Some players lead with speeches. Others lead through consistency—showing up, working through difficult moments and making sure the people around them know they are never alone.

Senior Louie Cicero, better known to his teammates as Lou, is that kind of leader.

After 12 years of playing soccer and six seasons as a Wildcat, Louie enters his senior year wearing #15 and embracing what it means to be one of the oldest players on the team.

To Louie, being a senior means becoming “a leader who the younger guys look up to.” His goal is to put everything he has into making his final season memorable while helping the Wildcats develop stronger chemistry and play more completely as a unit.

That answer says a great deal about Louie. Leadership is not always measured by who speaks the loudest. Sometimes it is found in the teammate who can be counted on—the person willing to encourage others, face challenges beside them and help hold a group together.

Twelve Years of the Game

Louie’s soccer journey began long before high school. One of the special parts of that journey has been sharing the game with his younger brother, Vinny. From their early Loyalhanna United days to Louie’s senior season at Greater Latrobe, soccer has remained part of the Cicero family’s story.

His six years as a Wildcat have brought plenty of memories. When asked for a favorite, Louie went all the way back to freshman year and remembered Toth and the rest of the bench heckling the opposing team during varsity games.

His most memorable game came a year later, when Latrobe defeated Franklin on the road during his sophomore season.

Those moments—some meaningful, some funny and some unforgettable simply because of the teammates who shared them—have helped shape Louie’s experience.

Perseverance and Purpose

The greatest lesson soccer has taught Louie is one that reaches far beyond the field:

One moment that stayed with him happened during mandatory conditioning, when Coach Scott asked the players to consider what truly motivates them—not only in soccer, but in life.

It was a simple question with a much bigger meaning. For Louie, his final season is an opportunity to put that lesson into action: meet challenges directly, give his full effort and keep becoming the best version of himself.

His advice to younger players reflects that same mindset:

And his message to the underclassmen is even simpler:

Beyond the Field

Away from soccer, Louie has a range of interests that make him unmistakably himself. He enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors, plays guitar in a band formed with friends and listens to Megadeth.

He is also fascinated by meteorology. After graduation, Louie plans to attend a four-year college and study atmospheric sciences, with the hope that ten years from now he will have a career he genuinely enjoys and a peaceful life.

His favorite movie is Back to the Future, his favorite television show is Seinfeld and his favorite club is Wolverhampton Wanderers. His favorite athlete is Michael Jordan—not only for his accomplishments, but also for the wisdom found in his quotes.

Louie’s personal motto brings everything together:

And although his hidden talent may simply be that he is 6’3″, the qualities that define him most cannot be measured in inches: perseverance, individuality, dependability and a genuine desire to be there for others.

Thank You

As his senior season begins, Louie is especially grateful to his parents, Art and Ann, along with Coach Scott, Trenton, Will and the coaches who helped him during his time with AFFC.

Each has played a part in the 12-year journey that brought him here.

Now Louie has one final season to give everything he has, help his teammates come together and create the memories that will remain long after the final whistle.

Whatever comes next, the Wildcats will remember Louie Cicero #15 as someone who persevered, stayed true to himself and was always there when his teammates needed him.