Ryan’s hope

Tuesday, November 10, 1998

Ryan’s hope

FUTAGAKI: Despite domestic hardships, freshman Ryan Futagaki
perseveres as one of the nation’s top soccer players

By Moin Salahuddin

Daily Bruin Contributor

In one moment of time, the lives of Ryan Futagaki and his family
were changed forever.

Futagaki, a freshman soccer superstar for UCLA, knew something
was wrong with his father.

About six years ago, Futagaki’s father suddenly became sick. He
wasn’t able to move his legs at first. Then his voice started to
go, and eventually it was completely gone. He is now bound
permanently to a wheelchair.

"It hit like that," Futagaki said. "We didn’t know what was
going on. We went to some doctors, and they didn’t know. Eventually
we went to some specialized doctors and they diagnosed that it was
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (a certain form of Lou Gehrig’s
disease). It affects only a few people, so it’s fairly rare. It was
hard."

While Ryan’s father dealt with his physical ailments, the entire
Futagaki family suffered through a period of emotional distress.
Those times were temporary, however, and the Futagaki family knew
that optimism is the key to recovery.

"It’s been getting worse," Futagaki said. "We go to one of the
most knowledgeable doctors on ALS now. He’s taken a girl who had
the same symptoms as those of my dad and was able to make her walk
and talk again."

While his father’s body functions slowly deteriorated, his soul
began to grow. His father focused on the positive aspects of his
life and that of his son, Ryan. He knew that despite his physical
condition, his love for life would carry him and his family through
a period of uncertainty.

"It means a lot to him. I tell him that I love him all the time.
He cries a lot. It’s really hard for me to see him in this
condition. He was my coach, playing and kicking the ball around
with me. But he loves watching my games. He would do anything for
me no matter what."

His father started Ryan in soccer, knowing that one day he would
watch his son compete with the top players in the nation.

"Futo," as he is affectionately known, started playing soccer at
the age of four. His brothers Brandon and Brent exposed him to the
sport he now calls his own.

"My parents told me that soccer would be my sport," Futagaki
said. "I was always kicking around a soccer ball when I was
younger."

"I wanted to play a lot," he continued. "My parents encouraged
me to play more and more."

Soccer became Futagaki’s life and when he was ten years old, he
entered club soccer.

"When I was younger, my club teams didn’t do particularly well,"
Futagaki said. "But later on, we moved up divisions and did better.
My last club team, the Mission Viejo Pateadores, won the state cup
and was one of the top teams in the nation."

Futagaki then entered Fountain Valley High School and took his
squad to the CIF finals his freshman season. Over the next several
years, Futagaki led his team to another CIF final, been named a
two-time All-CIF selection, and ranked in the top 25 recruits by
both USA Today and Soccer America as a senior.

"My senior year I didn’t get to play very much because I was
with Under-20 (National team)," Futagaki said. "Our high school
team was great, and I’m glad that we performed so well."

During that senior season, Futagaki received an incredible
amount of attention from some of the nation’s top collegiate soccer
programs. Among them were national powers Fresno State, San Jose
State, St. John’s, UCLA, Clemson and others.

"UCLA is known for their great academic and soccer programs,"
Futagaki said. "It was a combination of both of those that made it
an easy decision for me."

Futagaki became a Bruin for other reasons also. He wanted to
stay close to his family and let his father have the chance to
watch him play the game he loves.

"He’s come to every game this season except one," Futagaki said.
"That was one of the main reasons I came to UCLA. If I went to any
other school, it would take several hours to just see me play."

"I think it’s great that he has the opportunity to play at a
place like UCLA," head coach Sigi Schmid said. "His dad and family
are able to watch him play."

The transition between high school and college is very difficult
for most. For Futagaki, however, it was slightly different.

"It’s been pretty easy to switch to college soccer," Futagaki
said. "The (youth national team) got me prepared for the fast pace
here. High school really boosted my confidence. But physically, the
(youth national team) was the best preparation I could ever
have."

Futagaki made his debut in style for UCLA during their preseason
match vs. Cal State Northridge. He entered the match late in the
second half and scored on a beautiful shot with little time left.
In celebration, the young and exuberant Futagaki jumped into the
air and made a leaping karate kick.

Indeed, his birth into Bruin-dom has been with a certain flair.
That innocence, though, was taken away from Futagaki as he had to
battle emotional problems mid-season.

"I think he’s dealt with things well," Schmid said. "I think
it’s a difficult situation for him with his father at times. But
it’s not something that he dwells on. You know it’s there, and it’s
a concern to him. His family has been very supportive of him."

Futagaki’s teammates and coaches have also been supportive of
Ryan and his father.

"All of my teammates were really positive," Futagaki said. "They
would ask me to come over and talk. They are all like family to
me."

That bond that Futagaki has created with his teammates and
coaches has strengthened the team’s chemistry. And he has started
to receive more playing time, much to the delight of his father and
family.

"So far, so good," Futagaki said. "It’s been all right. I had
some slumps in the middle of the season. But now, I’m getting my
confidence back."

"Hopefully, I’ll just keep on rising."

And rise he has. Futagaki has seen more playing time recently,
highlighted by the UCLA-Indiana match last week.

Futagaki started the match, one of the most important ones of
the Bruins’ season. He played a majority of the minutes as UCLA
went on to defeat the top-ranked Hoosiers 2-1. Because of that
victory, the Bruins are currently the top ranked team in the
nation.

"I was nervous but excited at the same time," Futagaki said of
starting. "We were all very focused and we just wanted to beat the
heck out of (Indiana)."

"We just wanted to show the world who the top team in the nation
is."

Futagaki realizes his place on the team. His goal is for the
team to win and hopefully repeat as national champions once
again.

"My role on the team is to play outside midfield or attacking
midfielder," Futagaki said. "Getting balls up to our forwards,
making runs, getting behind the (opponent’s) defense and just
working hard. I just want to win."

Because of this dedication, Futagaki was selected to play on the
U.S. Under-20 National team, which was coached by Sigi Schmid. The
team traveled to Italy, Chile, Trinidad and many other nations this
past summer.

"International play is really fun," Futagaki said. "You get to
see all the other countries and their own different styles of play.
It was a great experience."

Futagaki dreams of playing professional soccer in either Europe
or Japan. He would love to play for Manchester United and in the
World Cup one day.

"I’ve always liked Diego Maradona," Futagaki said. "Even though
he’s not known in a good way, his style of play is unbelievable.
That new kid, Michael Owen, is also amazing."

"Hopefully, if I keep on working, I can be one of those
guys."

Ryan Futagaki will keep on working. He will try to perfect his
soccer game. He will play for a professional team and be successful
in the soccer world. He might even be the next Owen or Maradona.
But most importantly, he will play for the love of his father and
his family.

"I accomplish all of my goals for my father," Futagaki said. "I
strive to do my best for him. My main goal in life is to do well
for him."

DAVID HILL

Ryan Futagaki has overcome adversity to help lead the team as a
freshman.

Comments, feedback, problems?

© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board[Home]