Newest scholar athlete: Dominic Parisi

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - This month's male scholar athlete hails from Cheektowaga Central High School and he gets his kicks from academics as well as soccer.

"I really enjoy soccer. This year everybody who I'm playing with, it's been the same guys for I don't know how long, some of my closest friends. I just love being out there on the field and going hard. And I love winning, obviously," said Dominic Parisi, November's scholar athlete.

Matt Haberl, the Cheektowaga soccer coach, said, "Dominic's one of the best athletes I've ever coached. I've been coaching varsity sports for over 20 years. I consider Dominic one of my top three captains of all-time. He listens, he's coachable, he's respected."

Parisi explains, "I work extra hard in school because I know grades first. That's what I've been told by my parents, by Mr. Haberl. That's first and foremost for me, work hard. I like to get involved in all the different activities. I like being a part of that and getting good grades."

"Dominic as a student is everybody's role model. He's got a 98 average in school, he's respected by all his teachers," added Haberl.

"Getting good grades doesn't necessarily drive me quite as much. I mean soccer is obviously my one love. I work just as hard in school because I know its just as important," said Parisi.