NY International FC To Honor Integral Member, Davide Giri
In December of 2021, New York City International FC of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League lost an integral member of their club, Davide Giri.
Davide, an Italian Native, resided in New York City, and played for NYIFC while also studying at Columbia University. He was stabbed to death on his way home from soccer practice.
This weekend, Saturday June 25, 2022, the club will host the inaugural NYIFC 5K Run to honor Davide’s legacy. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the “Davide Giri Memorial Prize Fund”, which was established in 2022 by Columbia University. This prize is given annually to a graduate student in Computer Science who has combined excellence in research results with outstanding efforts to promote research collaboration.
“The first time I met Davide was at Beyond FC, where we both played, which is the club that we branched off from to create what we are today.” said Gary Philpott, Founder and Head Coach of New York International FC.
“At that time, I was more of a teammate than a coach. Davide had played with the club for a few years before me in the Division 2 squad. A couple of years later, I joined Beyond FC at the Division 4 level, just as a favor for a friend. Before I knew it, I was a player-coach and we started to build an organized club that cared about doing things the right away. That is how I first met Davide.”
“Even though he (Davide) was involved with a team a few divisions above us he was attracted to the mentality and ambition we had created and asked if he could come and train with us”.
“That first training session, he had such a quiet and polite demeanor about him. He offered to help set up and kinda just stayed out of the spotlight, happy to be there smiling the whole time. But when the games got going he was a completely different person, he wanted the ball, chased everything, was aggressive (but fair) in tackles, the passion came out and you could see he was a proper winner and a fierce competitor, very on brand with the typical old school Italian defender”.
“He was also very humble and shy at times , but he was one of those dark horses that comes out with a random one liner and surprises everyone. On a team night out he would have us crying, laughing and joking with everyone and impersonating certain people on the team. He very quickly became a big favorite, and a pillar of the team.The success we achieved that season is what led us to branch off and believe in building our own club, NY International FC (2019), which Davide was a key figure in, setting standards and leading by example, and was one of the original founding members of the amazing club we have today”.
“A 5k might not be everyone’s cup of tea, which is totally fair, or if you’re unable to make the run/walk, but would like to participate and honor Davide with us, you can donate with this link, where 100% of the proceeds go towards the Davide Giri Memorial Fund at the Computer Science Department at Columbia University where Davide was a PHD student”.
“And if all of the above isn’t possible, no matter what part of the world or country you’re in, feel free to participate from your own neighborhood”, said said Gary Philpott, Founder and Head Coach of NY International FC.
“This is a celebration! Walk with friends, bike with the family, get on the treadmill, whatever it is you want!! Only request is that you send us pictures to @NYIntFC and the good vibes will be felt!!”
“Yes, this is the inaugural event honoring Davide, and will be held annually. It may not be a 5k every year but it’ll for sure be a big celebration of Davide’s life every year so that Davide will continue to live on with us. There are rumors going around already that next year it’ll be taking place in Italy!!!”
“The club also officially retired Davdie’s #2 shirt last season, and his game worn shirt was given to his family as a gift. Davide is still on every single game-day squad and is present with us at the field, on a massive 8ft x 8ft banner at every game we play, to remind us that we’re playing for him!”
If you would like to take part in the 5k walk/run, visit this link for more information.
First Team Podcast sends condolences to Davide’s family, and wishes that his memory and legacy will never be forgotten.
