Antonio Capaldi uses the word “blessed” a lot to describe his first year as a Macomb student. The Eastpointe native has found success and opportunity both as a member of the men’s basketball team, averaging nearly 10 points a game including 20 in the regional championship, and as a campus leader.
“Macomb helped me center my life,” Capaldi said. “It helped show me what I want to do, how I want to do it, where I want to do it. Without Macomb, I don’t know where I’d be.”
Capaldi, who is thinking of studying education to become an administrator and coach, made the dean’s list after earning a 4.0 in the summer semester, and he credits Heather Mayernik, his College Study Success Skills professor, with helping him make the academic transition to college. He’s been asked to speak to incoming students and younger teammates about being a successful student. He was also invited to attend the Shining Light Awards, where he met NBA Hall of Famer and former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. As he walked into that event full of CEOs, civic leaders and other successful community members, Mayernik told him, “This could be you one day.”
Although he could not have imagined that a year ago, Capaldi replied: “Yes, it could.”
The Monarchs basketball season starts in November. Check out their schedule and follow them on Twitter.