Born and raised in South New Jersey, Christian Rafter is a young-man who wears the Italian-American flag of his heritage, proud on his chest. In January of 2022, Christian made the decision to move half-way around the world, to walk in the footsteps of his ancestors, and make a life for himself in Rome.
Almost 17 months later, as his initial time spent in Italy is ending, the 24-year-old has just completed his next step in his education, a master’s degree in Sports Management & Coaching at Rome City Institute. During his time in Italy, Christian made sure to take advantage of every opportunity that was placed before him, to embrace Italian culture from all aspects.
Christian’s Italian-American roots started with his great grandfather, Raffaele Ciccarone. One of the many Italian immigrants who came to America in search of a better life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Raffaele, an Italian native, went looking for a new life in America. Raffaele made the journey from his hometown of Santeramo in Colle, Bari, Italy to Bound Brook, New Jersey when he was just 24 years old, the same age Christian found himself as he made the move in the opposite direction. Like many immigrants of his time, Raffaele faced many challenges as he tried to make a new life for himself in a foreign land.
Years after his move to New Jersey, (where his family still remains today) Raffaele had a granddaughter, Kira Ciccarone, Christian’s mother. While Christian might not be a Ciccarone by name, the Ciccarone blood runs through him and he holds it close to him like a shield of honor. Christian’s mother has strongly supported her son’s decision to experience life in Rome, as she is proud to see her own lineage walk the steps her Grandfather took.
In 2020, with the help of his mother and the rest of her Italian family, Christian’s Italian citizenship was officially recognized. This was an important milestone for him and his family, as it made their connection with Italy only stronger, and created a feel for strengthening that connection. This recognition allows Christian to explore new opportunities for himself as he experiences his Italian heritage, while being a constant reminder of the enduring legacy of Raffaele’s journey to America and the contributions of Italian immigrants to American society.
As for Christian’s athletic history, Christian played four years of NCAA soccer throughout his Undergraduate journey before making the decision to achieve a Master’s Degree at Rome City Institute. Christian spent two years as a student-athlete at Rosemont College, before transferring to Cabrini University to complete his Undergraduate degree.
When Christian arrived at Rome City Institute in the Spring Semester of 2022, he was entering a school year that had been together for a semester already, but that did not stop Christian from settling in immediately. On the pitch, he immediately made an impact for the Rome City team as they were in the middle of the season competing in the Campionato delle Università di Roma. After making good on and off-field connections with the players, Christian became a crucial starting player as he helped lead Rome City to their first title in the competition’s history. Scoring goals and racking up assists along the way, none was more important than his goal in the Semi-Final game, where he opened the scoring at 1-0 and the Rome City team did not look back.
In addition to his athletic and academic achievements during his time in Rome, Christian Rafter has also embraced Italian culture in a number of ways. Christian developed a deep appreciation for Italian music, food, and pop culture. He has dedicated some of his free time to diving into Italian media, and has found a strong appreciation for Italian TV shows such as ‘Suburra’ and ‘Vostro Onore’, listening to Italian Podcasts such as ‘Muschio Salvaggio’ and gaining some new favorite Italian musical artists such as ‘Lazza’ and ‘Shiva’, just to name a few. Through the media and help of friends, Christian has become near fluent in Italian, which has given him new opportunities to connect with locals.
Christian’s passion for Italian, which began mostly through Soccer, has expanded more than he originally thought possible. He has spent time traveling throughout Italy, exploring the country’s many historic landmarks, museums, and art galleries, as well as doing his best to see as many top level soccer games and stadiums as possible.
Recently, Christian had the opportunity to travel to Bari, the city where his family originates from, to watch S.S.C. Bari compete in the Serie B. Christian was struck by the vibrant nature of the massive stadium, as well as the energy among the fans. It was a fantastic experience as he got to witness the passion and dedication of the Bari faithful.
The trip to Bari was a formative experience for Christian, as it deepened his connection to his Italian family and gave him a great understanding of where he came from. It also reinforced his desire to pursue a career in sports management, as he saw firsthand the impact that sports can have on local communities.
The past year and a half worth of experiences have helped Christian develop a unique perspective on the intersection of sports and culture, while also giving him life-experience as he has had to venture out into the world of the unknown. On May 13th, 2023 Christian will walk with his peers and friends during Rome City Institute’s Graduation, and then receive the degree that made all of this possible. After his time abroad, Christian will return to his hometown in New Jersey with a European influence and knowledge in his tool belt that not many else have.
As he steps into the next chapter, and embarks on his new journey in the world of Sports Management and Coaching, Christian carries with him a profound sense of responsibility, knowing that he has the power to shape the lives of athletes and guide them towards their full potential. Christian’s dedication, hard work, and passion for sports, himself, and Italy itself, have all led him to this moment. There is no doubt that Christian will make a significant impact in the lives of the athletes he coaches and the teams he manages, while also taking advantage of all the opportunities that appear before him, the same way he has done throughout his time in Rome.
May he continue to inspire and uplift those around him, and may he always strive for greatness in everything he does. Rome City is proud to know that Christian Rafter will always be a Rome City Lion!