Jeff's Journal: You Do Not Want the Dream to End!
A Diary by Jeff Kunze, Toros Soccer Player
September 18, 2002

Well today we had a game against Vanguard University (Sept. 9). I think that we have the potential this year, yet it did not show today. I don't know if the problem is that we feel the team we are playing is not a worthy opponent or if our team has just not found the chemistry we need. I know that we have the individual talent this year. However, I have been part of two championship teams as well as two finalist teams and I know that the main component we had all four times was team chemistry. Sometimes I feel that Joe (Head Coach Joe Flanagan) is looking to Victor (Guerrero - other team captain) and myself to try to pick the intensity up, yet it takes a whole team.

We were given the responsibility to lead this team to a national championship, but we are all equal and we all have responsibilities. I remember my freshman year here (2000), the year we won the national championship, there were approximately four altercations at practice. These incidents all came about from people striving to be the best and not letting anyone else slack. This year there has not been one fight, verbal or physical. Sometimes it seems like people are content with being second best. I know one thing is for sure, I want to win another national championship, and I will do anything to win it for my teammates.

For a lot of the younger guys on the team, they have never felt what it is like to win a championship game with the magnitude of a NCAA Division II men's national championship game. It is one of the best feelings I have ever felt in my life and there is nobody else who I would rather give that feeling to than the teammates I have right now. Well, now that I have mentioned a lot of the things we need to do, there are some things which I think help our team a lot. One of these contributions is having Jeff Tuttle back on the coaching staff. I think he brings a lot of energy to the team as well as easing tension and nerves when the times arrive.

This is about all I have to say for the first week. One thing needs to be kept in everyone's minds though. The picture of laying in your bed the night after you won the national championship and not being able to fall asleep, or better yet, not wanting to go to sleep, because you do not want the dream to end.

Until next week,
Jeff