Recently, Hope International University Men's Soccer Head Coach Joe Lurker and Assistant Coach Bob Osugeara zoomed with the Long Beach City College men's soccer class. Coach Lurker went over his soccer path, explained the NAIA system, as well as Hope's academic and athletic opportunities for student-athletes. In addition, he explained the religious commitment that is needed once you go to the school.

In addition to the above, Coach Lurker went over his programs four pillars that they go by: commitment, respect, always growing, and professionalism. He explained these for both on the field and off the field. Coach Osugeara talked about finding the right fit for oneself both from the academic and athletic side. He explained to the men the different questions they should ask both themselves, coaches at perspective schools, as well as current players in programs that they might be interested in moving onto after LBCC.

A special guest in the meeting was LBCC soccer and Hope International alumni Christopher Ribet. Ribet told the class about the drive and commitment needed to be successful on both the field, the classroom and in life. He talked about how he questioned even playing soccer in college, being a redshirt his first year, then being team leading scorer for two years, as well as an All-Conference selection and team captain. He then discussed his time being a scholarship athlete at Hope, and being the second leading scorer in the nation in semi-pro, to his current professional status.

Ribet stated, "I am grateful for the opportunity, push, and teaching of the game that I received at Long Beach that has helped put me in the position that I am in now."

Below are some comments that some of the student athletes made after the meeting.

"It really denoted the benefits of playing at LBCC and the opportunities that can arise from this city college."  (Daniel Romero)

"I liked when he talked about the importance of grades and using soccer as a tool." (Brian Chung)

"I liked when I heard that Coach Beaulac has talked to their coaches and started to set things up for me and a teammate at Hope even though we have not even played yet." (Aldo Jimenez)

"I learned that that going to an NAIA school could be a really good idea for certain situations."(Jack Schaaf)

"Showed the importance of bringing a good attitude every day to what you are doing, no matter what it is." (Odie Tom)

"I learned a lot about that not to give up on your dream because you can get so much farther if you don't give up." (Quincy Bell)

Coach Beaulac would like to thank Coach Lurker, Coach Osuegera, as well as Chris Ribet for taking time to meet and talk with the Vikings. As Coach Lurker said, "You young men are getting an opportunity with different college coaches that I do not know of any other college in the nation is getting. These are benefits you are hopefully taking advantage of."

This Thursday, March 18, the Vikings will be meeting with Head Men's Soccer Coach Andy Hall of Illinois University - Springfield.