Rams Reflect: Men's Soccer's Steven Lopez

Steven Lopez | Hometown: East Boston, Mass. | Economics Major, and Entrepreneurship Minor

My overall experience as a student-athlete here at Suffolk University has been sporadic! I was not the most committed athlete, compared to my other teammates. In fact, I only played two fully-committed seasons with the men's soccer team and here is why. As a student-athlete, you are faced with a part-time role, but in reality, it’s more or less a full-time position, considering the commute time to and from games, post-game recovery sessions, and time spent on self-preparation; all these things add up very quickly. However, these difficult times help you develop important traits that benefit you for the rest of your life, such as time-management, discipline, and the willingness to succeed at all costs. 

I started my career as a student-athlete in 2016, as an incoming recruit. During my freshman year, I made friends from all over the world; Cape Verde, Congo, Sweden, Venezuela, Ukraine, Brazil, England, and Nepal just to name a few. A world-class experience only found at Suffolk University because of its prestigious Law and Business programs. 

Unfortunately, during the start of my sophomore season in 2017, I had to make a personal decision that worked best for me, and that was taking time off from the soccer program. In between those two years off from soccer, I was able to utilize Suffolk’s prime location to “beef-up” my resume, gaining experience in leadership, involvement, and industry-focused internships. However, the friends I had made as a freshman, and at the beginning of preseason, my sophomore year, became brothers to me, and had all positively influenced my life since day one!  

The coaches and faculty in the Athletics Department always had their doors open, despite my decision back in 2017, which made it much harder to say no when the coaches had asked me to rejoin the team this fall 2019 season. Rejoining the team was the best decision I could have ever made to finalize my career as a student-athlete here at Suffolk. I then, truly realized how much I had missed the beautiful game. 

Again, my experience was not traditional like everyone else’s and nor should your experience be like someone else’s, you are the only one in control of your Suffolk experience. 

To be a true Ram, you need perseverance, and I have seen that first-hand here at Suffolk. Student-athletes here have faced short-term and or long-term injuries, and still have that drive and hunger to work towards something great. Student-athletes face financial set-backs and still don’t quit, instead, they work even harder. That to me is what it means to be a true Ram, no setback is ever too big to overcome. 

To end this reflection, I would like to thank all my teammates, both past and present, whom I have shared the pitch with during my collegiate career. I genuinely wish you all the best in your personal lives and future careers.  

Thank you to my coaches, both past and present, who have positively impacted my career as a varsity athlete here at Suffolk University. In particular, I would like to thank Austin Burrows, Juan Gonzalez, and Charlie Spurr. They helped me realize how much I will miss the sport of soccer once I graduate. The most memorable advice I received this season was from Coach Burrows, who quoted: "The harder you work, the luckier you get,” and boy was he right!  

Thank you to Stephen Hill for your commitment to the team, although working a 40-hour position here at the University, you remained committed to the program; you are one hard-working man and your efforts do not go unnoticed!  

I would also like to recognize the Head Athletic Trainer Richard Cox. He is also one dedicated individual! Up at 5:00 a.m. every day. That type of commitment is exemplary! 

My final thank you is to everyone who serves the athletics department! I would like to recognize Cary McConnell and Jaclyn Davis, in specific, for all their hard work! They are determined in assuring that every athlete who comes to Suffolk, graduates, and moves on with a memorable experience. I would have not found that elsewhere!  

Much love and success to you all! 

Sincerely,  

Steven Lopez