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Figueiredo named Bowdoin's Male Athlete of the Year

By Jean DePlacido
Correspondent
Published: June 11, 2008

After a season in which he did it all for the Bowdoin College men's soccer team, there was still one accolade with Nick Figueiredo's name on it before he graduated.

The former St. John's Prep star from Wilmington was named Male Athlete of the Year at the annual All-Sports Banquet recently.

"I was really surprised to be chosen because there are so many good student-athletes at Bowdoin," said Figueiredo. "It's an honor to win, especially having such stiff competition."

The good news for him was being selected for this prestigious honor — the bad news was the inscription on the plaque had his name 'Nicholas' spelled wrong.

"I'll have to speak to somebody about correcting it," said Figueiredo. "They put 'Nikolas' with a k instead of an h."

"Men's soccer isn't as big as hockey, lacrosse or baseball (at Bowdoin), but our team won three awards in all. That recognition bodes well for the program."

The top male athlete award was a great way to cap off a stellar college career for Figueiredo. He had a fantastic senior year, becoming the Polar Bears' all-time leading scorer in both points (88) and goals (35).

Last season, Figueiredo had 10 goals and 11 assists for Bowdoin (9-6-1), which posted the program's 12th straight winning season and reached the NESCAC semifinals.

Figueiredo broke Gima Asmerom's school scoring record, which had stood for 35 years, in his team's upset win over nationally ranked Babson. He was selected NESCAC Player of the Year — the first Polar Bear ever chosen — and also named First Team All-American.

Not only was Figueiredo a scoring machine, but his goals came in key situations; he netted three game-winners. He led the NESCAC in points, assists and was the league's second-highest goal scorer. A two-time All-Conference and All-New England player, he was Second Team All-American as a junior.

Last January, Figueiredo was the only Division 3 college player invited to attend a tryout with the New England Revolution. Over 600 applications were sent in, and from that number only 40 were picked.

"Unfortunately, I was stuck out of position," said Figueiredo, who is normally a striker or attacking midfielder. "They put me in a more defensive midfield spot, but it was a good experience. I had to send them a resume to be considered, and there were a lot of foreign players and Division 1 kids there."

Figueiredo, an economics major, will play for the Boston Aztecs in the National Premier Soccer League this summer, traveling all over the Northeast. He hopes to play for the Aztecs indoor team in the Major Indoor Soccer League next winter.