Bryan Lizama Chooses to Play at SUNY New Paltz

Bryan Lizama is a throwback kind of player. The senior’s impassioned play helped inspire the Blue Devil soccer team last fall. Huntington reached the Suffolk Class AA finals and it was due in no small measure to the All-State teenager.

Lizama is so good its seems like playing on the college level is a natural progression, but the Blue Devil great wasn’t interested in going to school just anywhere. Like his classmates, he had a list of essentials to check-off and when all was said and done, the Huntington senior decided SUNY New Paltz offers him the best of everything.

“It was a decision that took some time to think about.” Lizama said. “I was in contact with the coach there for quite some time and he was very interested in me playing there. I had closer options, which  I preferred. I wanted to stay with my family here on the Island, so considering New Paltz was tough. However, I was given the opportunity to attend an overnight stay at New Paltz. I was able to watch their team play SUNY Geneseo. Their style of play; the players individual technical abilities and the way they are able to work in unison were among a lot of qualities that I was fascinated about. It was a tough game, but they pushed through and beat Geneseo 2-1. I was able to spend the rest of the day with the team and explore the campus. After that amazing experience I knew where I wanted to go. The town, the campus, the team and the coaching staff made it feel like home and as if I was part of their family. The exceptional academic, athletic and financial opportunities offered were things my parents and I considered, which eventually lead to my decision to go to New Paltz.”

Lizama’s athleticism is such that he could have been a three-sport athlete if he was so motivated, but he has chosen to concentrate on soccer and his focus has paid dividends. He’s strong and skilled and appears to have the talent required to make an impact with the SUNY New Paltz team.

“I plan on majoring in business,” Lizama said. “I would like to expand my knowledge on what it is like to own a business and how to be a businessman. I would like to dive deeper into real estate. It often appreciates over time, providing potential for capital gains. Leverage, tax benefits and diversification make real estate an attractive investment for me. Along with all this, I would like to take my soccer career as far as possible. It would be my dream to showcase my skills and hard work at the highest level as possible.”

Since his earliest days in kindergarten at Washington Primary School, Lizama has displayed above average determination. It’s a quality that has served him well in school and sports.

“The best parts of attending school in Huntington is how connected the community is,” Lizama said. “We are such a diverse community, which makes everyone feel included. Family is a big thing for me. I believe this contributed to the strong bond I have with the friends I’ve made through the years attending school in Huntington. The educational resources we are given are also something that I am grateful for. I have been able to have a multitude of magnificent teachers throughout the years who truly enjoy teaching and creating that bond with each and every one of their students.”

Classes, teachers, academic resources; Lizama has savored them all, but he’s especially taken delight in playing soccer for the Blue Devils.

“Nothing can compare to being able to represent my school on the soccer team,” the senior said. “Whether it was on the Finely-White team with Mr. [Travis] Smith, all the way to captain of the varsity team alongside Coach [John] Pagano, Coach [Jason] Suarez and Coach [Jose] Alfaro, I have always felt pride in my heart to have the word ‘Huntington’ on my chest. I would also like to take the opportunity to give thanks to Coach Suarez, who not only perfected my skills in soccer, but showed me many ways on how to be a great man in life. My bond with him is something special and we even have our own pre-game handshake.”

The senior has a variety of happy memories from his time in a Blue Devil soccer uniform and many of his teammates will surely remain as lifelong friends.

“This season I was able to accomplish many things and it is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Lizama said. “I was able to play alongside my friends who I have been in school with since primary school. This all ties back to the family aspect Huntington gives to not just me, but to everyone in the community and that is why before every game we would yell with pride the word ‘family.’”

Next year at this time, Lizama will have his first college season under his belt. He’s sure to be a fan favorite at New Paltz, but Huntington will always hold a special place in his heart.

“Without a doubt I will always see myself as a Blue Devil,” Lizama said. “Being born and raised here allows me to call this my home. Leaving Huntington for the first time in my life will be something new, but in life I have learned to take risks and this is one of them. All of my family lives here, too, so leaving them as well will be hard, but becoming independent is necessary to become the man I will become in the future. Wherever life takes me, Huntington and the people in it will always be in my heart. It won’t be a ‘goodbye,’ it’ll just be a ‘see you later.’”