OKLAHOMA CITY – Richard Benigno proved the doubters wrong.
The former Oklahoma City University soccer all-American spent part of nine seasons playing professionally overseas in England, Germany and Switzerland following his college career. Benigno returned Wednesday to speak to the current Stars.
Benigo congratulated the Stars for last year's successful season. OCU finished 20-3-1 and reached the NAIA semifinals.
“A lot of people doubted I could play professionally,” said Benigno, who played at OCU from 1986-89.
Benigno became the first recruit signed by OCU coach Brian Harvey when the men's soccer program began in 1986. Benigno finished his career as the all-time assist leader with 42. He also held the career goals record until 1996. Benigno became an honorable-mention NAIA all-American in 1989.
Now Benigno is Vice President of Sales for a software company called CA in New York. He attributes much of his success in business to his time under Coach Harvey and playing professionally overseas.
Harvey has posted the most men's and women's soccer wins of any NAIA coach ever.
“Richard was a very exciting player for me,” said Harvey. “He was my first signing at OCU, and he is a big part of this program.”
OCU senior Brandon Hull said the current players were inspired by what Benigno had to say.
“It's always great to have alumni come visit us,” said Hull. “It's inspiring for kids who want to play professionally to hear from someone who has been there.”
Benigno said that playing soccer at OCU was a lot different than it is now.
“The soccer field was more like a cow pasture when I played,” he said jokingly. “Instead of worrying about the wind, you had to worry about if you were going uphill or downhill.”
Benigno also said he and the rest of his teammates had to educate the fans about soccer here.
“No one knew about soccer here yet,” he said. “Everyone knew about basketball and baseball, but not soccer.”
The OCU men's soccer team will open its season at Huston-Tillotson (Texas) Aug. 29 at noon. The first home game will be Aug. 31 against LSU-Shreveport at 3 p.m.
