Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Congratulations, Dragan Radovich

Former Terrier Goalkeeper Dragan Radovich ’79 Honored At 2018 NYC Soccer Gala

Radovich (pictured left) was joined by SFBK Head Coach Tom Giovatto (center) and last year's honoree Mario Fava.























QUEENS, N.Y. – St. Francis Brooklyn men's soccer alum Dragan Radovich '79 was 
honored at the Sixth Annual New York City Soccer Gala on March 22 at the New York Athletic Club.  The event honors the history of the beautiful game in the capital of the world.

Each of the five New York City Division I men's soccer programs came together to recognize great figures in their respective histories in addition to honoring a pair of New York City soccer legends in Bill Manning and Len Roitman. The honorees from the other four New York Area schools were as follows: Sal Rosamilia (Columbia), Chris Gonzalez (Fordham), Roger Chavez (LIU Brooklyn), and Stefani Miglioranzi (St. John's).

Radovich spent five seasons in the 
North American Soccer League. He was also a three time first team All American for the Terriers. 

This year's NYC Soccer Gala Honoree from St. Francis Brooklyn is the 2nd straight Terrier honored at the NYC Soccer Gala in the position of Goalkeeper. Dragan Radovich is a retired Croatian – American goalkeeper and proud graduate of St. Francis College, Brooklyn.

Born on July 29, 1956, in Croatia, he moved to New York City when he was 11 years old and played in the youth system of Blau-Weiss Gottschee. During his years at Jamaica High School, Dragan transitioned from baseball to soccer and began perfecting his game. In his senior year at Jamaica High, he was awarded with the NYC Public Schools Athletic League Iron Horse/Pegasus Award in 1975, which is given to the best soccer player within the NYC school district.

Recruited out of High School by then Terriers Head Coach Carlo Tramontozzi, Radovich was a 4-year member of the St. Francis College Men's Soccer Team through the years of 1975-1978.
During this time, he reminisces of many games in Brooklyn and beyond, alongside his teammates from all over the world. Radovich made an immediate impact for the Terriers and continued each of his 4 years to be a solid foundation in goal. As such a strong defensive presence, Radovich was awarded with All – American awards in 1976, 1977 and 1978. Later, he was inducted into St. Francis Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.

After graduating and leaving Brooklyn Heights, he began his professional career on the pitch. The Washington Diplomats drafted Radovich into the North American Soccer League in 1979, where he spent two seasons (1979 – 1980), before transferring to the Portland Timbers (1981 – 1982). Over the course of 2 outdoor and one indoor season with the NASL, Radovich saw the pitch in over 30 games. In 1983, he ended his career in the NASL with the Chicago sting and continued playing semi-professionally with the Brooklyn Italians and Greek American Atlas team through the early 1990's, which included a trip to the 1989 National Challenge Cup Finals.

Dragan Radovich is married to his wife Dorothy, a fellow Terrier. The husband and wife met while at St. Francis College and have two great children; Michael and Dorothy.
Dragan is proud to accept this award on behalf of St. Francis College and is honored to be among the 2018 list of recipients.

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