The Final Chapter - UW Oshkosh Men's Soccer 2015 by Daniel Kobin

THE

FINAL CHAPTER UW

OSHKOSH MEN’S 2015

SOCCER

31 YEARS OF HISTORY ONE FINAL SEASON

SAVEU W OSOCCER DANIEL

KOBIN

The purpose of this magazine is to relfect on the tradition and success of the UW Oshkosh menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer program. This also serves as final projects for Daniel Kobinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Interactive Web Management degree as well as his Media Photo II portfolio.

All photos are property of Daniel Kobin with the exception of two photos. Two photos have been provided by Toby Bares himself.

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

SAVEUWOSOCCER

The SAVEUWOSOCCER campaign has been a long and agonizing one. The amount of people that have been involved in some way is too long to list. A wide variety of coaches, players, students, parents, alumni, professors, friends, journalists, community members and more have all contributed to the efforts made to save the UW Oshkosh men’s soccer program. Chancellor Leavitt couldn’t have been any more wrong when he once stated that this decision only affects 35 players. While this magazine contains coverage of the final season, credit needs to go to those who have paved the way for the current members of the program. The alumni base is a large, successful one. Establishing over 30 years of tradition and success takes numerous cycles of talented players and men. The program has nurtured some amazing people and every single alumni needs to be credited for the success of the program over the years. The Chancellor and Athletic Director are both making a huge mistake by cutting this program. Its legacy will continue on even in spite of the administration’s ludicrous decision. While nobody wants it to happen, I can only predict the continued downfall of not only the athletic department, but also the university as a whole if decisions like this continue. Here’s to over 30 years of success, here’s to the UW Oshkosh men’s soccer program - DK

SAVEU W OSOCCER

A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION TO CUT THE MEN’S SOCCER PROGRAM

ONE-ON-ONE WITH OSHKOSH LOCAL AND UWO GOALKEEPER SAM GABRILSKA

INTO THE MIND OF UWO MEN’S SOCCER HEAD COACH WYTSE MOLENAAR

THE MAN BEHIND DECADES OF SUCCESS FOR UW OSHKOSH MEN’S SOCCER: TOBY BARES

Q&A WITH SENIOR DEFENDER AND TEAM LEADER MATT CHEANEY

FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGIATE SOCCER, A CHAT WITH THE 2015 FRESHMEN

BUDGET TITLE IX AQ

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

n April 6, 2015, the University of Wisconsin announced that upon completion of the 2015/2016 season, the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer program would be cut. Nobody impacted by the decision saw it coming. One individual made the decision: Athletic Director Darryl Sims. The newly appointed Chancellor Andrew Leavitt simply supported the decision. Since the spring announcement, there has been a hurricane of miscommunication, lies and transparency issues from the administration. Initially four criteria were stated to have been used in the decision making process by Athletic Director Sims. All four of them are flawed. For months the administration couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give a straight answer to the reasoning. There still remains uncertainty over the decision making process, and the administration refuses to cooperate with those trying to save the program. The administration could not have possibly mismanaged communications more.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

BUDGET CUTS

AUTOMATIC QUALIFIER

As Gov. Scott Walker’s budget cuts begin to impact universities around the state, Chancellor Leavitt must prepare for the hit UWO will take. Instead of trimming money from programs across the athletic department, Leavitt and Sims felt compelled to cut two programs entirely. Cutting both programs will save only about 2% of the roughly $1 million athletic department budget. Listed in the April press release was the statement that the operating budgets of both programs will be reallocated to other sports programs. It should be noted that per the April press release the minimum operating budgets of both men’s soccer and men’s tennis will be reallocated to other sports programs at the university. Interesting.

An automatic qualifier (AQ) is an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament given to winners of recognized conferences or conference championships. Conferences with seven or more teams are eligible for AQ status. While it would be nice to have the opportunity to advance to postseason play through this, UWO men’s soccer has shown throughout its history that it can be successful as an independent school. 14 NCAA appearances, four Final Four appearances, 31 straight winning seasons. An AQ is simply not necessary.

According to the committee, in only a few months the SAVEUWOSOCCER campaign raised over $60,000 in pledges. The Chancellor and AD have repeatedly refused to accept fundraising dollars to sustain the program, claiming that this just isn’t the way they want to do things. One look across the state, and even nation, and one can find numerous examples of programs that were successfully sustained by private funding. To not even give the program a chance to save itself is reprehensible. THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

TITLE IX Part of the reasoning behind the decision was to better align with Title IX. According to Title IX, it cannot be used to cut programs, but simply to add programs. This is a direct violation of Title IX, and it is astonishing that the administration would list this as a reason.

CONFERENCE The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) now consists of only four teams: UW Oshkosh, UW Whitewater, UW Platteville and Finlandia (three if Finlandia leaves). UW Superior left the conference going into the 2015 season while Finlandia remains on the fence to whether they’ll leave or not. A conference must have at least five teams in order to have a recognized conference championship. The WIAC has only had two conference championships, and has only been an actual conference since 2009.

The end goal is always a national title, year after year. In the summer, the Chancellor finally met with soccer alumni and essentially told told them that the soccer program would only remain if it had a conference to live in. With that being said, why has nothing been done to search for other conferences or other schools to join the WIAC? Athletic Director Sims stated in a public forum following the decision that the WIAC commissioner had looked around for other conferences, but to no success. Alumni contacted the commissioner about this and he stated that he had not done this, but reiterated that it was the responsibility of athletic directors to search for new conferences.

The Chancellor and AD continue to stress their desire for all sports programs at UWO to remain in the WIAC. Men’s soccer at UWO has proved over time that it can be successful on a national level as an independent, featuring 14 times in the NCAA tournament in the last 25 years. The April press release stated that one of the overall goals of this decision was to better the student-athlete experience. If the Chancellor and AD truly think that a conference championship is worth more than a national title, then they must be fools. Nobody plays soccer for UW Oshkosh to win a conference championship.

The lies continued as Sims finally met with the men’s soccer team. When asked if he had done anything to search for new conferences to join in order to save the program, the players received an abrupt “no.” When asked if he would do anything in the future to help save the program, another blunt “no” was given.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

The last few months have been a frustrating and tiring venture for anyone involved with the SAVEUWOSOCCER campaign. The communication issues from the administration have become frequent and laughable. AD Sims has publically stated that he isn’t doing his job. It’s still tough to figure out what the true reasoning behind the cuts are. More and more bad publicity appears for the administration, but it seems as though the Chancellor won’t budge. It’s hard to imagine that a chancellor in his first year would want to stain his legacy like this from the beginning. UW Oshkosh men’s soccer players always face adversity as an independent school. Every match is a playoff match. This is just another obstacle to overcome. Although the journey to save the program has felt like fighting a brick wall, players, coaches, alumni, parents, friends, families and community members won’t rest until the program is back.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

OUR LORD OUR SAVIOR OUR KEEPER

rom Sunday men’s league matches to nationally ranked collegiate matchups, UW Oshkosh goalkeeper Sam Gabrilska hasn’t exactly taken the traditional route that many of his teammates have taken. Gabrilska already has a WIAC Championship, WIAC Defender of the Year award and, as of the end of the 2015 regular season, a 0.398 goals against average under his belt. Facing enormous amounts of pressure each match as the last line of defence, Gabrilska somehow manages to keep his cool day in day out. Top class saves have become regular features in his gameplay with the idea that he should never let a goal in, even if it was never savable. Gabrilska’s level of concentration is transcendent, and this has led to him becoming one of the nation’s top shotstoppers.

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

You’ve not really had much high-end experience with soccer coming into college as other teammates have had. How did you end up playing for UW Oshkosh?

other team’s favor. Just how unpredictable it can be and how it always keeps you on your toes.

I started getting into playing indoor soccer a lot at the YMCA here in Oshkosh and we’d play for any teams that needed people. One of teams was the UW Oshkosh alumni team and the assistant coach/former player Andy Kohel played on that team. They never had a goalie and asked me to play for them. He liked how I played even though I never played goalie throughout my whole career before that. Kohel told Wytse about me and he gave me a call and offered me a spot on the team to play in the summer. I originally told him no, but then Wytse gave me a ring later that night. After a couple hours of convincing me to come out, the next day I called him back and told him I’d give it a shot. The rest is kind of history. How have you adapted to the collegiate level? [For] not having played on a really competitive club team or even high school team, it was a big jump from what I was used to, especially with playing just recreationally and being two years removed from playing high school. It was a big jump. It was really just letting it come to me and not trying to force anything while learning through other people. [Former goalkeeper] Nick Barry was a huge influence. There were times where I’d just sit there and watch him and try to learn from what he was doing and how he handles situations and adapt that to my game and what I was doing.

People always say that goalkeepers are crazy. How to you keep yourself sane and focused back there for the entire match? The best thing that I tell myself to do and what I think is probably the most important thing in goalkeeping, besides being able to stop a shot, is communication; constantly communicating to the people on your team about where they should be, where runners are coming from and where they are going, who’s open, who they should step to, even when we’re attacking and talking to them across the field. Just keeping myself in the game is a great way to stay active and involved. You’re a pretty laid-back guy and never seem to lose your temper. Do you ever get really mad at your defenders? In my head I do a lot. Thinking back over the last couple years, I constantly remind myself of some of the stupidest things I’ve done. I understand that people make mistakes, and I think that’s what I’m constantly reminded of. Our coach Wytse does enough of the yelling and it gets through to our guys’ heads. I try to lift them up a little bit. If something bad happens I usually try to take the fall for it because there’s always something that I could’ve done differently.

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE A BREAK, AND EVERYTIME THAT YOU DO, SOMETHING SEEMS TO HAPPEN. What’s your favorite part about soccer in general? The fact that it just constantly goes. You can never have a break, and every time that you do, something seems to happen. Especially at goalie when you finally think that a game is done or you’re consistently dominating throughout a match; all it takes is just one unlucky bounce and the game can swing completely in the

If you could play any field position, where would you play? Do you think you could start over any of the guys there right now? I could start over every single person that I’ve played with, played against or even thinks about playing with me. I just chose to be a goalie because I don’t like running.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

As someone who has grown up in Oshkosh, what does it mean to you to represent the university on the pitch? It means a lot. Growing up in this area, you always hear about the men’s soccer team. That’s one of the things you hear most about collegiate athletic wise simply because of the success they have each and every year and how they are always a contender down the stretch into the NCAA tournament. It just added to the experience and how much that I wanted to play with them. From knowing Toby [Bares], I was constantly around him and got to see the way he coached and how he handled his players and how he coached the game. It was a great thing to see and that’s somebody who you want to play for and to play for the legacy that he passed on with this program. It’s been really special to be a part of that. Can you tell us why the university decided to cut the men’s soccer program? I wish I could tell you that, but with all the lies and everything that we’ve heard, it’s hard to believe anything. The one thing that they go on is that we don’t have a conference. I think we’re answering that bell with this season by bringing back almost all of our players and recruits and still fighting for an NCAA tournament spot at the end of the year and to be nationally ranked. With the budget, it doesn’t make much sense either. We have pledges to run our program for two years, so if they’re concerned with money not being able to come in, it doesn’t make much sense because we already have enough for the two years.

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

I feel like a completely different person now and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mainly contributed to playing with the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer team and all of the experiences that come with it.

Even though you are coming to the end of your school career at UW Oshkosh, what does the program cut mean to you and how are you impacted by it? It impacts me a lot not because it affects me playing, but the fact that the people coming into college, the people that are going into high school not even knowing where they want to go yet for college to play soccer won’t have that opportunity. It was a life-changing opportunity for me just where I was at in school and life. Soccer turned me around and made me realize a lot of things and had me a lot more committed to school. I feel like a completely different person now and that’s mainly contributed to playing with the men’s soccer team and all of the experiences that come with it. It really hurts a lot not just because the program is being cut now for players, but the fact that other people won’t have the same opportunity for me. Without soccer and without being able to play on the team I’m not sure if I would even be in school right now, and I’m not sure where I’d be in life right now.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

SAVEU W OSOCCER

De baas heeft altijd gelijk The boss is always right

tanding at well over 6 feet tall with a booming voice that slips into the Dutch language now and then, Wytse Molenaar is an intimidating presence at first glance. Precision and committment has seen Molenaar achieve heaps of success while head coach at UW Oshkosh. He’s Dutch, perhaps a bit arrogant, but he’s successful. If this is truly the final season for the men’s soccer program, then they have been in good hands these last few years under Molenaar.

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

SAVEU W OSOCCER

UWO men’s soccer has an incredible tradition of suc- Why do you think the university is cutting the soccess. Did you ever feel any pressure having to follow in cer program? Have they given a clear reason yet? the footsteps of Coach Bares? I don’t know if I’d call it pressure. I think I put high expectations on myself as well as anybody that would play for a team that I coach. I think it was in a way a great thing to follow in his footsteps because I knew it was a great foundation. When we went to the playoffs in 2010, at that moment when you go to the Final Four, there’s some added pressure maybe to finally get a national title. I think this program deserves that in a way. Because of the fantastic tradition, it’s really tough obviously to crank off six great games in a row to win a title. This program has shown over 32 years of history that a lot of NCAA playoff games were won and unfortunately it’s never been that last one. I’ve just felt that it was great to step into a program with such fantastic tradition. You are constantly stressing the importance of growth as a player as well as a man. What is your objective when developing players on and off the field?

It’s December 2015 and it’s been eight or nine months [since the announcement] and I have no idea. I’d be lying if I’d say I really know—I don’t. I don’t get it, and maybe my vantage point is somewhat skewed because I’m a soccer guy and I am affiliated with this program, but I am also an alum here as a student. I think it’s really a shame that a program with this history, but more than anything, a program that brought something to this university from a diversity perspective, from an enthusiasm perspective. I think a lot of people even within [the athletic department] have forgotten what the soccer guys brought from a student-athlete support perspective. That started out with the soccer athletes a couple years ago and those are things that are going to be missed. And that’s a shame. I also believe that it hurts the university as a whole, and I don’t want that. I am still a proud Titan as a student, not just as a coach here. I think it may hurt the university because there will be very few former Titans that will be able to think and talk positively about the university. There probably is always going to be a bitter taste in their mouth towards the university which I think is a shame and probably a consequence that wasn’t thought through well enough. I think there’s been a lot of missed opportunities. There was never really a solution-oriented thought process of ‘how can we make this work’ based on whatever factors were the reasons. I think that’s a missed opportunity and I believe that most people see that and that has unfortunately come through this whole process.

I’ve just felt that it was great to step into a program with such fantastic tradition.

That they see the soccer piece for what it is. It is really a great mechanism to come out with something extra in comparison to your average student that goes to a university. I want to show people through the team piece, in the end, how you can express yourself through athleticism and how you can behave [and] what that can do for you later. I think that it’s a great stepping stone to challenges later in life. You learn so much from being part of a team specifically that can do so much for you later on, not just through relationships, but also the dynamic of how to function as a team.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

How did the decision impact the final season for everyone? It’s hard to tell. It may have in some ways helped maybe. But at the end of the day it mostly hurt because I did sense there was a tad bit too much pressure, that if they didn’t keep it going, that’d be it. If they could keep it going, at least there’s some attention to it with everything that was going on. We were a very together group before that announcement. The group dynamic was very, very good and that it was a tight-knit group that was going to have success no matter what. We probably lost a few pieces because of the announcement. So it had a negative effect on that perspective. It’s hard to say. I think there was some added pressure for sure near the end that didn’t help us. I’m not sure if there was some upside to it. What does this program mean to you and how has the decision affected you on a personal level? I hadn’t taken much time to have that whole thing settle in for myself. I made a conscious decision to stay with the program last spring. When the announcement came I took a couple of weeks and talked about what does that mean for [my family] and me and was I going to stay on. I made a conscious decision to stay here with the guys because I felt it was the right thing to do towards the program, towards Toby [Bares], who had stuck in the most part of his life towards building this program, towards the alumni and just towards the entire program as a whole. I felt that I had an obligation to stay here and fight for it with those who were involved. THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

The thought of how did it affect me didn’t settle in until the season was over here—it’s affected me. I have been around this area for quite a while and if I want to stay in college coaching and this program is not there anymore, then I’m going to have to look around. I do want to look at it and say ‘hey, it might have a positive effect,’ on a personal level that is. I’m not the kind of person to let it have a negative effect on me. There’s too many things in life that I cherish too much to have something like this, a decision really that is not in my control, have an effect on my personal well being. What’s the most important thing you want players to understand after coaching them throughout their college careers? I hope they took away that we tried to create a family environment here. It’s important to me with a college program, and even with the club I’m involved in, to not just have it be a ‘I’m here to play’ type of thing, but to really be part of a bigger family with all of the ups and downs and the things that come with that. But more than anything I want everybody to walk out of here after they’re done playing for this program with a sense that my door was always open for them and if there was anything that they wanted to talk about that they could, which is again part of being a family—there’s nothing that we can’t share with each other. Family, that’s probably the biggest piece.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

What’s been your most memorable moment throughout your time as the head coach at UWO? There isn’t one. There are many. I can tell you this: they’re not on the field, they’re all off the field. They’re all probably related to whether it’s a trip to Holland, or a road trip with games in California or Oregon, or being on a pier in Duluth, Minnesota, things that happen on the bus or in the locker room. Little things like that I think are things that you remember more than anything. I’m competitive and I value the matches, but on the other hand I’m not the type of guy that will remember the winning goal, I’ll remember all of those other things. I won’t remember wins and losses when I take my last breath, but the people and the things that we experience together, those are the things that I remember and there are too many to name.

You’re known to have quite the temper on the sidelines when it comes to reffing. Care to explain what all of those Dutch words mean? I think sometimes it’s taken a little bit out of context. To me, I’m enthusiastic about the games. I realize, and I think I’ve always told my players that, too, that I’m not perfect and I make mistakes; that’s just the way it is. But I think you have to be able to put emotions from matches aside after matches. It’s probably a little bit of a cultural difference even from where I grew up to here in the Midwest. Just because I don’t agree with something doesn’t mean I dislike someone. The Dutch words are probably more of a mechanism for myself to make sure that I don’t say other things that I shouldn’t say. It’s good to speak some Dutch every once in a while since I don’t do it on a daily basis.

As players get older through their careers, they usually have to adapt their style of play. As a coach, have you seen yourself and your coaching philosophies change over the years? I would say from a coaching philosophy, I think there’s nothing that can form you better than experience. Maybe as a less experienced coach you would make a huge change where with a little more experience you recognize that it’s a little tweak rather than a big change. It’s not just through games, but also gaining experience through interactions with colleagues. From a game management perspective, sometimes you do, again with experience, recognize that now it is a moment to make a change. Did I change? Yes. Did I change my philosophy or approach to the game itself and how I thought we should play? That hasn’t changed a lot. There maybe have been little adjustments with it. I think I’ve gained more experience and how to maybe read and deal with certain high-stress situations and when to make a big change and when to make a small tweak.

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

The people and the things that we experience together, those are the things that I remember, and there are too many to name.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

SAVEU W OSOCCER

The

Oracle The man who established the tradition and success of the UW Oshkosh men’s soccer program from the ground up: Toby Bares.

or almost 30 years, the UW Oshkosh men’s soccer program was headed by Toby Bares. Throughout this era Bares set the standard for Division III soccer, as well as the student-athlete experience. The Titans recorded 25 consecutive winning seasons under Bares, and featured in the NCAA tournament 11 times as well as the Final Four three times. Upon retiring back in 2010, Bares had achieved an overall record of 344-99-39. Remarkable. The success has helped establish UWO as a national contender each season. His work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2011 the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association inducted Bares into the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame. But beyond the numbers, Bares remained an advocate of the student-athlete experience. Bares had a vision and a philosphy that helped produce fantastic athletes as well as men.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

How difficult was it to try to build a soccer culture back during a time when the sport was often neglected?

You’ve had 25 winning seasons as a coach at UW Oshkosh. What was the key to your success throughout all those years?

Surprisingly not as difficult as one might think. Obviously soccer is growing, but even by the mid-80’s, the reason why I came to Oshkosh in particular, in the Fox Valley soccer was pretty well established, so it wasn’t trying to explain to people what the sport was about. At the time, the university had a very forward-thinking athletic department and they could see that this was an inevitability that soccer is a sport within the high schools that was going to continue to grow and grow. I think one of the biggest challenges initially recruiting was just explaining to people that yes we actually have a varsity soccer program. There had been a club here before, and as matter of fact a lot of state schools even back then had club teams. In the Valley there was some pretty established high school and club things going on already.

A couple things, but first and foremost is having players that buy into your vision. Obviously in college athletics it’s about getting the talent, too, so there needs to be those two things. I’ve always said that it will work if you’re on this team and have a passionate about the game, and second point is that you have to be good with and for your teammates. My job is to find guys like that that have the talent that can compete eventually within the state and nationally. It was never so much about putting on a blackboard ‘this is the year we seek a national ranking’—you take that base and you work each day to be better not just on the field but in the classroom as a person. If you take that philosophy and it keeps going, then when you compete, the wins are just a byproduct of that commitment.

“There have been so many fantastic individuals that I was priviledged to have had the chance to work with” At what point in your life did you know that soccer was What’s was your favorite part about being the men’s a passion? soccer coach at UW Oshkosh? Coaching was something for me that even in high school and beyond was almost like a calling. The irony that it wound up that I coached soccer just was, not total happenstance, but coming out of grad school, one of the first places that I worked, Cortland State in upstate New York near Syracuse, had a tremendous DIII program. Back then it was easier in the offseason, I could play along with the guys and got involved in that way. At the next couple colleges that I worked at, I volunteered as an assistant coach because that was the sport and passion of mine. There just happened to be those opportunities. I didn’t go to any of those places for the soccer, it was for professional reasons. By the time I came to Oshkosh, it was like well, if I’m ever going to give this a go, I didn’t want to get to be 50 and say I wish I would’ve tried this in a head coach position. Trying it for a couple years turned into a couple decades and I’m very grateful that I made that leap. THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

Without a doubt the association with all the players. There are very few jobs where you get to pick everybody you work with so to speak. There have been so many fantastic individuals that I was privileged to have had the chance to work with. I think throughout the years I’ve probably gotten more out of the experience than the players. In the midst of coaching a long time, as I see how so many of them have moved on and upwards with what they do in their lives, it’s just been phenomenal and it’s been very rewarding to realize from their perspective that I had an influence in them trying to get from point A to point B. That without a doubt is the greatest satisfaction I have. I think at heart I’m an educator, and that’s why even in spite of chances to go into a Division I setting, I wanted to stay in Division III because I knew that my philosophy and vision fit very well with the student that happens to be a good athlete as well.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

Previous Bares gives one of his famous speaches.

You created a legacy with the UWO men’s soccer program. What’s going through your mind knowing that it might all be wiped out with this decision?

It’s without a doubt been the toughest scenario in my professional life and personally, too, because obviously you put your heart and soul into something. The charge with any coach and sport is, as per the mission of the athletic department and the university, that you stand and deliver on excellence, that you make sure that that permeates not just on the field of competition but in the classroom and as individuals and that you embrace university things such as diversity. So to see that not being recognized when from my perspective it’s very evident, well that’s very disappointing. I think that our teams and personally myself, too, we move forward and whatever setbacks there are, well if not today, then the next day. And if not the next day, then the day after. We all keep plugging away with our challenges. We all make Left decisions on what’s of value and how do you respond Bares speaks to players during the to things and always look to work towards solutions. 1991 season. Whether it’s a short term or a long term thing, those are all decisions we have to make as far as what’s the perceived value and take steps forward. We all deal with setbacks in many different ways. This is one that I cerSoccer continues to grow in America. How does it feel tainly would have not anticipated, but we move on and knowing that you’ve been a large proponent of the we keep working for what we believe is of value. sport’s growth in Wisconsin? How hard has it been for you in the last few years to be There is satisfaction to that no doubt. I can remember watching a match on the sidelines rather than coaching? when there were about 100 teams in high school soccer in Wisconsin thinking wow, that’s really terrific. Then it It surprisingly hasn’t been as difficult as one might was 200 and and now it’s more. Even in Division III in think. When I made that decision to step aside, I think general, back when we started there was probably 230 it’s important to know beginnings and endings and that schools and now there’s over 400. A lot of things that everything does have a start and end. Now it’s someI did were not just within the team, but promoting the body else’s turn to step in. I think the current coach, sport, helping in the college setting, in the high school Wytse Molenaar, his philosophy, not just soccer wise, setting, in the community with local clubs, in teaching but I think how he sees the whole picture with the stucourses for the state soccer association, and so on, it’s dent-athlete, I think he gets that. With that regard, I just something that I think a lot of us are passionate think that probably helped that transition. To just be about. This is a great opportunity, a great activity for able to appreciate watching guys compete just like they kids. You learn so many life lessons in it. It’s the one sport always did, if you have that perspective, you’re obviousthat’s truly global. It ticks all the boxes and to see that it’s ly like a fan or parent, you’re probably more nervous in resonating more than ever with America is something some ways. As a player or as a coach you can actually do that has been a progression that hasn’t surprised me. something, whereas as a spectator, you’ve just got to roll That progression has been really fun to see that ride. I’m with the punches. I fully understand that and can fully very appreciative although I’m envious that as a player appreciate how challenging that is on the other side of I would’ve loved the opportunities that kids have now, the field. I’ve made my peace with that long ago. but I’ve really appreciated stepping through those stages of development and that’s been a great thing. 47

SAVEU W OSOCCER

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

SAVEU W OSOCCER

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

SAVEU W OSOCCER

n the modern world of soccer, it’s all about the flashy boots, wild haircuts and exorbitant goal celebrations. Physical, simple and enforcing play has become a lost art. While many players desire the limelight, some still find satisfaction in putting together a solid, yet unnoticed 90 minutes. At 6’1” with a commanding demeanor, Matt Cheaney looks like a center back even before stepping onto the pitch. While it might be all smiles in the locker room, don’t be fooled. Cheaney has branded himself as a no-nonsense, physical player, something that is hard to come by in the sport nowadays.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

What drives you? What makes you wake up every morning at 7 a.m. for training?

Do you see yourself as a leader any of the younger players look up to?

Being with the guys is what drives me the most. They’re my family away from my family. I play for them. If I can give back to my team, that is absolutely fulfilling to me. Playing with them, for them and against them in training is something that I can’t live without.

I would like to think so. I try to lead by example as best as possible. I kind of put myself in their shoes four years ago, and I looked up to the guys then and there. Hopefully they do the same to me. If you could compare yourself to any professional player, who would it be?

You’re considered one of the “enforcers” on the team, constantly using your physical presence. Is this something you take pride in? A little bit. I think it’s kind of moving away from the game. It’s kind of last of a dying breed. I know that a lot of the physicality isn’t there anymore and now it’s more a finesse sport. It’s one of my strengths, so I’m going to play my strengths to the best I can to help the team.

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

I’d like to think Puyol. I think he was one of the the best defenders in the game. I’d have to grow the hair out a little bit, though. You transferred from UW Green Bay, a Division I soccer program, to UW Oshkosh a few years ago. What made you make this move? Oshkosh was just a better fit as far as what I wanted to study. I knew the program was stellar. I knew that they’d compete nationally day in and day out, and that’s something that was attractive for me and that’s why I transfered.

This is your final season of eligibility, but how have you been impacted by the decision to cut men’s soccer after this season? I think it’s terrible. I was definitely looking forward to coming to some of these games next year. I know the group our true seniors are leaving behind is a great group with serious potential. They could make some noise. For them not to even have a chance next year is appalling. When I have children someday I’ll tell them that I played for UWO soccer. The fact that it won’t exist anymore and that there’s no legacy anymore that 31 years before me has left is disgusting.

IF I CAN GIVE BACK TO MY TEAM, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FULFILLING TO ME. Why do you think the administration decided to cut the program? I think it was more personal. I think they had an ulterior motive. As far as that goes, I won’t go into detail because I think everybody can kind of figure that out for themselves. What’s your most memorable moment of being a member of the UWO men’s soccer program. It’s between going to the NCAA tournament in 2013 and beating Whitewater in the WIAC championship last year. Beating Whitewater at home in front of our home crowd, just the buzz after that game. We worked so hard that season and overcame a lot of adversity. Just to get that final victory was unreal.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

Overall, what’s your overall favorite part about being a member of the soccer program. Just the team. It’s a privilege that not many get, and I’m thankful and grateful for it everyday to get up and be out there with the guys.

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

SAVEU W OSOCCER

THE

FINAL

CHAPTER

SAVEU W OSOCCER

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK K

nowing that this would be the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last season, six freshmen still came to the school to play for the programâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a testament to the to the strong success and tradition this program has and what it means to be a Titan. For Nick Harenda, Zach Knudson, Elijah Tesch, Sean McCarthy, Nic Orne and Tyler Howard, one season here would be better than four seasons at another university.

SAVEU W OSOCCER

Knowing that the program would be cut after your freshman year, why did you guys still decide to come play for UW Oshkosh?

What’s your favorite part about being on the UWO men’s soccer team?

Harenda: I decided to still come and play at UWO because I knew that this year would be a rare and great experience. I knew that the squad was very good and that we would have the ability to have a special season especially since we all had something to fight for.

Knudson: My favorite part of being a part of this team is the bonds and friends I have made and knowing I have 30 people backing me up.

Orne: Knowing the program was going to be cut after my freshman season I still came to Oshkosh because I knew there was a chance at winning a national championship here.

Orne: My favorite part of being on the team is meeting all the guys I see everyday and being able to hangout with them outside of soccer, too. Tesch: My favorite part about being on the team is just the opportunity to play the sport I love everyday.

Howard: It all started with the guys, they made me feel like I was a part of the team even before I was. When I came up this summer to play and hangout with the guys I instantly created a bond with all of them. Tesch: I knew it was a good program that I had the opportunity to play for. I came to get the college athlete experience here and in hopes of playing more.

Howard: The guys, and the brotherhood we have. It is bonds that will never be broken. I will remember these guys for the rest of my life. Waking up every morning, going to practice and making fun of Orne have been my favorite parts of being on the men’s soccer team.

How has the transition from high school soccer to the collegiate level been?

Who’s the most intimidating upperclassman? Do you fear going up against any of them in training sessions?

McCarthy: At first I thought I’m f****d. I needed to get more physical in practice and in games. As the season has been going on I have adapted a lot more and I am more comfortable with everything. I don’t feel as rushed.

Harenda: Cheaney is 100% the most intimidating guy to go up against in training. I am always trying to avoid getting crunched by him.

Harenda: The main difference is that games are played at a much quicker speed and are a lot more physical. You definitely need to know what you are going to do before you are on the ball and be ready to fight people off.

Knudson: Nobody really intimidates me off the field but on the field probably Matt Cheaney. McCarthy: Cheaney is the most intimidating upperclassmen on the team for sure. Sometimes you don’t know what he’s going to do during practice. He just goes all out on his tackles in practice like he does in games.

They made me feel like I was a part of the team even before I was. 68

The best part about the team in general is the family feeling that is created when being around the guys all the time. Would you have come to UW Oshkosh if you weren’t planning on playing soccer?

What’s something that people might not know about the student-athlete life?

McCarthy: I have no idea to be honest. I think I probably would have still come to Oshkosh for school but the only reason I ever had any interest in Oshkosh was because I wanted to play college soccer and my coach told me to look at UW Oshkosh’s soccer camps.

Harenda: I think most people don’t realize how early, at least in our team’s case, we have to wake up everyday during the season.

Howard: No, I came to compete at the highest level with one of the best Division III schools in the nation. Tesch: I’m not sure if I would have come here if I didn’t play soccer. Soccer is what sparked my interest in Oshkosh.

Orne: As a student athlete you’ve got to be aware of your schedule and keep a close eye on your email. Howard: It actually is really hard to balance the school work and the field time. It is more difficult to be a student than an athlete, there isn’t enough free time to do homework.

Harenda: I probably wouldn’t have came to UWO if it wasn’t for soccer. I really wasn’t thinking about the school until I was contacted by Wytse.

SAVEU W OSOCCER