Spotlight: Tobias Pellio, NSU’s new soccer captain

Tobias Pellio always knew he would pursue soccer. He started his career in Club Soccer at the age of 3 and never looked back.

Pellio, originally from Hagen, Germany, is the new captain of the NSU men’s soccer team.

Tobias Pellio plays during a soccer match. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOBIAS PELLIO.

Pellio started his junior college season at Monroe College, in Bronx, New York, later winning a championship. He then transferred to NSU because he was familiar with Florida and loved the campus.

But Pellio had some difficulties with the transition.

“The hardest part about playing in college is the heat in Florida, managing my time, scheduling my treatments, workouts, classes and homework ,while still prioritizing the game,” Pellio said.

As for his new role as captain of the team, Pellio said that his teammates have helped him in this transition.

“The boys make it easy for me,” he said. “I just need to make sure I’m communicating things and bringing the energy.”

Pellio has looked up to many soccer champions throughout his career, from Andres Iniesta to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who led his team to win the world cup. If Pellio could compare himself to one active player in the league now, he said it would be Marco Veratti.

Pellio’s main inspirations besides famous players were his older brothers and the people growing up with him, who had such a passion for the sport.

“Everyone who I hung out with played [soccer] daily,” Pellio said. “It was all we did every day.”

Pellio’s current goals are to play a good season and bring a national championship to NSU. Pellio said for him, a national championship is an attainable goal, given his hard work, drive, passion for the game, ability to understand when a break is necessary, and correct priorities.

To watch Pellio and his teammates dominate this season, visit https://nsusharks.com/ for game schedules, tickets and live streams.