Club sports: Men’s soccer
By Habeba Mostafa
April 19, 2018 4:17 p.m.
Clem Witherall, a fourth-year business economics student, has been a member of UCLA men's club soccer since his first year at UCLA. ''It honestly has turned out to be more than I could have ever imagined. These are my best friends, and now (as) the old guy on the team, the president (and) a senior, it has really meant a lot,'' Witherall said. ''It’s been a humongous part of my UCLA experience. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.''
(Keila Mayberry/Daily Bruin)
''It means the world to me because I joined in (fall quarter) of my (first year) ... it really helped me find myself at UCLA because I found a group of inspired fellow college students who really enjoyed the sport and enjoyed having a good time together as well. It's really helped me solidify my place here and helped me find my home away from home,'' said Joseph Cunningham, a third-year business economics student. ''I wouldn't swap it for the world, and if there's anyone considering (joining), then I'd thoroughly encourage them to come out to tryouts in fall.''
(Habeba Mostafa/Daily Bruin)
Juan Murgo, a third-year applied mathematics student, kicks the ball during a friendly matchup between UCLA men's club soccer and UCLA women's soccer team.
(Keila Mayberry/Daily Bruin)
''It gives me a great balance between school, hanging out with friends and playing the sport I love,'' said Derik Bessler, a third-year aerospace engineering student. ''You get to play with a very special group of guys and you learn and grow from each other and form a lot of bonds, so it’s been a great experience.''
(Keila Mayberry/Daily Bruin)
Brett Bailey, a second-year bioengineering student, attempts to gain possession from Luis Mendez, a first-year biology student, during practice.
(Keila Mayberry/Daily Bruin)
Oliver Parkin, a first-year undeclared student, said club soccer has provided him with a way to transition into college. He has been playing soccer since he was 5, and being in UCLA club soccer enabled him to continue play the sport as well as become part of a community on campus, he said.
(Habeba Mostafa/Daily Bruin)
Grady Howe, a UCLA alumnus and UCLA men's soccer's volunteer coach/director of operations, attempts a kick following a header from Trevor Loman, a first-year business economics student.
(Keila Mayberry/Daily Bruin)
Anthony Salvadori, a third-year business economics student, blocks out Nathan Logan, a third-year business economics student, in a practice drill.
