The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Player Diary
8/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 21, 2003
The UAB men's soccer team recently completed its tour in the UK where it played six games against professional soccer teams, recording an unbeaten 6-0 record. While in the UK, the players were asked to keep a diary of the day's events and their thoughts.
On Wednesday, August 20, assistant coach Dave Giffard was asked to write a diary about Wednesday's events, as well as a summary of how he felt about the trip. Below is what he wrote:
Well, we are on our way home. Our British Midlands flight left Manchester at 11 a.m. local time and by the time we arrive home it will be close to midnight. In all, 21 hours of travel before we reach our destination. Talk about jetlag!
Yesterday (Wednesday) we went shopping in Liverpool, visited Anfield stadium (home of Liverpool Football Club) and played our final game, a 2-1 victory over Halken FC. A smaller field forced us into one of the most competitive games of the trip. With the victory, we extended our UK record to 6-0.
The extra games have given the returning players a chance to gel and have given the newcomers a few extra games show what they can do and gain valuable experience.
Overall, six games in as many days have given us a greater sense of who we are and have hopefully given us a head start as we prepare to open the regular season next weekend against Notre Dame and Indiana in Bloomington.
Looking at the trip from my perspective as a coach and a fan, I enjoyed the level of understanding and awareness that the television commentators, newspaper writers and average people on the street had about the game. To be able to talk to people that you meet on the street about the finer points of a soccer match that was on the (television) the night before was probably my favorite part of the trip.
The NCAA allows us to take an international trip once every four years. The benefits of trips like this extend well beyond the playing field. Our team was able to experience a soccer culture unlike any other. Trips to famous soccer stadiums as well as watching Newcastle play Leeds in front of 40,000 rowdy fans were just a few things that we'll remember.
So often you here all the negative things about college athletes but very seldom do you hear about the good things. To me, trips like this are what being a college athlete is all about. You travel the world as an ambassador for your country and your school and return home ten days later better for the experience. Whether you realize it or not, somewhere between all the games, the castle tours and the sightseeing, you find time to learn to see the world in a new way. To me it makes all the preparations and time away from our family and friends worthwhile.
Four years ago we made a similar trip to Argentina and we went on to have the most successful season in school history. That year we won both the C-USA regular season and tournament titles and we went on to the Elite Eight of the NCAA's before falling to Santa Clara in overtime.
Will 2003 see history repeat itself? I don't know, but I do know that everyone involved with UAB soccer is ready to find out.
Only five more hours till I can go to sleep. Good night Birmingham.
Senior Jose Rayo also was asked to add his overall thoughts and here is what he had to say:
The team bonded very well and we got to be really close which is important for a team that wants to be champions. I am going to miss the sheep's making all the noise they can possibly make during the night while I am trying to go to sleep and the wonderful food that made my stomach very upset.
The highlight of the trip for me is coming back from England undefeated with a record of 6-0. I would like to thank the coaches, staff, and my teammates for this great experience. I would also like to take the chance to thank my good friends the Gaskins family and Erika Arzate for coming all the way from London to watch me play and support the UAB Soccer team.
