Former Cougar makes trip back to Bluffs to participate in alumni game

Ramses Atahualpa will always remember Scottsbluff and Western Nebraska Community College as a place that grew on him after the former men’s soccer player arrived on campus from Lima, Peru, back in 2017.

During his time at WNCC and then Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado, Atahualpa continued playing the sport that he loved -- soccer.

“Well, WNCC gave me the opportunity to come to the States to obtain a degree but also to keep playing at the highest level,” Atahualpa said. “After an incredible two years playing at WNCC, where we beat the school record my freshman year, I obtained the all-time assists leader for the program and I was top three assist leader in the nation my sophomore year, I transferred to play NCAA DII at Colorado Mesa University, where I was named all region team twice and we won the RMAC conference in 2021 where we finished 9th in the nation.

“I also had the opportunity to play in a semi-professional league (USL2). Colorado Springs Switchbaks (2019) and Park City Red Wolves (2022), winning the conference both years. Now, I’m working as a soccer coach at Grand Junction Fire FC. I’m currently working on getting my USSF D License and I’m planning to start a college career as a coach within the next year.”

His time in the states will be one that he will be here for awhile. Early August, Atahualpa celebrated his second wedding anniversary to his wife Nicole.

During his time at WNCC, is number one and two in assists in a season with 11 assists his freshman year and 10 his sophomore year. He scored 14 goals in his career as a Cougar, which is 8th in the record books.

So, when Atahualpa had a chance to return to Scottsbluff to play in the alumni game after a busy coaching and playing career, he couldn’t turn it down.

“Going back to Scottsbluff for the alumni game made me realize how much time has gone through and I still remembering all the fun memories I created at WNCC,” he said. “Playing against a very talented team was definitely a great time and I could notice how much the program has improved since I left the team.”

What Atalualpa will take about from his time from the game on August 12 is playing on a field that had the Scotts Bluff Monument in the background.

“I felt so awesome to be playing at Landers Complex again,” he said. “I had the best memories from playing on that field and I’m sure I’ll be back there. The team is looking pretty solid this year, they had some quality players joining the program and I’m sure they will make a big impact on the team.”

The WNCC team did beat the alumni

3-1, but it was only 1-0 at halftime and the current team had their hands full against a talented alumni squad that number about 25 players.

Atalualpa’s advice to the current crop of Cougars is to become great people first.

“My advice to the new players coming to WNCC is to be great people first and then great soccer players,” he said. “Make a positive impact on the team, but also on the community. No matter how good of a soccer player you think you are, wake up every day thinking that you can be better than yesterday and that you will make others around you better. There is always room for improvement!”

While he has played in several semi-professional leagues, he is looking to become a coach. He takes that playing experience and brings his soccer knowledge to the younger players that he coaches or comes across.

“I’ll definitely take the competitiveness of the leagues I have played in,” he said. “I was lucky enough to compete against top programs in the country and be apart of quality teams with outstanding players. This great experience helped me develop as a soccer player but also as a person.”

While Atalualpa was back at the college that gave him his collegiate start, he got to visit all the people that helped him grow as a person and player.

“Last thing, I want to say a big THANK YOU to coach Rasnic, Nancy (his wife), and all my teammates and friends that I spent my two years at WNCC,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I’m right now without their support and help.”

— Written by Mark Rein