The Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) men’s soccer team recently secured the Sunshine State Conference regular season championship after defeating Nova Southeastern University 2-0 on October 29. The victory qualified the team for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Regional Tournament.
Beyond their athletic achievements, the team also participated in community service activities. On November 4, which is NCAA Civic Engagement Day, members of the team took part in a Workship project at Woodlawn Cemetery. The players helped with weeding and litter removal, assisting a cemetery staff of only five employees.
Sophomore Livio Von Holzen described the challenges of balancing academics, athletics, and work commitments. He noted that practices began at 6 a.m. each day before classes, and some teammates also held part-time jobs. Despite these demands, he emphasized the importance of participating in Workship events together each semester and volunteering individually when possible.
“Through consistent discipline, we become successful,” Van Holzen said. “Sometimes it is intense to manage all those different [responsibilities], but we learn and grow from those experiences. It is important to represent PBA well on and off the field.”
Head Coach Lucas Martorana discussed how competing in NCAA Division II supports personal development beyond athletics alone.
“We work hard to instill values that go beyond the field; putting others first, having a positive impact, and using our abilities to serve wherever possible,” Martorana said. “Community service isn’t just an occasional event; it’s a habit and a lifestyle that shapes character. We strive to honor God by making community service part of our experience.”
Martorana added that integrating service into student-athletes’ routines can be challenging but offers long-term benefits.
“Community service builds perspective, humility, and gratitude,” he said. “It teaches our players that leadership is about serving others, not just achieving personal or team goals. Those lessons translate directly to the field, where teamwork, sacrifice, and character matter, and into life after soccer.”
Each year PBA students are required to complete at least 45 hours of Workship community service as part of their education—a program started in 1968 that has resulted in over four million hours served by students since its inception. More information about Workship can be found at pba.edu/campus-life/christian-community/workship.
