Q&A with Longmeadow soccer player Kyle O’Connor

LONGMEADOW, Mass. — We are constantly bragging about the young people in this community. I don’t know if it’s because of something in the water, good parenting, good coaching, good teaching or just that these kids are naturally awesome. Let’s just agree it’s a combination of all of the above.

This LHS student/athlete is yet another awesome person in rising senior, multiple sport athlete, Kyle O’Connor.

The O’Connor family lives in one of the many close-knit neighborhoods that exist in Longmeadow. Within their neighborhood are a large number of kids that have grown up together and now attend high school together. One of the best things about growing up in a town like Longmeadow is how the children are able to roam the streets more so than other towns and cities because of safety concerns.

Growing up, the kids used to play a game called “Manhunt”. It’s essentially where they roam the streets and yards in the dark and play tag. Growing up, Kyle would go out of his way to be sure that all the neighborhood kids were included, even if they were not the “popular“ kids that were always included in everything else. He would knock on doors around the neighborhood asking if kids could come out and play Manhunt, especially the kids who were often not socially included and did not have a lot of friends.

Let’s learn a little more about Kyle and what makes him tick…

How long have you been playing soccer?

Kyle O’Connor: I’ve been playing soccer in Longmeadow since I was five years old. It was the first organized sport that I played and I liked being competitive. I’ve played soccer with some of my current LHS teammates since elementary school. I’ve actually played soccer, lacrosse and hockey since I was in elementary school and I still play all three in high school. I like soccer because it’s fast-paced and you can play pick-up games pretty much anywhere at any time with all your friends and you don’t need all the equipment that hockey and lacrosse require.

Describe the upcoming 2024 LHS soccer team and why you enjoy playing for the Lancers?

O’Connor: I enjoy playing for the Lancers because I have great teammates, and our coach, Mr. Pantuosco is supportive and funny. I love scrimmaging during practice because it brings out the best in every player and is very competitive. This past season our team had a lot of freshman and sophomore players that will allow us to continue to grow and get better in the fall.

What do you love about Longmeadow?

O’Connor: I love living and playing sports in Longmeadow. It’s a small community where everyone knows each other, and sports can bring people together that otherwise wouldn’t know each other. Longmeadow also has a good reputation for academics so I am hoping that will help me in my future.

What do you enjoying doing off the field?

O’Connor: I like hanging out with friends, and my younger brothers and I have a small landscaping business all over town and mow about 20 lawns to make money. We recently were able to buy a 1994 Ford 150 pickup truck so we can transport our lawn-mowing equipment more easily. We named the truck “Mater”, after the truck from the Cars movies, which we watched all the time growing up.

Who is your soccer idol?

O’Connor: Pele! I used to watch a Pele movie a lot with my family when I was little, and it was amazing seeing how he had to play soccer with no shoes and using a ball made of rolled up clothes and yet he became one of the best soccer players ever.

Tell us about your family.

O’Connor: My family members are my #1 supporters, especially my parents. They’ve taught me everything I know about being a good and kind person, and they’ve spent so much of their time getting me back and forth to practices and games my whole life until I could drive. They’ve always believed in me.

What are three things that people don’t know about you.

O’Connor:

• I accidentally locked myself into a pair of handcuffs once when I was eight years old, and had to go to a neighborhood party with a sweatshirt over my arms and hands to hide the handcuffs.
• I was a mean flute player in elementary school.
• I write and eat left-handed, but I play sports right-handed/footed.

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