Antonio Gachineiro, University of Dallas, Men's Soccer - Character & Community

Antonio Gachineiro, University of Dallas, Men's Soccer - Character & Community

ANTONIO GACHINEIRO OF UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS, a junior midfielder on the men's soccer team from Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been selected the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Character and Community Male Student Athlete of the Week for the week beginning February 13.

The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.



Antonio is among the most industrious of students at the University of Dallas. He was prepared for the workload when deciding to attend, but the UD community was one of the most important factors for him as well.

“I wanted to be challenged on the academic side, I also wanted to grow spiritually through my faith and UD does a tremendous job in allowing students in both aspects,” said Gachineiro. “I love the fact that I’m able to grow close relationships with my professors…that’s just something you can’t do at a bigger university.”

Antonio was simply not content to be a junior captain on the men’s soccer team and a pre-med major; he puts in extra hours in the classroom and the lab as a biology tutor and lab assistant. “I am passionate about my field (of study), and I just want to help the scientific community grow and promote it as much as possible,” he said.

Serving the local community is another passion of Gachineiro. The University of Dallas famously holds an annual service project called The Big Event, and Antonio has come back year after year to help serve the community of Irving. “We’re able to go to various locations in Irving, and we help churches, preschools, and other locations making it a safer, cleaner, and better environment for kids and our community. Knowing that I’m making a big impact in the community and in other people’s lives is what brings me back every year,” said Gachineiro.

On top of all of this, Antonio takes great pride in serving on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at UD. “I was offered the position my freshman year, and I was excited to join as I was able to help in growing our athletic department, make UD men’s soccer an even bigger part of our community, step into a leadership position, and even be a voice for our student athletes.”  

Antonio recently had the opportunity to represent UD at the NCAA Convention as a member of the SAAC. “I was honored to be selected to represent UD…we got to meet with other colleagues in our conference and promote legislation that we as student-athletes think is important, and I think it was amazing to be a voice for student-athletes in the NCAA.”

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