The annual Kevin Gray Awards, this year presented by Global Sports International and sponsored by Sporting Kansas City, are given to honor a man who was truly innovative in the growth of sports in Kansas City and to recognize the achievements of soccer players and coaches in the Kansas City area. Each year, as the event nears, we here at Sporting Kansas City like to see where some of our past winners have gone and catch up on any new achievements they have made.
The second Kevin Gray Awards Spotlight of 2016 goes to former Sporting KC Academy player and 2014 Kevin Gray Male Youth Player of the Year Joey “JoJo” Piatczyc.
Joey is originally from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and is a graduate of Lee’s Summit High School. Throughout his high school and academy career, Joey formed an impressive soccer profile. Before moving onto West Virginia University, Joey acquired many accolades including the 2011 Generation Adidas Team Player, the 2011 USSDA Winter Showcase Select Team Player, a spot on the 2011-2012 Sporting KC Reserve Team, a No. 1 ranking as a recruit in the Heartland Region on TopDrawerSoccer, and Second Team All-State recognition in 2011 at Lee’s Summit.
That said, it is no wonder why he was chosen as the Male Youth Player of the Year in 2014. When asked what winning the award meant, Piatczyc said "It was a huge honor to me an it gave me great confidence going into my freshman campaign at WVU."
His confidence most definitely showed with the stats and recognition he received in his 2014 season. Joey played in 17 games total with 14 starts as a freshman Mountaineer. He utilized his position well by recording eight assists, which was tied for first on the team, ranked second in the MAC Conference, and 14th in the nation. Joey did not stop there with a huge showing in his freshman season, as he would go onto receive the MAC Freshman of the Year award.
However, he did not stop continuing to grow as a player into his sophomore year. Playing in 18 with 17 starts, Joey recorded his first goal and was named the WVU Student Athlete of the Week in August 2015. Additionally, Joey once again stood out with his ability to create plays by being the first player in program history at West Virginia to record 13 assists, which also led the country.
Joey did not have a hard time transitioning his talent from the academy to the collegiate level, but when asked what the biggest transition was, Piatczyc said it “was realizing the mistakes you make. In the midfield if I lost the ball there is a very good chance that they go to goal from there. So the biggest thing I have worked on is minimizing those mistakes and becoming smarter on the field so I can do so.”
Having a soccer career such as Joey’s at such a young age, there are many things to be proud about. However, when asked what accomplishment he was most proud of, he replied, “Leading the country in assists for regular season this last year because it was the first time that I really stood out across the country.”
Throughout his career, Joey has always pushed himself as well as his teammates to be better versions of themselves and to be constantly learning on the field. But he is also an inspiration and motivator off the field. He said the most rewarding part about soccer was “being able to go up to the fans and give back. We have families that support us so much as WVU that they feel like family. We even go and support those kids in whichever sports they are playing. A kid named Cooper and his family at our school are a massive reason why I feel at home when I am actually away."
As Joey enters his junior year at West Virginia this fall, we asked him where he sees himself in two years once his collegiate career is done. Joey would like to see himself playing professionally whether it be in the United States or overseas. He continued to say that if he does not end up playing after college, he would like to work with little kids and help the less fortunate.
We can’t wait to see the achievements you will make in the coming season, Joey!
