The 2019 Rams Reflect is the fourth in a series of annual collections. Senior captains and representatives of Suffolk teams have been invited to contribute viewpoints based on personal experience from both their senior seasons and full varsity careers at Suffolk.
For a complete listing of past and present Rams’ Reflections, click here.
David Haines | Hometown: New York, N.Y. | Psychology
My overall experience at Suffolk has been one that has had many ups and downs. Like any student, I had weeks where I was always stressed about classes and exams, but I always had the blessing of leaving that all behind for a couple of hours to go practice with the men’s soccer team. Being a student-athlete has been a major blessing because I was able to grow on and off the pitch as a person. Being a student-athlete taught me how to balance my time management and enjoy doing what I’m studying at school and enjoy being an athlete. I wouldn’t have picked any other school to be at besides Suffolk University for my education or my athletic career.
To my teammates. I wish you all the best on and off the pitch. Regardless if I’ve been playing with you for three years or this is your first year, you’ve all positively influenced my life. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates throughout my four years as a Ram. Know that being a student-athlete is a privilege and should be treated as such. Some kids can only dream about being a college athlete, and you’re living that dream. Please never give up hope and fight till the end.
To my coaches. First, I would like to start by talking about James Boden and Andy Tucker. I would like to thank you both for these last four years. You guys have been the two most influential people in my life during my time at Suffolk, and I am eternally grateful. You guys have wanted to see me succeed on and off the pitch since day one, and have guided me in both those directions. It upsets me that we couldn’t win a GNAC title together, but you guys will lift that trophy someday; I will be the first to congratulate you. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it wasn’t. Just like this program wasn’t built in a day, you guys have been setting the building blocks for something truly special, and I’m thankful that I could be a part of that first step with you guys. Thank you for all the laughs we have shared over the years. Lastly, I’d like to thank goalkeeper coach Steve Hill. Thank you for being the most consistent goalkeeper coach I’ve had at my time at Suffolk. You put your heart and soul into this program, and you’ve only been here for a season. You’ve helped develop my game even as a senior and I cannot thank you enough for that. I wish you the best in your continuation with the team and the new incoming keepers.
To my younger self. Stay hungry, always fight for what you believe is right. Never fold to what others think you should be doing. Train harder and harder every day on the pitch, and work harder and harder every day off the pitch. Have confidence in yourself that you can be the best in anything that you do. The key to success is drive and passion.
To me being a Ram means you walk through the streets of downtown Boston with pride that you go to such a fantastic school. Being a Ram means you wake up every morning striving to be better and wanting to win every game you play. Last but not least, being a Ram means you have an undeniable passion for athletics and education.
Cheers, cheers again, and cheers once more!!
David “Hainesy” Haines