Sun-Times Paul Kopec Story
Oct 9, 2008 6:36:16 GMT -6
Post by Big D on Oct 9, 2008 6:36:16 GMT -6
Kopec's unusual journey leads back home to UIC
October 8, 2008
BY NICK FIRCHAU
A glance at the Western Kentucky Web site reveals nothing about men's soccer or the young men who played there before they got the ax.
No stats. No rosters. No mention that the Hilltoppers once had a soccer program.
But they did. And Paul Kopec, a Sandburg alum who spurned interest from other colleges to sign with Western Kentucky in 2006, was there when everything fell apart.
''It's crazy to say you can just get rid of a Division I soccer program, just like that,'' Kopec said. ''It's like we never even existed there.''
Now a starting defender at UIC, it's easier for Kopec to stomach the events that got him here. And it doesn't hurt that the Flames carry a No. 4 national ranking into a game tonight against 2007 NCAA runner-up Ohio State at Flames Field.
''Two years ago, we were such a new team on the scene, I don't think anyone believed us,'' coach John Trask said. ''Now teams know we're very good.''
That's why Kopec came home after Western Kentucky slashed the men's soccer program in February, a casualty of cuts that in this case shaved $300,000 off an already-stretched athletic budget.
''They fed us garbage,'' Kopec said. ''We never thought they would do it to us.''
His choice was to ride out the scholarship for a free education and forget about a soccer career or pack his bags and join the Flames, who first courted him after two all-state selections at Sandburg and a starting role on the Eagles' 2002 state-title team.
''I remember getting a letter from them, but I don't think I looked at it,'' he said of the Flames, who struggled during Kopec's high school days before they lured Trask from Indiana in 2005.
It's a totally different story now. The Flames have reached the NCAA tournament the last two seasons and surged to their first Elite Eight appearance last season. The No. 4 ranking is their highest ever, and their 8-0-3 start is a school record.
''Someday, I'm going to write those guys at Western Kentucky a letter,'' Kopec said. ''It'll say: 'Look what I could have done for you. Instead, I did it at UIC.'''
Link
October 8, 2008
BY NICK FIRCHAU
A glance at the Western Kentucky Web site reveals nothing about men's soccer or the young men who played there before they got the ax.
No stats. No rosters. No mention that the Hilltoppers once had a soccer program.
But they did. And Paul Kopec, a Sandburg alum who spurned interest from other colleges to sign with Western Kentucky in 2006, was there when everything fell apart.
''It's crazy to say you can just get rid of a Division I soccer program, just like that,'' Kopec said. ''It's like we never even existed there.''
Now a starting defender at UIC, it's easier for Kopec to stomach the events that got him here. And it doesn't hurt that the Flames carry a No. 4 national ranking into a game tonight against 2007 NCAA runner-up Ohio State at Flames Field.
''Two years ago, we were such a new team on the scene, I don't think anyone believed us,'' coach John Trask said. ''Now teams know we're very good.''
That's why Kopec came home after Western Kentucky slashed the men's soccer program in February, a casualty of cuts that in this case shaved $300,000 off an already-stretched athletic budget.
''They fed us garbage,'' Kopec said. ''We never thought they would do it to us.''
His choice was to ride out the scholarship for a free education and forget about a soccer career or pack his bags and join the Flames, who first courted him after two all-state selections at Sandburg and a starting role on the Eagles' 2002 state-title team.
''I remember getting a letter from them, but I don't think I looked at it,'' he said of the Flames, who struggled during Kopec's high school days before they lured Trask from Indiana in 2005.
It's a totally different story now. The Flames have reached the NCAA tournament the last two seasons and surged to their first Elite Eight appearance last season. The No. 4 ranking is their highest ever, and their 8-0-3 start is a school record.
''Someday, I'm going to write those guys at Western Kentucky a letter,'' Kopec said. ''It'll say: 'Look what I could have done for you. Instead, I did it at UIC.'''
Link