George Washington University Athletics
A True Leader
11/6/2018 2:12:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, My GW: Celebrating our Stories
Monacelli has persevered to lead GW Swimming & Diving
Josh Monacelli's voice dripped with passion.
Coming from anyone else, the message might have gotten lost in the excitement of the start of a new GW swimming and diving season. Instead, the Colonials hung on the senior's every word at their first team meeting back in August.
"Whatever it is that you want to do," Monacelli told his teammates, "be thankful that you're here to have the opportunity to do that."
This was no empty platitude, they knew. This was their leader pushing forward with a trademark strength that long ago earned the respect of the group.
"The fact that he's so adaptable, it's inspiring," senior Tommi Wolst said. "Nothing is going to defeat him. There's nothing that he's not going to try to overcome. That's just his character."
Last winter, Monacelli had his perfectly choreographed plans for the future abruptly altered. A painful-and-baffling ankle injury led to his diagnosis with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that targets the spine.
Shortly after the condition was controlled with medication came devastating news: He'd have to leave GW's NROTC program and end his years-long pursuit of being a Navy pilot.
A dream dashed, Monacelli has persevered. The Florida native is back in the pool leading the Buff and Blue in pursuit of a third straight Atlantic 10 title while charting a new course for what's next with an internship at the Pentagon.
After all that Monacelli has endured over the past year, each day with the Colonials feels like a gift.
"I never used to think that way before this," said Monacelli, who is set to swim in his final home meet Saturday against Howard. "I'll be completely honest with you: There would be days where I was like 'I don't want to be here' or 'I've got this and this going on, so (swimming) isn't that important,' and this kind of really forced me to take a step back and just kind of re-evaluate how lucky we are to be here."
MODEL COLONIAL
Monacelli traces his fascination with flight back to his childhood. Growing up in Florida, his parents would often take him to launches at the nearby Kennedy Space Center.
By the time he reached high school, Monacelli's dream had already started to take shape. His dedication in the classroom led to an NROTC scholarship at GW in hopes of launching a career as a Navy pilot, while his commitment in the pool landed him a roster spot with the Colonials.
From the start, his focus and sense of purpose set him apart, even among the high-achievers on the Smith Center Pool deck.
"Most people get to their senior year and they're still trying to figure it out," assistant coach Katie Stefl said. "For Josh to have it figured out before he even set foot on campus was impressive. I think pretty much right away that level of maturity and dedication to a goal definitely set an example that had an impact on the rest of the team."
Monacelli blazed his own path in Foggy Bottom.
At the time, there were no GW student-athletes in the on-campus NROTC program. He showed it was possible to balance his duties as a midshipman, which included physical training, extra courses in math and science and military training exercises, twice-daily swimming workouts and a demanding academic schedule.
His days often started in the pool before dawn and kept him on the move until dinner time. Then, it was back to his dorm room to do homework.
"It's one of those things where it's all about time management and communication," Monacelli said. "It forces you to be comfortable with being uncomfortable."
That was Monacelli's life at GW, and he excelled at all aspects.
In the pool, Monacelli played a key role in GW's growth into an Atlantic 10 power. He was part of a program-record swim in the 200-yard medley relay and scored in three individual events at the A-10 Championships as a first-year in 2016. As a sophomore, he took 12th in the 200-yard breaststroke to help the Colonials claim their first conference championship.
All the way, Monacelli was known for his care for teammates, intensity in training and concern for the small details that make a difference. It's no surprise he was named a captain last year ahead of his junior season.
"From the very start," senior Nic Reeves said, "Josh really did a lot to make this team what it is today."
Monacelli served as a leader in the NROTC program as a platoon sergeant, even using his passion for swimming to direct a special warfare program at Smith Center Pool that exposed midshipmen to Navy SEAL-style training in the water.
He went to San Diego for a month of Navy training in the summer of 2016, during which he had his first chance to experience flying in planes and helicopters. His dream of serving his country in the skies felt closer than ever.
He was also the only member of the battalion to receive perfect marks on his physical training exam in the fall of his junior year, according to his former class advisor LT Mary Coyne.
"He's just a perfect model for what we're trying to instill in our battalion," Coyne said.
HEART OF A CHAMPION
The pain first hit his right ankle last November. Then, the other one became sore and swollen, too. They looked – and felt – like they were broken.
"I would wake up in the morning, and it would just feel like I was stepping on glass," Monacelli said. "Any time I put weight on them there was just a lot of pain. I really had no idea what was going on."
When the symptoms persisted, Monacelli realized this was certainly not a swimming injury. His weight dropped about 25 pounds in three weeks as a series of doctors tried to determine the problem.
As the Colonials ramped up preparations for championship season, their captain was on crutches with both feet in walking boots, but the same upbeat attitude as ever.
"It's impressive that he didn't really let it affect his attitude at the pool," Stefl remembered. "When he showed up, he was there. He was going to do whatever he could."
It was around the new year that Monacelli finally received his diagnosis.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that has no cure and can cause irreparable damage to the spine if left untreated, but it can be controlled by anti-inflammatory medication. With a shot every two weeks, he can essentially live and train normally.
Once the symptoms subsided, Monacelli raced to get up to speed. Although he'd only been back in the pool a few weeks by the A-10 Championships, the GW staff included him on the exhibition roster.
Monacelli didn't know what to expect when he hit the water for his first live race in months, but he received a hero's welcome from his teammates after hitting the wall in the 100-yard butterfly in a respectable time of 52.08 seconds.
"That kind of spirit is what makes this team so special," Wolst said.
Throughout the four days, a steady stream of teammates told Monacelli how inspiring it was to see him back in action. At the end of four days, he, along with fellow captain Gustav Hokfelt, accepted the A-10 Championship trophy.
"I heard that from a lot of people," Monacelli said. "They were just like 'If you can get up and do that, then we can get up and do our job.' To me, that meant more than anything I would've been able to do if I was healthy and able to contribute that way."
A NEW PLAN
The date remains etched in Monacelli's mind: May 21. That was when he received a phone call from Coyne to come down to the NROTC office.
Monacelli's plan had been to spend part of his summer on a month-long Navy cruise shadowing a junior officer. Instead, he had to wait on word from a Navy medical review board to see if he'd be approved for a medical waiver.
When the verdict arrived via a letter from Florida, Coyne wanted to deliver the news in person: Despite his exemplary record and hard work over three years, the Navy board wouldn't be able to recommend him for commission. It was simply too risky to deploy him given his condition and the importance of his medication.
"I really hate crying in front of students, but I just wept like a baby," Coyne said. "It was awful."
Make no mistake, those first few weeks were devastating for all involved.
"Initially, I was just kind of in shock," Monacelli said. "I was just really upset, confused and just kind of felt helpless. I had done everything over the last three years, and I was this close."
It's no surprise, though, Monacelli had the right attitude to navigate the chaos. There was a walk around the National Mall with Coyne to discuss the decision, and an office sit-down with his Executive Officer, Commander Mark J. Knollmueller, about possible career options.
When Monacelli called his friend Reeves shortly after to share the tough news, he ran down the lengthy list of contacts he'd already consulted to talk about his future.
"It would be perfectly normal, I think, to say 'Well, I feel really bad for myself," or 'This stinks. Why did this have to happen to me?'" Reeves said. "Never once did he say that. It was always 'What can I do next?' It was always looking forward. I think that, in my mind, kind of encompasses what Josh is all about."
Monacelli didn't need to be present a few days later when an on-campus panel met to formally accept the recommendation to disenroll him from the program, but he went anyway.
"I basically thanked them for everything they'd done for me while I was in the unit," Monacelli said. "I told them I was thankful for the opportunity and everything that I'd learned."
Monacelli focused on finding a new way to serve his country. An International Affairs major with a concentration in Security Policy, he got help from Knollmueller to line up an internship at the Pentagon.
Right now, he is working 15 hours per week at the Under Secretary of Defense Policy Office focused on countering weapons of mass destruction around his swimming and academic schedule. He's excited about making more connections in the intelligence community and learning more about the areas he might want to focus on as a career.
Coyne believes it's a good fit because she's seen first-hand how his leadership can make a difference for a group.
"He'll do that no matter where he goes," Coyne said. "He has that quiet determination, the tenacity and the good character to ask the right questions and look out for everyone prior to looking out for himself, which is so unique in a college student."
In a time of difficult personal transition, Monacelli looked to the pool for a sense of normal. He's still down weight from his racing peak, but he's in better shape now thanks to a fitness routine that now includes long-distance running.
Head coach Brian Thomas opted not to name captains in his first season leading the Colonials, but there's no doubt of Monacelli's importance within the program, especially with 18 newcomers on board this fall.
"Josh just totally gets it," Thomas said. "He never has a day when he comes in and doesn't bring it for his teammates."
After a trying year, Monacelli has a newfound appreciation for the early mornings and grueling swim sets. His teammates understand that, too.
That's why his preseason words held such meaning and why the Colonials will continue to listen to him as they try to continue their progress on the A-10 and national scene in the spring.
"I think the biggest thing I've been able to provide is perspective and kind of long-term vision," Monacelli said. "I know that feeling where it's like 'Oh, I've got two midterms this week,' and there's kind of a wall in front of your face.
"I just tell them you have to try to stay positive about things."
Coming from anyone else, the message might have gotten lost in the excitement of the start of a new GW swimming and diving season. Instead, the Colonials hung on the senior's every word at their first team meeting back in August.
"Whatever it is that you want to do," Monacelli told his teammates, "be thankful that you're here to have the opportunity to do that."
This was no empty platitude, they knew. This was their leader pushing forward with a trademark strength that long ago earned the respect of the group.
"The fact that he's so adaptable, it's inspiring," senior Tommi Wolst said. "Nothing is going to defeat him. There's nothing that he's not going to try to overcome. That's just his character."
Last winter, Monacelli had his perfectly choreographed plans for the future abruptly altered. A painful-and-baffling ankle injury led to his diagnosis with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that targets the spine.
Shortly after the condition was controlled with medication came devastating news: He'd have to leave GW's NROTC program and end his years-long pursuit of being a Navy pilot.
A dream dashed, Monacelli has persevered. The Florida native is back in the pool leading the Buff and Blue in pursuit of a third straight Atlantic 10 title while charting a new course for what's next with an internship at the Pentagon.
After all that Monacelli has endured over the past year, each day with the Colonials feels like a gift.
"I never used to think that way before this," said Monacelli, who is set to swim in his final home meet Saturday against Howard. "I'll be completely honest with you: There would be days where I was like 'I don't want to be here' or 'I've got this and this going on, so (swimming) isn't that important,' and this kind of really forced me to take a step back and just kind of re-evaluate how lucky we are to be here."
MODEL COLONIAL
Monacelli traces his fascination with flight back to his childhood. Growing up in Florida, his parents would often take him to launches at the nearby Kennedy Space Center.
By the time he reached high school, Monacelli's dream had already started to take shape. His dedication in the classroom led to an NROTC scholarship at GW in hopes of launching a career as a Navy pilot, while his commitment in the pool landed him a roster spot with the Colonials.
From the start, his focus and sense of purpose set him apart, even among the high-achievers on the Smith Center Pool deck.
"Most people get to their senior year and they're still trying to figure it out," assistant coach Katie Stefl said. "For Josh to have it figured out before he even set foot on campus was impressive. I think pretty much right away that level of maturity and dedication to a goal definitely set an example that had an impact on the rest of the team."
Monacelli blazed his own path in Foggy Bottom.
At the time, there were no GW student-athletes in the on-campus NROTC program. He showed it was possible to balance his duties as a midshipman, which included physical training, extra courses in math and science and military training exercises, twice-daily swimming workouts and a demanding academic schedule.
His days often started in the pool before dawn and kept him on the move until dinner time. Then, it was back to his dorm room to do homework.
"It's one of those things where it's all about time management and communication," Monacelli said. "It forces you to be comfortable with being uncomfortable."
That was Monacelli's life at GW, and he excelled at all aspects.
In the pool, Monacelli played a key role in GW's growth into an Atlantic 10 power. He was part of a program-record swim in the 200-yard medley relay and scored in three individual events at the A-10 Championships as a first-year in 2016. As a sophomore, he took 12th in the 200-yard breaststroke to help the Colonials claim their first conference championship.
All the way, Monacelli was known for his care for teammates, intensity in training and concern for the small details that make a difference. It's no surprise he was named a captain last year ahead of his junior season.
"From the very start," senior Nic Reeves said, "Josh really did a lot to make this team what it is today."
Monacelli served as a leader in the NROTC program as a platoon sergeant, even using his passion for swimming to direct a special warfare program at Smith Center Pool that exposed midshipmen to Navy SEAL-style training in the water.
He went to San Diego for a month of Navy training in the summer of 2016, during which he had his first chance to experience flying in planes and helicopters. His dream of serving his country in the skies felt closer than ever.
He was also the only member of the battalion to receive perfect marks on his physical training exam in the fall of his junior year, according to his former class advisor LT Mary Coyne.
"He's just a perfect model for what we're trying to instill in our battalion," Coyne said.
HEART OF A CHAMPION
The pain first hit his right ankle last November. Then, the other one became sore and swollen, too. They looked – and felt – like they were broken.
"I would wake up in the morning, and it would just feel like I was stepping on glass," Monacelli said. "Any time I put weight on them there was just a lot of pain. I really had no idea what was going on."
When the symptoms persisted, Monacelli realized this was certainly not a swimming injury. His weight dropped about 25 pounds in three weeks as a series of doctors tried to determine the problem.
As the Colonials ramped up preparations for championship season, their captain was on crutches with both feet in walking boots, but the same upbeat attitude as ever.
"It's impressive that he didn't really let it affect his attitude at the pool," Stefl remembered. "When he showed up, he was there. He was going to do whatever he could."
It was around the new year that Monacelli finally received his diagnosis.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that has no cure and can cause irreparable damage to the spine if left untreated, but it can be controlled by anti-inflammatory medication. With a shot every two weeks, he can essentially live and train normally.
Once the symptoms subsided, Monacelli raced to get up to speed. Although he'd only been back in the pool a few weeks by the A-10 Championships, the GW staff included him on the exhibition roster.
Monacelli didn't know what to expect when he hit the water for his first live race in months, but he received a hero's welcome from his teammates after hitting the wall in the 100-yard butterfly in a respectable time of 52.08 seconds.
"That kind of spirit is what makes this team so special," Wolst said.
Throughout the four days, a steady stream of teammates told Monacelli how inspiring it was to see him back in action. At the end of four days, he, along with fellow captain Gustav Hokfelt, accepted the A-10 Championship trophy.
"I heard that from a lot of people," Monacelli said. "They were just like 'If you can get up and do that, then we can get up and do our job.' To me, that meant more than anything I would've been able to do if I was healthy and able to contribute that way."
A NEW PLAN
The date remains etched in Monacelli's mind: May 21. That was when he received a phone call from Coyne to come down to the NROTC office.
Monacelli's plan had been to spend part of his summer on a month-long Navy cruise shadowing a junior officer. Instead, he had to wait on word from a Navy medical review board to see if he'd be approved for a medical waiver.
When the verdict arrived via a letter from Florida, Coyne wanted to deliver the news in person: Despite his exemplary record and hard work over three years, the Navy board wouldn't be able to recommend him for commission. It was simply too risky to deploy him given his condition and the importance of his medication.
"I really hate crying in front of students, but I just wept like a baby," Coyne said. "It was awful."
Make no mistake, those first few weeks were devastating for all involved.
"Initially, I was just kind of in shock," Monacelli said. "I was just really upset, confused and just kind of felt helpless. I had done everything over the last three years, and I was this close."
It's no surprise, though, Monacelli had the right attitude to navigate the chaos. There was a walk around the National Mall with Coyne to discuss the decision, and an office sit-down with his Executive Officer, Commander Mark J. Knollmueller, about possible career options.
When Monacelli called his friend Reeves shortly after to share the tough news, he ran down the lengthy list of contacts he'd already consulted to talk about his future.
"It would be perfectly normal, I think, to say 'Well, I feel really bad for myself," or 'This stinks. Why did this have to happen to me?'" Reeves said. "Never once did he say that. It was always 'What can I do next?' It was always looking forward. I think that, in my mind, kind of encompasses what Josh is all about."
Monacelli didn't need to be present a few days later when an on-campus panel met to formally accept the recommendation to disenroll him from the program, but he went anyway.
"I basically thanked them for everything they'd done for me while I was in the unit," Monacelli said. "I told them I was thankful for the opportunity and everything that I'd learned."
Monacelli focused on finding a new way to serve his country. An International Affairs major with a concentration in Security Policy, he got help from Knollmueller to line up an internship at the Pentagon.
Right now, he is working 15 hours per week at the Under Secretary of Defense Policy Office focused on countering weapons of mass destruction around his swimming and academic schedule. He's excited about making more connections in the intelligence community and learning more about the areas he might want to focus on as a career.
Coyne believes it's a good fit because she's seen first-hand how his leadership can make a difference for a group.
"He'll do that no matter where he goes," Coyne said. "He has that quiet determination, the tenacity and the good character to ask the right questions and look out for everyone prior to looking out for himself, which is so unique in a college student."
In a time of difficult personal transition, Monacelli looked to the pool for a sense of normal. He's still down weight from his racing peak, but he's in better shape now thanks to a fitness routine that now includes long-distance running.
Head coach Brian Thomas opted not to name captains in his first season leading the Colonials, but there's no doubt of Monacelli's importance within the program, especially with 18 newcomers on board this fall.
"Josh just totally gets it," Thomas said. "He never has a day when he comes in and doesn't bring it for his teammates."
After a trying year, Monacelli has a newfound appreciation for the early mornings and grueling swim sets. His teammates understand that, too.
That's why his preseason words held such meaning and why the Colonials will continue to listen to him as they try to continue their progress on the A-10 and national scene in the spring.
"I think the biggest thing I've been able to provide is perspective and kind of long-term vision," Monacelli said. "I know that feeling where it's like 'Oh, I've got two midterms this week,' and there's kind of a wall in front of your face.
"I just tell them you have to try to stay positive about things."
Players Mentioned
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