Nick Kropelin '07

Nicholas Kropelin ‘07

Soccer Operations Coordinator

New England Revolution

I manage the New England Revolution's (Major League Soccer) travel, event scheduling and administrative issues, and work closely with the coaching staff and players in the day-to-day operation of the team. I also oversee field-level game day operations (Gillette Stadium), including management of game and league officials, visiting teams and game day volunteers. I also assist with the team's community involvement, helping arrange new partnerships with charitable organizations.

Having the opportunity to learn from real life experiences of the New England College faculty made a huge difference for me academically. I really got to know the professors and develop relationships with them that helped kick start my education. I was forced outside of my comfort zone in many situations which helped me in public speaking, presentations, and networking once I graduated. The faculty is amazing in itself, with professors in every major who really know their subject, and can speak on real world experience that helps you actually learn from situations and settings that occur. Having the opportunity to meet and listen to NEC alumni forced me to do work above and beyond what I had done previously.  This truly helped me exceed expectations.

New England College is located in a small town setting.  This helped me develop relationship building skills, and with smaller class sizes the attention you receive from the faculty is second to none. You can't hide at NEC and just get by, you have to actually grow and learn. You get to know everyone intimately from faculty to the athletics staff, to school administrators and of course the entire student body. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with different activities, be it athletics, theatre, SAC, etc.  I found several places to learn and meet people. NEC athletics also had a profound influence on me, and made differences in a number of area (including leadership, patience, and determination).

All in all I strongly recommend New England College to any students looking to truly learn and grow. NEC offers a wide variety of experiences which help you become a stronger student, person and not only learn more about the career you wish to pursue but also about the person you want to become. New England College gave me the foundation I needed to follow my dream of working in professional soccer.