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04/29/2016 12:00 AMConor Koziatek is a well-rounded student-athlete who’s consistently given an extra effort throughout his time at East Haven High School. Conor was a four-year member of the Yellowjackets’ boys’ soccer team who’s also assisted at a local youth soccer camp, the Sal Tinari Biddy Basketball League, and East Haven’s Unified Sports program, as well as completing more than 90 hours of community service, which is among the highest in his senior class.
“I’ve made great friendships and learned how other people learn and listen. Some people need to see how it’s done, while others just need to listen. I feel like it made me a better person outside of sports,” says Conor of his time spent teaching in those programs. “For some of them, it’s hard to speak, so you have to listen better. I’ve learned to pay attention more for that reason.”
Conor played basketball at East Haven during his freshman year, but stopped as a sophomore. Conor then wanted to try something new and so he got involved with Unified Sports.
“I was looking to do something. One of our teachers who runs it asked me to play. I went out and loved it from there. We have coaches who coach and I’m a player,” says Conor. “We do basketball and I’ll be out there to get rebounds and the special needs players do all the scoring and dribbling. I’m just there if they need someone to pass it to.”
Although Conor was often busy during the soccer season, he still did whatever he could to make sure he was around to help out Unified Sports in the fall. Unified Sports coach Beth Paquette says that Conor was a huge asset to the program.
“Conor does whatever activities that he can come to or he’ll stop by at the beginning of practice before his soccer practice starts just to say hi and check in with everybody,” says Paquette. “Also, during the fall, even when he’s not fully participating with our unified program, he’s one of the most-dedicated people we have and is always willing to help out the coaches with whatever we need to do. He’ll have soccer practice, but if he has 10 minutes to bring things down to where our practice is or get things organized, he’ll take that time. He can do things more selfish, but he’s more selfless in his dedication to the program.”
Conor rotated between defense and the goalkeeper’s position when he competed for Yellowjackets’ soccer. Conor first played organized soccer as a freshman after a friend asked him to join the team. He worked his hardest and Conor was rewarded for that effort by being named a team captain in his senior season.
“I was honored captain from our coach, Paul Comesanas. I felt very honored because I felt I worked hard enough to be a captain,” says Conor. “I liked it a lot. A lot of the underclassmen really did listen to me and they looked up to me. I felt I was a good role model to them.”
Conor says he enjoyed his time as a goalie the most and felt that it was the natural spot on the field for him.
“I loved it. I liked robbing people, which was fun,” says Conor. “People thought they’d have a goal and I’d come out of nowhere. It got me pumped up.”
This fall, Conor will be attending the University of New Haven to pursue a career in education. It’s a choice that largely stems from the influence of his grandmother Teresa Vitale, who was a longtime teacher at the high school. Conor hopes to study special education and Paquette feels that he has right attitude to excel in that field.
“One of the things that stood out when he started working with our program is that he recognizes the dignity and the respect that should be awarded to our athletes and individuals that are playing with disabilities. That’s a huge piece because that’s one of the key pieces of being a part of the unified program—recognizing that everybody is there to have a good time and are there to do the best they can,” says Paquette. “Conor is always encouraging people and telling them to do their best and try their hardest.”