Riley Papiano | Next Play Athlete of the Month
"You need to be accountable if you forget to respond to a coach that doesn’t go unnoticed." - Riley Papiano
Athlete of the Month
We're thrilled to introduce our Athlete of the Month.
Every month, we recognize and celebrate the dedication, passion, and hard work of an outstanding athlete in our VIP community.
We call them 'Next Play Athletes' because they are disciplined, determined, and don't let anything stop them from achieving what they want.
They always move forward because they stay focused on their Next Play.
Size and talent alone don't make up who they are; heart and character do.
They actively seek coaching and accountability, working tirelessly to improve crucial skills such as marketing and selling themselves.
Meanwhile, their peers often wait for coaches to approach them and then resort to making excuses.
It is always one of the hardest decisions to make.
That said, this month we would like to honor, congratulate, and recognize, Riley Papiano.
A few quick facts about Riley Papiano:
Position: Outside/Inside Linebacker
School: Arthur P Schalick High school
Goal: Secure a College Football Scholarship
Offer: Norwich Go Cadets
Signed: TBD
A few quotes and insights from our athlete of the month:
1. What inspires you to work so hard towards earning a scholarship?
"I’m inspired by many things I’ve played football for almost 13 years and I don’t want it to end, I’m also inspired to prove others wrong I’ve been told by many I’m not good enough and that inspires me to prove them wrong."
2. Why did you think it was important to start this process as early as freshman year?
"It’s important to start this process early because relationships are everything and if you wait too long to get those relationships started you’ll get lost in the crowd."
3. How important is accountability in achieving your scholarship?
"You need to be accountable if you forget to respond to a coach that doesn’t go unnoticed."
4. What do you believe stops athletes from getting a scholarship?
" Athletes wait too long, a lot of people wait till their senior season and by that point a lot of coaches have moved on to the next class."
5. What do you believe is the biggest reason that gets in their way?
"The biggest thing that it gets in their way is they don’t think it matters till it’s too late and they’re rushing to start to do outreach."
Are you inspired by his story and journey?
Riley Papiano’s journey to college football is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the power of perseverance.
Coming from a background where few believed he could play at the college level, Riley has defied expectations and proved the doubters wrong.
Growing up, Riley faced numerous challenges, including size, yet he never let them deter him.
He embraced each obstacle with determination and adopted the "Next Play" mindset, focusing on what he could control and striving to improve every day.
Though he currently has just one offer, it marks a significant achievement in his journey—an indication that he’s just getting started.
Riley's relentless efforts in reaching out to coaches, sending emails, and showcasing his skills have set the foundation for a promising future.
Riley believes that his journey is not just about playing college football but about developing skills that will serve him in life beyond the game.
His story is an inspiration to any young athlete who feels they started too late or faces rejection.
His message is clear: Start now, embrace the challenges, and focus on your NEXT PLAY.
With his unwavering determination and resilience, Riley Papiano’s potential is limitless, and his journey is only beginning.
--
Richie Contartesi, Founder of Next Play
Watch How Riley Was Able To Secure His First Offer:
Apply To Work 1-on-1 With Richie
Richie's mentorship program provides access to the entire Next Play® protocol for earning a football scholarship, complete with mentorship, coaching, and accountability for your son, thereby ensuring he develops into an elite communicator, leader, and businessman, and ultimately earns a full-ride scholarship.
