Club Feature: Soccer Club

The newly ratified Soccer Club offers students a space to play soccer and to foster a community of individuals with similar interests and love for the sport.

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(Photo Credit: Adrian Panopio)

A newly ratified club joins the family of sports clubs that Wright College has to offer. Jonathan Yupa-Guaman, president of Soccer Club as well as Martin Perez, an active member of the club speaks on their experience of starting the club as well as their goal (no pun intended) for the rest of the year!

Tell me a little bit about yourself! What is your name, major and some other things you want to share

“My name is Jonathan and I'm a biology major. I've been playing soccer with my friend Alejandro since you were 6 years old”

What made you want to start a soccer club on campus?

“I got in touch with the head of Student Activities and I mentioned to her that there were a bunch of people that wanted to play soccer but no one wanted to step in to be an e-board member for the club to get it started. I wanted to start this club to inspire people and to create an environment where people can share their experience and talent and help each other become better players and individuals in soccer”

(Photo Courtesy: Xander Cardona)

Considering we have several other clubs trying to compete for space and time in the gym, how was it trying to find a time for your club to go practice in?

“It was really hard to find time and space for our club . The only time that was available was Friday and even with that, not all of our team members can come on that day- only half of us can attend. I would have preferred to have our club practice on Mondays and Wednesdays but those times were full.”

What are your plans for the club going forward? Any events? Are you planning on competing against other students or faculty outside of the club or even outside of Wright?

“I was talking to my teammates and one of the events that we wanted to host was an event with faculty, like a faculty vs. student game. We also wanted to play a friendly match against Malcolm X’s soccer team. For the staff vs. student event, we are looking to host it before the semester ends in late November or early December. And in regards to the game with Malcolm X- it might have to wait until the spring semester"

(Photo Courtesy: Xander Cardona)

How did you find out about Soccer Club? And what made you join it? Do you have any previous experience in soccer such as in HS or whatnot?

“My name is Martin Perez and I first found out about Soccer Club on Wright life as well as on the bulletin board in the cafeteria. I wanted to join because I haven't played in over 3 years and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to play with other students."

Do you find your time in soccer club to be enjoyable and helpful in bettering your soccer skills?

“Of course. I get to meet new people with different skills and try to better ourselves. We learn from each other and we are all a family.”

What would you say to someone who might not know how soccer works but wants to try it out?

“We are a relaxed group, we're not too serious. We are here to just have fun, even if that means just passing the ball around during practice. We would love for more people to join, whether they have little experience in soccer or are seasoned players.”

Soccer Club meets in the Gymnasium located in the events building every Friday from 12:30 to 2:30!