George Padin a 'Whiz Kid' On and Off Court

A two-sport senior captain who takes four AP classes, Fort Lee’s George Padin has never shied away from life’s challenges. In fact, this whiz kid embraces and welcomes them.

From the time the senior wakes up every morning at 6:40 a.m. until the late hour that he goes to sleep, George is always looking to do the best that he possibly can in whatever he is trying to accomplish.  

With a schedule that includes a full day of school and a game or practice every night, this basketball-dribbling, soccer-kicking, A-student is well recognized at Fort Lee for his non-stop drive.  

“I’m always seeing him in the halls, walking with books and talking with the teachers,” said sophomore guard Nick Gentile. “He is a great student and a great athlete.”

Padin’s rare blend of sports success and academic achievements is one thing, but it is the way that he does it that truly elevates George to another level.

“He takes no days off,” said Padin’s basketball coach John Ziemba. “And then when he leaves [the gym], he goes home and academically [George] is tremendous. He is just a great example of what a student athlete is.”

Padin’s eyes are fixated on the mission of reaching his many goals as a student and as an athlete.

“You really have to be focused on what you do,” said Padin. “I know I want to succeed. I want to succeed in class and on the [playing] field as well. In order to do both, you have to pay equal attention to both.”

So when classes end at three o’clock, George goes straight to basketball practice as he shifts his focus from the books to the ball. Then he transitions again after practice as Padin goes right back to studying until his head touches the pillow and the senior calls it a night.

When asked if he ever takes a break, George simply said, “I wish I could.” He also added, “Not now. I need to keep on going.”

Where other students would be tempted to watch television or do something they may regret, Padin is happy with his time management skills and the mentors who inspired him to live this way.

“Without my parents developing my character and shaping my character, I wouldn’t be the man I am today,” said George of his parents Lola and Joseph.

Their son led the Bridgemen soccer team to a state tournament appearance this season as an award-winning defender, and he carries those same leadership qualities to the court as the lone senior captain on a much younger basketball team.

“The bottom line is he keeps us in order,” added coach Ziemba. “He is a tremendous defender who talks to everybody.”

Even as Padin averages fewer than two points per game, his contributions derail the idea that a leader needs to score 20 or 30 points a night.

In practice, George is seen sprinting through drills and talking younger teammates through the plays. In the game, he yells out coverages and is a key offensive distributer.

These characteristics of teamwork and leadership were even shown in sophomore year for Padin when coach Ziemba started the 5’8” underclassman at the normally taller and highly regarded position of center.

“His first year he played center and I think I got a lot of looks from people saying why,” said the head coach. “But until you coach him and until you see what he does every day out there, you realize why.”

These qualities have also grown on his fellow players like Nick Gentile, who has learned a lot from George in his two years as Padin’s teammate.

“He is so special to us because he is our captain,” Gentile said. “I actually look up to him. Ever since I saw him play when I was younger, I knew I had to be that kid with the good grades and the leader of the team. I wanted to be like George.”

As the team plays on presently during the final few weeks of the season, George Padin is also looking to the future as he continues his non-stop pursuit.

Padin wants to attend his dream school of Boston University in the fall to major in physical therapy. He has talked to Fort Lee trainer Tom Hur about the proper classes and wants to follow a similar path that combines his love for sports and school.

“I have always been close to sports, I’ve had my share of injuries in the past, and I have been in certain physical therapy facilities” added Padin on his decision to pursue the discipline. “I’ve really been drawn to that field and I love the whole environment of it. Hopefully I will be able to continue a pursuit and career in that field.”

As George Padin looks towards one of his largest goals, he is being looked back on favorably by his peers. Not only for what he has accomplished in school or in sports, but the type of person he has become in life.

“He is the nicest person you’ll ever meet off the floor and even on the court,” Gentile said. “He is the nicest person to everybody.”