A letter from Jessica Lopez

College Info

Saturday, 26 December 2009 15:02

I have always believed that playing soccer was a chance for me to grow as an individual as well as develop in more ways than you can learn in the classroom. Reflecting back over my playing years at GSC, and trying to write only a few paragraphs on the impact it has made on myself as a person and as a soccer player will be difficult to do. It has been a part of my life since I was 4, but I will try express its value. As I begin to reminisce about my days playing with this club, I have more clearly understood that a large part of my growth was not merely because of a game, but because of how it was taught to me. I have been with GSC for 9 years and prior to that, I played with the Gilbert Youth Soccer Association for 3 years with my dad as my coach. Twelve years of my life playing soccer, going to and from practices, weekend games, uniforms, traveling, winning and losing, and forming friendships that will last my lifetime have been a routine part of my life.
Some of my first memories of the GSC were of the first camps I attended. I went to one of Drew Guarneri’s soccer camps when I was 5. It was out at Barney Park. My clearest memory of this camp was that I did not speak a word (I was very shy and very scared) but I had so much fun, especially at the end of the camp because of the water/balloon fight. I also have a memory of my mother frantically cleaning up the house on some nights, trying to hurry and serve dinner, and getting piano lessons over with, because the monthly GSC club meeting would be down in our basement and all the coaches and board members would be coming over. My first soccer game, I played on the field with Sarah Lehman. My last club soccer game in May of 2008, I played and walked off of the field with Sarah Lehman. We have played soccer for many years together and she is honestly one of the kindest and most hardworking people I have ever known. A big part of the reason why we are friends is because of the game we have played together for so long.
I have been to practices all over the east valley for my gilbert soccer teams. Barney Park was home to GSC for practices for a while, and then several high schools, parks, and junior highs. It has felt so good to finally have our own complex these last couple of years and finally be able practice in the same place. But the complex, the places to practice, and the different facilities are not what make up this club. I can honesty say it is the coaches and the people. After 3 years of my father’s coaching, he thought it best to turn me over to some experienced coaches and that is when I started playing competitively for the GSC. I have played for Doug Ewing, Drew Guarneri, and Matt Smith. In the past, I have had other clubs approach me about playing for their club, but I have always known that I would not find any better coaches than the ones I have had. The facilities might have been better, perhaps the club name was better know at the time, but I knew I was better off with my coaches. I have not only learned to play soccer from them, but I have leaned a lot about discipline, commitment, and integrity. In playing for the above three coaches, I have valued their instruction and their opinions more than they could ever know. The compliments to me from these coaches that I will remember the most were not about the soccer player that I am, but rather about the kind of person I am and about my character as an entire person.
On August 6th, 2008 I will report for my first day of practice as a SLU women’s soccer player. I do not take this commitment lightly. I have already begun to train, as I will not go into this situation unprepared. I will continue to train vigorously and thoroughly. I have to thank all of my coaches and the GSC for their help in getting me to this point in my life. I have always known that I will go to college. With my parents, it has always been when you go to college… not if you go to college. Education has been instilled in me as knowing that it is one of the most important things in life and is not to be taken for granted. For me, to go to college, and to be able to play soccer at the college where I will get my degree, is truly an unbelievable dream. I will go prepared for my education and I will go prepared to play soccer. Thank you to all my coaches and GSC for teaching me life long lessons and having such a great part in teaching me the game of soccer.

Sincerely,
Jessica Lopez