In the fall of 2010, Justin Leskow was already a year out of college and working locally in the Binghamton area. Originally from nearby Endicott, New York, he played for the Bearcat men's soccer team from 2005-08.
Binghamton University had already provided Justin with a degree, a successful playing career and teammates who would become lifelong friends. Little did he know that his association with the university would soon lead to him meeting the person he would eventually consider his best friend.
Ali Castigle, meanwhile, was in the middle of her senior year at Binghamton University in that same fall of 2010. She was gearing up for her final season on the women's lacrosse team. Like Justin, she has enjoyed a successful career and had a strong support system on her team. But she too had little idea what was in store in the months ahead.
Justin and Ali had known of each other through mutual friends but had never actually gotten to know each other before that fall.
"Justin was a bit of a hot shot on campus so I actually wasn't a huge fan when we first met," Ali said. "But the more I talked with him, I realized Justin had an energy about him that was hard to come by – I laughed a lot when I was around him. I don't think either of us realized it then but it was the start of a forever friendship between us."
"Being a few years older than Ali, we never really hung out until after I graduated and was working locally," Justin said. "I thought that Ali was beautiful, fun and very easy to talk to. We spent many late nights talking on the phone and getting to know each other."
Just when Justin and Ali were getting to know each other better, he accepted a job in New Jersey. That left the question as to whether their friendship would continue to blossom into a relationship given the distance between them.
"Soon after we met, Justin got a great job offer and moved to Hoboken (New Jersey) to pursue the opportunity," Ali said. "It was definitely strange timing and we were not sure if we'd keep seeing each other. But after spending New Year's Eve 2011 with 30 of Justin's closest friends, I figured things were getting serious! We continued to chat and visit each other through my last semester."
Sports, friends and family are three of the common values held by both Justin and Ali. He played for a men's soccer team that went to the America East finals in all four of his seasons and won the conference championship in 2006. She played a key role on a women's lacrosse team that was only a decade old but was improving each year. Both of them played for programs that featured a strong family culture.
"The run of success our team had was incredible," Justin said. The foundation that was set by our players was exceptional and moving into the Bearcats Sports Complex my junior year (to play home games) was an experience I will never forget. We were as close-knit of a team and program as I have ever been a part of and I keep in touch with a lot of guys to this day."
"I'm so fortunate to have played alongside some of my very best friends and while we had our challenges through the years, I believe we helped set a foundation that the women's lacrosse program has continued to build on since we left," Ali said. "I am really proud to see where the program is heading and think that Head Coach
Stephanie Allen is one of the most dedicated coaches I've played for."
Both Justin and Ali were all-conference performers in their sports at Binghamton. Each of them has taken that same drive into establishing successful careers. Justin has worked in finance for Bank of America Private Bank Sector since 2011. Ali, meanwhile, has pursued a career in communications and is currently working as a Group Campaign Director at Mission. Through the years, they have supported each other and have come to cherish the other person's finest qualities.
"Ali is the most thoughtful, selfless and fun individual to be around," Justin said. She is my best friend."
"Justin is fiercely loyal to his family and friends and I really admire how he makes time to keep up with so many people in his life. I also quickly got to see the more serious side of Justin where he's incredibly hard working and focused, which can be seen through all his accomplishments throughout his career. I can't imagine my life without Justin and I'm grateful to have him as my teammate for life."
In 2019, Justin and Ali were married and many of their teammates from college joined their families on their special day. It was combination of everything the two of them valued the most.
"Our wedding day was perfect," Justin said. "We were joined by 275 of our closest family and friends, many of who were former Bearcats. I wouldn't change one thing about that day."
"It was the perfect day," Ali said. "We were lucky to be surrounded by so many of our favorite people - and lots of Bearcats! We were lucky enough to have quite a few of them in our bridal party."
Justin and Ali have also been able to reconnect with Binghamton University on another level. During Homecoming Weekend in 2019, they were both asked to come back and be part of the Athletic Department's Alumni Networking Panel to speak with the current senior student-athletes about adjusting to life after college.
"It was great to come back and engage with the current student athletes," Justin said. "I love the opportunity to stay involved with the Athletic Department and help in any way I can. I remember how hard it was to land a job right after college and I was able to leverage some Bearcat relationships to get started, which was very helpful."
Just getting to the Alumni Networking Panel, however, was a challenge in itself for Justin.
"That specific trip would have been made a bit less stressful if Justin had remembered a dress shirt," Ali said. "We had to pit stop with just minutes to spare because a dress shirt never made it in the bag… meaning he left the house with a suit jacket and no shirt. Justin looked like a character out of Miami Vice. I had to beg the lady behind the counter to steam the shirt before we left the store – not one of my finer moments!"
Today, Justin and Ali can look back not just at the Alumni Networking Panel but also a lifetime worth of moments from their years at Binghamton University. They are settled on Long Island and are expecting their first child in June. That baby will no doubt be an honorary Bearcat in their own right because both Justin and Ali consider themselves Bearcats - now and always.
"Binghamton University provided me with an opportunity to play a sport I loved with people I still consider some of my best friends to this day, and receive a world-class education from an institution that is recognized nationally," Justin said. "It allowed me the chance to meet my wife and have a chance to succeed in life. I appreciate all the teachers, Coaches (Paul) Marco and (John) Scott and my teammates for helping me stay out of trouble and help me achieve all I did as an individual and teammate, which has led to my success as a husband, associate, friend and soon-to-be father."
"For me, there were lots of tangible things that came out of my experience at Binghamton University – a great education, a four-year career playing lacrosse among them," Ali said. "But when I think back on my time, it's the intangible things that stick out to me most the things you can't hold in your hand or look up online. I'm forever grateful to have found so many of my favorite people through my time there, especially my husband! The memories and stories are irreplaceable to me and I will always look back on those four years with so much appreciation."
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