The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Insider: C.J.'s Corner Kicks
February 17 | Men's Soccer
To help chronicle 2009 University of Akron men's soccer season,
senior midfielder C.J.
Kaufman was asked to provide Zips' fans, friends and alumni
inside access throughout the year on GoZips.com.
Kaufman, a native of Tucson, Ariz., played for the Zips from 2005
to 2009 after earning first-team all-state honors as a senior at
Salpointe Catholic High School. To his teammates and coaches,
Kaufman was known as a hard worker with a positive attitude and the
perfect example of what a student-athlete should be. In addition to
his devotion on the field to the UA men's soccer program, Kaufman
owns cumulative GPA of 3.431 as a civil engineering major and
currently serves as the president of the University's
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
The following is Kaufman's final entry for GoZips.com:
It is about two months since we lost in the national championship game. I told myself after the game that I would write a final Corner Kicks but was going to allow myself some time to get over the agonizing loss. Well, almost two months later I have come to the realization that the devastation of losing in the biggest game of the year may never be completely healed.
Not a day goes by where December 13th isn't replayed in my head or isn't brought to my attention somehow. Whether it is by a congratulatory fan or banner, being called a runner-up instead of a national champion will always burn. However, acknowledging this has allowed for most of us to move on and look at the bigger picture. The amount of great memories outnumbers the few bad ones.
Being part of the 2009 College Cup is one of those great memories. After beating Tulsa in the Elite Eight in front of a record crowd of 4,254, our ticket was punched for Cary, North Carolina. Following a send-off pep rally put on by the school, we were off to the airport. To say our travel plans were swift and efficient is an understatement.
The bus pulled around to the back of the airport where our chartered plane was waiting for us. After showing identification, we boarded while our bags were loaded for us. The flight was so short a nap was not even possible. We touched down in North Carolina yards away from where our bus was waiting for us. Our bags were once again loaded for us and we quickly were off to the hotel.
We were the only team in our hotel. Upon arrival this was apparent as the hotel staff was wearing University of Akron T-shirts. There were some other things to make it clear this trip was different from regular season away games such as the room keys having the College Cup logo and a channel on the TV with our itinerary on it.
Practice the next morning had a little more buzz about it as well. It was closed to the public and allowed for us to start preparing for the reason we were there. The training fields were located just next to the stadium. After practice, we were allowed to walk the game field. Finally seeing "AKRON" painted on the field made the occasion seem all that more real. After a few pictures and envisioning success, we were back at the hotel to get ready for the banquet that night.
Dressed in coats and ties, we headed to the N.C. State football stadium where the banquet took place. A crowded elevator ride took us up to where dinner would be served. Following dinner, each team had a player give a reflection of their respective seasons. I was honored to represent the Zips. It was a fun night and a proper way to kick off the weekend.
With the horse and pony show over, Friday arrived and with it the semifinals. We were calm and collected before the game knowing we were prepared properly by the coaches and had the ability to continue our success. Our wait in the locker room was a little longer than expected with the first semifinal match between Wake Forest and Virginia going to overtime. The crowd roar let us know someone had scored and it was our time to take the field. Walking out of the tunnel into a stadium with that many fans is a memory that will last a lifetime. It was great to see all of the AK-Rowdies, who made the trip behind our goal as well as my parents and little sister sitting behind our bench.
Because their school is located nearby, the Tar Heels from North Carolina had a number advantage in the crowd. Regardless, as they had all season long, the Rowdies were louder and gave us a feeling as if we were back home in The Pouch. The game was hard fought and we were able to advance by virtue of penalty kicks. The celebration afterwards continued back to the hotel and into the pool where recovery took place.
At breakfast on Saturday morning, we knew it was time to put the emotional victory behind us and switch our focus to Virginia. Our coaches went over their strengths and weaknesses with us before we headed to N.C. State's practice field for our last jog and stretch of the season. Immediately following the short practice, we were able to further recover in contrast baths located in the basketball arena. The rest of the day was relaxing, spent with teammates and family.
It is rare that I have trouble falling asleep but with visions
of what was to come the next day, I struggled to get some z's.
December 13th had finally arrived. Ever since August, every little
thing we did as a team was to put us into a position to be playing
on the last day of the season for the National Championship: the
practices, weights, film sessions, meetings, games, everything.
If you are reading this, you don't need me to remind you how the game went. To be honest, I struggle to even try and put the day into words. The term "runner-up" isn't supposed to describe a team that didn't allow a goal the entire tournament, a team that fought for 110 minutes, leaving it all on the field, not only for each other but their families, school, and the entire city of Akron. But it does.
The painful memories of hearing Virginia sing in absolute jubilation in their locker room afterwards as I sat trying to control the agonizing tears flowing from my eyes will not soon be forgotten. Either will watching them frolic on the field with their "National Champions" t-shirts or the empty feeling of not being able to bring back to the University of Akron and all of our fans the right to be called the best in the nation.
It is definitely not how we would have liked to end our 2009
journey but we must be proud of what we accomplished. While we
failed at accomplishing our ultimate goal, the season was a success
and will set up many more successful years to come. As a wise
saying goes, "The sun will rise tomorrow" and even though it felt
as if the world had ended, another season will soon be upon us.
Thank you to all those who helped make this season so memorable. We
are fortunate to only worry about playing the game as I know there
are many people behind the scenes making it possible for us. Thank
you to all of our fans; from our families, alumni, loyal supporters
and, most importantly, the AK-Rowdies for always being there for
us.
Thanks also to all of you who took some time out of your day to
read CJ's Corner Kicks. It has been a pleasure being able to share
our magical season with you and I appreciate all of the encouraging
words you gave along the way.
While my time as a member of the University of Akron Men's Soccer team is now completed, there is no other program I would rather belong to as an alumn. The pride I take in being a Zip will follow me for the rest of my life. Knowing the future only holds success for the school only makes it appropriate to finish as I have every week.
It's a great time to be a Zip. Eat your vegetables, God bless.
-C.J. Kaufman, Jr. #8
