Look through the annuls of Loyola University Maryland men's soccer, and it is dotted with the surname "Mangione." For the Greyhounds, that started when Nick Mangione came to the school in 1976 and was the only freshman to start for Loyola on its NCAA Division II National Championship Team.

In addition to that national title, the first in any sport for the Greyhounds, hIs hall of fame career included NSCAA All-America honors, a 57-15-2 overall record, a second NCAA South Atlantic Region title and 47 career goals with 22 assists. He was inducted to the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989.

The Loyola spirit did not leave the Mangiones when he graduated in 1980 as his younger brothers, Pete and Sam, played for the Greyhounds, and his daughter, Gigi, was a two-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player, leading the women's soccer program to conference titles in 2009 and as a senior in 2012.

Since graduation, Nick Mangione had a decorated indoor soccer career and has been involved in the hotel industry in Baltimore as his family has kept its close ties to the Evergreen campus. Learn more about him in the fourth installment of the Alumni Spotlight, presented by Fence Masters.

Let's start at the beginning. How did you first get into soccer, and what was it that drew you to Loyola? 
 
As a kid, I played all the sports in the backyard and in the neighborhood. I had a cousin who married a guy from Italy named Robbie Ascenzi. Robbie showed my brothers and I the magic of soccer. I played for St. Anthony's Parish and Polytechnic High School. All through high school, my friends and I would go to watch the Greyhounds. We were lucky enough to catch some of the classics against opponents Baltimore University and Old Dominion. After a Maryland State Cup game, I was approached by coach Jim Bullington. He asked if I wanted to attend Loyola. I immediately took a tour of the campus and within a few hours, I was committed to Loyola College. 


Take us back to the 1976 Division II Championship-winning team during your freshmen year. What was that experience like, and how was that squad able to put everything together to bring Loyola its first-ever NCAA title?
 
The 1976 championship year was phenomenal and life-changing! The experience of traveling to other campuses and cities was new and exciting, especially as a freshman. All the players were like family and we never argued with each other. 
 
The 1976 team was overflowing with confidence. As early as the third game into the season, we defeated Adelphi, a former National Championship Team, at our Loyola Tournament. By the 7^th game of the year, we had our captain and other upper classmen say that we were going to win the National Championship… That's confidence! Our captains were Greg Portera and Ian Reid, both seniors. We had a simple mantra, "YOU NEED TO WANT IT" in order to win. It sounds a little old school but that was the difference between winning and losing. 
 

What are some of your favorite memories (soccer or in general) from your time at Loyola?
 
My favorite soccer memories were the stretch of games leading to the 1976 championship. 
 
We played Randolph Macon in an early playoff game. We were down 2-0 at halftime. The players knew in the second half we were shooting towards our "lucky side" of the field, which was shooting towards the campus building. (This was years before the stellar Ridley Athletic Complex). We came out scoring four fantastic goals, winning the game, 4-2. 
 
In the next playoff game, another home game, we faced a strong team from Florida, Rollins College. We won in double overtime by a score of 1-0… GREAT WIN! The field was instantly rushed with hundreds of student-fans. You would have thought we won the championship already. 
 
We made it to the "big dance" and flew to Seattle, Washington… the rest was history! Coming back home to Baltimore after the championship and being greeted by hundreds of people was something I'll never forget. Needless to say, the team and campus residences enjoyed the victory that evening!

After graduation, you began an extended indoor playing career, primarily with the Baltimore Blast. What was it like transitioning to the professional level, and what are your top highlights from that time of your life?
 
My college career gave me the opportunity to play soccer at a professional level. The confidence I obtained at Loyola allowed me to transition onto the professional level pretty quickly. Again, the experience of traveling to some great venues like Philly, NYC, St. Louis, San Diego and Tampa Bay were very rewarding. I had teammates from around the world… England, Argentina, Yugoslavia, Brazil and even France. I was able to enjoy the different cultures by being around these players. Winning the 1984 championship with the Baltimore Blast was a highlight moment. 
 
The real highlight moment happened two years prior though to the 1984 championship…  It was Blast Night at the local watering hole, Giannarini's. There I met my wife of 35 years, Danielle.
 

What was the next step for you at the conclusion of your playing career, and what have you been up to in recent years?
 
After playing professionally for eight years, I was fortunate to join the family business. My role is to manage several Hilton Hotels in the Northwest side of Baltimore County.
 
Danielle and I settled down in Parkville, Maryland, and had six children – Nicholas, Antonino, Marco, Gianna, Philip and Mia. 
 
My four boys went to Calvert Hall High School and Towson University. Gianna went to McDonogh High School and Loyola University (graduated 2013). Gianna also represented the Hounds and helped the women's soccer team win two MAAC championships.  My youngest child, Mia, went to Friends High School and is in her last semester at Towson University. 
 
Needless to say, they all played soccer and were very successful. I am very proud of all their accomplishments on and off the field. In the last four years, my wife and I have been blessed with seven grandchildren… Mattea (4), Nicholas (3), Leo (3), Camilla (2), Luciano Nicholas (1), Berkeley (1) and Luca (1). I think it's safe to say that we'll have some future soccer players, potentially Hounds, from this group! 
 
 

The Mangione connection to Loyola extends across several generations. What kind of impact has Loyola had on your family as a whole?
 
To us, Loyola is a second home. I am one of ten kids. Six of the 10 graduated from Loyola. It's clearly our top choice for higher education. More recently, I've had several nieces and nephews graduate from Loyola, continuing the tradition. 
 
My parents, Nicholas and Mary Mangione, have always been very appreciative to Loyola by giving back. For example, in 2012, it was my mother's honor to help bring the St. John's Bible to Loyola. They were both big fans of Father Sellinger and Father Linnane. Over the years, my family has attended multiple celebrity lectures at the Loyola campus. Some of the most notable lectures included Prime Minister Tony Blair and General Colin Powell. 
 

Do you still keep up with the men's soccer team? What are your thoughts on the current state of the program?
 
I follow the team every year. I was very happy when Steve Nichols took over the team. Everyone in the area knew Steve had an excellent eye for talent and would put a solid soccer program together. Winning is always important, but developing young people for the future is the ultimate success… Steve is the perfect mentor for that. 


Is there any message you would like to give to the current team as they attend Loyola during the COVID-19 era?

These are challenging times for everyone. Players need to do the right thing, make the right choices and be charitable with their free time on campus and in the community. The players should do their training on their own time. Set your goals and go for it. And remember the simple mantra, "YOU NEED TO WANT IT" in order to win.