Futbol is life

Eight former players from Wright State University’s original men’s soccer team visited Alumni Field on Aug. 14 to reminisce about the game they love and connect with current players and coaches.

“We were actually a club team in 1966 and then became a university team in ’66–67,” said Bill Sinclair, a former player who went on to play professionally and coach after graduating from Wright State in 1971.

The returning players spoke to the current men’s soccer team, sharing stories about their experiences at Wright State and reflecting on how they have remained close decades after graduation.

“One of the definitions of success that we talk about is, are you on the text chain 10 years from now?” said head men’s soccer coach Alex Van der Sluijs.

After visiting with the team, Sinclair and fellow soccer alumni Michael Rado, Dave Wiles, Dayton Kort, John Holoviak, Fred Kreuzer, Ed Mathes and Doug Karl joined current players for a group photo near Alumni Field.

“It’s not just an experience when you come to the university for two or three years. You come and it’s part of your life,” Sinclair said.

The soccer alumni try to reunite every four or five years to reconnect and reflect on their time together at Wright State — a tradition they hope today’s Raiders will continue long after their playing days are over.