Boston College Athletics
BC Weekly Diary With Bobby Thompson
September 06, 2001 | Men's Soccer
August 28, 2001
Pele once said that "soccer is the beautiful game" and so it goes. Two weeks into preseason and the game has never looked so good. Not because we are the best team in the country, but because we are a program that has gone from regional to national status in just a few years time.
The fulfillment of building a team into greatness seems to be much greater than joining a club that has already reached its peak because every individual involved has to fulfill a major roll. This is a huge responsibility for each player, as well as each staff member. After two weeks of intense training, and three scrimmages, it seems that everyone is up for the challenge.
This year's team goals are one hundred percent mental. The talent and passion are there. The confidence and focus of a champion is what this year's squad seeks. Our team is good. Our players include those with experience and heart, like seniors Martin Cantillo, Paul Bourke and Chris Cleary, those who have already established their status among the league and national elite like last year's BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Casey Schmidt, and those newcomers that any team in the country would love to have on its roster like Guy Melamed, Billy Arnault and Paul Chase. The question of how good we will be will be answered by our mental preparation and development throughout the year. But it's been class so far.
One final note about this year's team is that we're having a great time being back together and getting down to the business of playing. We have a pretty close-knit group and we have been enjoying every day of preseason.
The athletic department at BC reminds us that it's a privilege, not a right, to be a varsity athlete and now I'm certain why...I'm having a blast.
