MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Barry University’s men’s soccer assistant coach, Rafael Ferreiro has been inducted into the Cardinal Gibbons Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ferreiro began his high school career as a standout freshman on the boys varsity soccer team scoring 18 goals and 15 assists in his first season. He continued to improve each year culminating in being Cardinal Gibbons High School men’s soccer program’s current all-time career scoring leader (101 goals) and assist (78 ). In his four years as a varsity soccer player, Rafael helped win three District Titles, one regional and one State runner-up finish, the first Gibbons soccer team to do so.
Throughout his career he earned several honors including Miami Herald’s and Sun-Sentinel’s First-Team All-County, First-Team All-State and BCAA All-Star pick.
Ferreiro’s college career began at Florida International University where he played at for one season before transferring to Nova Southeastern University. In his only season at FIU, Ferreiro scored a team-high nine assists to go along with four goals. At NSU Ferreiro’s career really took off. In three seasons with the Sharks Ferreiro was named NAIA First-Team All-American in 200 and 2001 and helped them reach the program’s first ever Regional and Conference title in route to a 19 goal and 18 assist season. The following season Ferreiro eclipsed his previous mark by scoring 23 goals and knotting 17 assists and once again led his team to the Regional and Conference Championship and another NAIA National Tournament bid. He is currently fifth all-time scoring and second all-time in assists for the Sharks.
Following his collegiate career, Ferreiro accomplished his dream by playing professionally overseas in Spain. He played for clubs such as Racing Club Ferrol, Negreira FC and Naron Club de Futbol. Although his playing career in the pros was short his experiences have helped make him a valued and respected coach in the Soccer Community in the United States.
Ferreiro’s undoubted passion for soccer and Gibbons has brought him back to Cardinal Gibbons High School, as he is the current boys soccer varsity head coach in his eighth season. During his tenure he has coached his teams to an impressive seven District Championship Title Games and has won three of those championships and one regional appearance. His professionalism in coaching has him holding several high level coaching licenses such as an NSCAA Premier “A” Coaching Diploma and a USSF National “A” Coaching License as well as a UEFA “B”/ English FA Level 3 Coaching Badge.
Ferreiro also owns and runs an elite soccer academy, Pure Futbol Soccer Academy, which was established in 2004. He is also currently the Barry Men’s Soccer Assistant coach (2 years) where he helped guide the 2013 squad to their second Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championship. Ferreiro will always be indebted to Gibbons for all of the opportunities and memories that Gibbons has given him. Along with his soccer duties, Rafael works in the family business with his father (Dino) and brother (Dan) at Blue Ribbon Tag & Label, Corp.