Mike Polsinelli was born with Cerebral Palsy and has been wheelchair bound since he can remember. While this 26-year old Niskayuna High School graduate has never been able to compete on the playing fields with his peers, he has not let his disability keep him from participating in the thing he loves most - sports.
"My love, my passion for sports is why I do what I do," said Polsinelli, who has been the scorebook keeper for the women and men's soccer teams as well as the softball team at Union College the past two years. "Sports have always been a big part of my life and since I can't be out running around, this is the best way for me to be involved."
A 1997 graduate of Niskayuna High, Polsinelli earned his undergraduate degree in business administration and his master's in human resources from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. While he is not sure what he wants to do with his degrees at the moment, he is looking forward to the upcoming softball season.
"I have a ton of fun with softball because of the coaches, Pete (head coach Pete Brown) and Brian (assistant coach Brian Speck). I like being around them and they have been great to me."
Speck, who is also the head coach for Union's nationally ranked women's soccer program, met Polsinelli while he was the varsity girl's soccer coach at Niskayuna.
"I knew Mike wanted to be our manager when he moved from the middle school into the high school, but it was right at that time that I left Niskayuna to come to Union. He was never able to manage for me but I always spoke to him when I went back to watch Niskayuna play. He always said that he wanted to manage my team. He joined our Union team two years ago and the relationship between Mike and the players has been mutually beneficial. Everyone really loves having him around. He is part of the program. Mike's mom has had the team over for dinner and she often supplies cookies after the games. Mike loves sports, and the reality is that this is as close as Mike can get to being part of a team."
Polsinelli's attention to detail not only benefits the soccer and softball teams, it is a great help to George Cuttita, Union's sports information director.
"With all the teams playing at the same time it is impossible to get to every game," Cuttita explained. "Knowing that Mike is keeping the book lets me put my attention elsewhere because I know that he will do a great job. I can always tell when Mike wasn't able to attend a game because information that he always provides is missing. Just like a coach needs good players in order for the team to be successful, I need to have a good person like Mike doing the statistics so that I can give accurate reports to the media."
But beyond his interest in sports,his knowledge of the game, and his attention to detail, Polsinelli's gentle nature and positive attitude have been an example to everyone who comes in contact with him.
"He is my assistant coach and my conscience," explained Speck. "If I am questioning a decision I made I can always look at Mike and I will always be able to tell what he thinks. I can also ask him and he will give me an honest answer. Mike's greatest attribute is his loyalty to me and to the program. Having Mike around helps keep everything in perspective," continued Speck. "Right when you think that perhaps you have it bad"
"I have never seen him without a smile or a kind word," said Cuttita. "I come in every morning and no matter what I'm carrying, I put it down just to shake Mike's hand. I admire his courage, his determination and his positive outlook."
Polsinelli, who goes on the road with the teams, really enjoys being with Union's student-athletes. "I love the college environment," he says. "Being around Union, the students,the coaches, the sports are a big part of my life."
