< Seth Strader
of Mitchell College is a finalist for the New England Collegiate Conference male senior student-athlete of the year award.
Seth Strader's parents taught him about the importance of community service.
His girlfriend pushed him to reach his potential as a student.
Strader has them to thank, his supportive Mitchell College soccer family as well as his work ethic and commitment for being named one of five finalists for the New England Collegiate Conference Male senior student-athlete of the year award.
He never even knew he was nominated for the award, which recognizes a student-athlete that has "excelled academically and athletically, while also being leaders on their campus and in their community."
"It was a complete shock to be one of five male athletes nominated in a conference this big," said Strader of his reaction when informed of the news on Thursday. "It's a really cool feeling that my hard work paid off."
Southeastern Connecticut is well represented on the list of finalists in a conference that has eight schools and 16 sports. Kyra Teixeira, an Old Lyme resident who recently graduated from Becker College where she played soccer and softball, is a candidate for the female senior student-athlete honor.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 27.
A Norwich Free Academy graduate, Strader checks off all the boxes as far as being worthy of the award.
"Seth is just a wonderful young man," Mitchell coach Damian Houlden said. "It doesn't happen very often where a young man is just hard-working, kind and dedicated to something bigger than just himself.
"Credit to him. We've just given him opportunities but his hard work and his character always seems just to shine through . ... He's got a really good perspective and grasp on things. I'm really happy for him."
Strader had a successful college career on all levels.
On the field, he earned a share of the starting goalie job as a freshman and appeared in 65 career games, making 58 starts. A two-time all-conference selection, he owned a 1.81 career goals against average and had 10 shutouts. He also served as a mentor to his younger teammates.
He helped the Mariners win their first NECC tournament championship title in 2017 and made a career-best 10 saves in a memorable 2-1 NCAA Division III tournament first round loss to Saint Joseph's of Maine.
"I'll never forget it," Strader said. "Even just having the NCAA participation award, I have that on my nightstand next to me and I see it every day. It puts a smile on my face, showing a little kid from Preston who went to the next level. It's really nice."
In the classroom, Strader finished on a soaring note, posting a personal best 4.0 grade point average in his final semester. He was named to the NECC Academic All-Conference team.
With regular encouragement and support from his girlfriend, Courtney Janovic, Strader elevated his academic game.
"She pushed me to get good grades and really turn it around," Strader said. "I'm really thankful to her for that. To get that (NECC academic) award was just awesome. A lot of hours in the library. In the end, I'm better for it."
Strader always has been active in his community. He volunteered with Southeast Soccer Club and Mitchell soccer youth camps. He hopes someday to be a goalie coach on the youth level. He also took part in Mitchell beach clean-ups.
He's participated in several church mission trips with Preston City Congregational Church, traveling to New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Hampshire.
"You're given jobs in the community, like in food shelters, food pantries and youth camps," Strader said. "Just being an adult role model for young kids as well as people in need. We went to elderly people's homes that needed yard work done. It's just allaround community help.
"I enjoy helping people. My parents (Stephen and Susan) instilled in me growing up that there are people in need. Anything I can do to offer help, they really appreciate that. Just being able to see everyone that we help have a smile on their face — as cheesy as it sounds — is really heartwarming."
As far as his future, Strader, who majored in environmental studies, enters the work world at an uncertain time. His ultimate goal is to land a job at Electric Boat where his father has worked for the last 36 years.
Last summer he had an internship at Electric Boat in the environmental department.
"Anything in the environmental field," Strader said. "I love marine biology, the ocean and regulation compliance is really interesting to me. I haven't narrowed it down too much."
Strader will be missed by his Mitchell coaches and teammates and also by a second grader named Elliott, Houlden's son.
"He's one of the few people that you truly miss," Houlden said. "He's house-sat for me. He's dog-sat for me and looked after my little guy at times as well. You don't do that with people unless you absolutely trust them with your family. That's the biggest compliment I can give him. He's really an awesome young man.
"What he doesn't know, out of all the guys we have, Seth is Elliott's favorite player. Elliott is more upset that he's graduating than I am." g.keefe@theday.com