Spring Break
Arad to continue soccer career
Kevin Vellturo
Issue date: 5/10/09 Section: Sports
|
While his recognizable persona on the soccer field distinguishes him from other students, his personal life is equally impressive. Arad is a native of Hahrotrim, Israel, and had to make the tough choice to leave his family, his girlfriend and his home life behind to come play soccer for one of the most renowned programs in the country.
"It was absolutely one of the most difficult decisions I've made," Arad said. "You leave everything behind that you're used to."
In the end, it was the draw of UConn that convinced him to attend college so far from home.
"I had other offers from several other schools," Arad said. "But once UConn offered me a full scholarship, I had to take it."
Arad made the transition look easy, though it was anything but.
"I'm very close with my family and that was very hard," Arad said. "Plus the English language is confusing, I don't know how you guys do it."
In his four years on the soccer team, Arad became one of the most recognizable athletes on campus. He played in 81 games, but there was one game in particular that he will always remember. On November 17, 2007, the Huskies were playing in the Big East Championship against Notre Dame. Arad picked the perfect time to score his only two goals of the season to give UConn the 2-0 victory - and the Big East crown.
As if almost single-handedly leading his team to a conference championship were not enough, he did so in front of those he left behind - his family and girlfriend. Those extra attendees, Arad said, are what made it his favorite memory, not just from his soccer career, but his entire time at UConn.
"To be able to score two goals in the Big East championship was amazing," Arad said. "I had been working hard for three years and it paid off and to have my family and my girlfriend able to come up and see it made it perfect."
Be the first to comment on this story