The Appalachian State University men’s club soccer team hopes to remain an official club and with 60 people in the club they have created two teams. File Photo

by MARC WALKER
Intern Sports Reporter

While most teams put a large amount of emphasis on their season record, the Appalachian State men’s club soccer team had a different approach.

As a result of previous club officer’s actions, the team came dangerously close to being dropped by the university in the fall season of 2008. As difficult as it is to establish a club, once dropped by the university it is almost impossible to regain establishment.

Prior to the spring 2009 season, commitment was a common problem across the club. Practice attendance suffered and commitment to the team proved to be a constant struggle.

So while the team finished with a record of 1-7-4, this fall season was a building block for the entire program. The club purchased new uniforms and new balls, and this was the first year they had a coach.

“Club soccer isn’t just for us [the athletes],” senior Z. Tyler Vaughn, a Spanish education major and club president said. “It’s about passing it on to the freshmen and other upcoming students. We want to leave a legacy, and we’ve earned respect back for the club.”

Vaughn, who transferred to Appalachian in 2006, once played varsity for a NCAA Division II school. With over 60 students coming out to play this fall, a situation arose that he had never confronted before: too many people wanted to play.

The first idea implemented to tackle this situation was to make two teams. And while that solution seemed to work at the beginning of the season, it became apparent that it would not work for the entire season.

Vaughn said it was difficult to decide who would play and who would not, but the problem of having too many players was not really a problem, but more of a challenge.

This year, team unison throughout the players was a prominent component of the season. Team members not only competed with each other on the field, but continued to develop relationships with one another off the field as well.

“Our toughest opponent was Duke,” Tommy T. Towner, club treasurer and senior criminal justice and history major said. “We tied 3-3 with no substitute players because we didn’t have any subs.”

Practice will end Dec. 7 and resume for the spring season three days after the second semester begins, regardless of weather conditions.

“If you want a competitive area where you’re playing other schools and people who are talented, come out,” Phillip S. Langenberg, the club vice president and physical education major said. “Our level is right underneath the varsity level.”

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