Excitement filled the air as Hofstra welcomed Pelé on campus for a global soccer conference, just two months shy of the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosted by his homeland, Brazil.
The four-day conference, ‘‘Soccer as the Beautiful Game: Football’s Artistry, Identity and Politics,’’ kicked off on April 10, 2014.
It featured events like keynote addresses, a youth soccer clinic, a banquet and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to celebrate Pelé’s visit.
The plaque that celebrates Pelé visiting Hofstra can be found at the Hofstra Soccer Stadium ticket booth. Photo courtesy of Sayo Adeniji
The conference aimed to, ‘‘examine the sport’s historical, cultural, social, political and economic history, impact and influence for more than a century.’’
Banquet attendees listen to Pelé speak in a dining hall at the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center at Hofstra on April 11, 2014. Photo courtesy of Hofstra University Relations
Hofstra history professors Brenda Elsey and Stanislao Pugliese, who both directed the conference, recommended that Pelé be honored throughout it.
‘‘We had suggested in the proposal that in addition to inviting scholars from all over the world, we would give an honorary degree to Pelé, and the university agreed,’’ Pugliese said. ‘‘We were very grateful for that.’’
Pugliese recalls many people eagerly anticipating the Brazilian soccer legend’s arrival.
‘‘The atmosphere was quite electric, which is not often the case at academic conferences,’’ he said.
Former Hofstra president Stuart Rabinowitz awarded Pelé an honorary doctor of humane letters degree on April 11.
Herman Berliner, right, the then Hofstra provost, places a doctoral hood over Pelé’s shoulders at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on April 11, 2014. This came after former Hofstra president Stuart Rabinowitz, left, congratulated the soccer star on receiving an honorary degree. Photo Courtesy of Hofstra University Relations
During a meet and greet on the 10th floor of the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Pugliese remembers being in awe of Pelé’s patience as he exchanged words with and signed autographs for people.
“He was very gracious and very kind that he allowed everybody to take photographs and he gave autographs,’’ Pugliese said. ‘‘We have these photographs that we very much treasure.’’
Brenda Elsey, left, Pelé and Stanislao Pugliese pose for a picture at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse at Hofstra on April 11, 2014. Photo Courtesy of Hofstra University Relations
Four students were chosen to speak during the honorary degree ceremony, which drew over 1,000 attendees according to a Hofstra press release. They delivered speeches about the impact soccer and Pelé had on their lives.
Lea Hinnen, left, Sara Campolina, Pelé, Hannah Gomes and Shaun Foster pose for a picture backstage at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on April 11, 2014. Photo Courtesy of Hofstra University Relations
Lea Hinnen, who graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and global studies, was one of them.
For Hinnen, who played Division I soccer with the Pride, meeting Pelé was a dream come true. She gave a class presentation about him around the age of 10, but never imagined they would cross paths.
‘‘I’ve always been a huge fan,’’ Hinnen said. ‘‘So then actually meeting him is like wait, is this reality?’’
Hinnen has many fond memories of Pelé’s visit, but seeing a fan’s backstage encounter with the soccer star stands out.
‘‘In the corner was this janitor,’’ Hinnen said. ‘‘And you could see he had a Pelé shirt and a football in his hands, and he was quite shy, but you could tell he wanted to meet him. So, Pelé realized, went up to him and spent like 15 minutes chatting to the guy, signing the ball, signing the shirt.’’
The experience showed Hinnen that Pelé was “not just a class footballer, but an amazing human.”
Shaun Foster, a senior rhetoric major and Hofstra men’s soccer player at the time, also met the superstar.
As a child growing up in Liverpool, England, Foster regularly watched clips of Pelé performing skill moves. The Brazilian icon was one of the players who inspired Foster to play soccer at a high level.
‘‘I actually had a Pelé video, so I used to watch that quite often,’’ he said. ‘‘He was one of them idols as a kid.’’
Foster said meeting Pelé was a surreal experience.
‘‘It’s not often that you get shocked by somebody’s presence, but he obviously has that kind of aura about him,’’ he said. ‘‘He was really down-to-earth and polite when talking to us. You kind of got a sense that he’s not just your regular person. He’s one of the best, if not the best ever.’’
Richard Nuttall, the head coach of Hofstra’s men’s soccer team, always looked up to Pelé and cherishes their encounter to this day.
‘‘I was a little bit awestruck,’’ he said. ‘‘He was a lovely man, welcoming and warm.’’
Pelé, Richard Nuttall and Shaun Foster smile during a meet and greet on the 10th floor of the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library on April 11, 2014. Photo Courtesy of Hofstra University Relations
Some of Nuttall’s friends who were either New York Cosmos ball boys or Pelé’s teammates have always thought highly of the legend.
‘‘All I’ve ever heard is nice things,’’ Nuttall said. “I do know a few people from Santos, Brazil, and they also say he was very kind and philanthropic.’’
It has been nine years since Pelé’s campus visit, but many people still vividly remember meeting him. In their minds, his legacy is more than the special moments he could produce with a ball at his feet. It is also characterized by the warmth he showed to others whether he met them briefly or knew them for a lifetime.
‘‘He was a gentle soul, really kind, great smile,’’ Nuttall said. ‘‘It was just a great experience for me for one of my heroes in life.’’
Photo courtesy of Sayo Adeniji
