to three NCAA tournament appearances. He was drafted into Major League Soccer (MLS) his senior year and played two seasons with the New England Revolution (MLS Finals in ‘05). Vercollone was then picked up by the Charleston Battery where he played two seasons before finishing his career in Richmond, VA. He played five seasons with the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League ('09, Champions).
Luke has been blessed with the opportunity to share his faith by speaking to youth at many church events throughout his professional career. He is an active member of “Catholic Athletes for Christ” and is on their speaker’s bureau. Luke is also featured in the Family Theatre Production: “Rosary Stars.”
“My faith in Christ is the most important thing to me. This gift has helped me as an athlete, and more importantly, has enriched all areas of my life. I seek to grow closer to the Lord through my Catholic faith while being an example of Christ’s love in my profession.” – Luke Vercollone
“Thank you for your excellent talk to our confirmation class. Your words and witness planted many seeds and inspired our students to be athletes for Christ!” -- Mark Ranerie (Youth minister, Holy Family Parish)
Speaking topics:
1. "Being an Athlete for Christ" – The role of Virtue as an athlete and as a Christian.
2. "Running the Race to Win" -- The importance of goals and the Christian goal. "If you don't know where you are going you are lost; if you don't know where you are going, anywhere will do."
3. "Made for More" -- Being your best self, choosing happiness, and choosing Christ above the many distractions the world offers.
