The University of Akron Athletics
In Their Own Words - Zarek Valentin Alumni Postcard
Akron Athletics wants to hear from YOU!
Send us a postcard! Share your story as a Zips' student-athlete and Alum.
Challenge your former teammates and classmates to send us postcards on all of Akron's Zips' social media platforms.
You can upload your own video challenges on your own Twitter (preferred) or other social media accounts, if you do so, please include #ZipsRiseTogether and #ZipsAlumniPostcardChallenge in your social media posts so we can highlight your efforts. Additionally, please visit GoZips.com/AlumniPostcard to complete an online postcard.
Zarek Valentin (2009-10, men's soccer)
What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
The lifelong relationships I’ve made and being a part of one of the best college soccer teams to ever.
How are you and your family doing during this time?
We are making orange juice from lemons. My son is eight months now and I would’ve never been able to spend this time with him so I’m loving every second.
Any messages of hope or inspiration for fellow Zips out there?
Find your silver lining! We all have so much down time and to waste it would be a shame. Pick up a new book, take a class, learn a language.
Do you have any work from home tips that you have learned while quarantined?
Find your special place. I find that if I try to do work on the couch or in my “chill” space, nothing gets done. Find a “work” space and get after it.
What is your current job, title, ect. that are keeping you busy these days?
Houston Dynamo defender.
What was/were the deciding factors(s) that brought you to Akron?
Steve Zakuani. I saw him play against Cincinnati and he scored to wild goals and I thought man, I can’t wait to play with him. I committed and he left for the draft. I also was roommates with Blair Gavin in high school and he helped convince me. Those two players coupled with the fact that Caleb and Jared wanted me to be the starting link to our attacks. I loved that responsibility.
What was/were your first impression(s) of Akron?
My first impressions were that Akron was a close knit group and city. Coming from a small city it felt very normal and comfortable to me.
What makes being a student-athlete at Akron unique?
The support at Akron makes the student-athlete life unique. They have so many resources on and off the field.
What are your favorite memories on court, field, etc.?
Winning the national championship is an easy choice, but I would say beating UNC and Wake Forest in one weekend. ACC teams always talk smack about us and the MAC, but to go into those places and win 3-0 and 2-0 felt good.
One of the best aspects of being a student-athlete is teammate camaraderie. Give us an example from your experience as a student-athlete.
I still talk to many of my teammates weekly. It says something to the people, not just the players that are brought in.
What is your personal success story?
I’ve been lucky to play professional soccer for 10 years now. I didn’t think I would ever make it to 10, but thankfully Akron helped me be prepared.
What is it that you have learned from being a student-athlete at Akron that you will use throughout your life after graduation?
My Akron degree has set me up for life after soccer as well. Ten years, but I finished thanks to Anne.
How has being a student-athlete at Akron aided in your personal development?
The teamwork and work ethic I gained during my time at Akron has helped propel my career to lengths I didn’t know possible.
Being a student-athlete requires a lot of time management. How have you learned to do so?
Athletes function best on schedules. Developing a schedule early into the semester helped me get above a 3.0 during my time at Akron.
What is your view on the difference between playing and competing?
Competing is for a result. Competing isn’t always fun, but worth it. Playing is always fun.
Being a student-athlete has high physical demands, but also requires mental toughness as well. What have you done to develop both?
I’m a huge believer in visualization. Before a game I’m constantly envisioning situations that might play out. I do this to try and be prepared for anything. The most important aspect is I always come out on the positive end.
Send us a postcard! Share your story as a Zips' student-athlete and Alum.
Challenge your former teammates and classmates to send us postcards on all of Akron's Zips' social media platforms.
You can upload your own video challenges on your own Twitter (preferred) or other social media accounts, if you do so, please include #ZipsRiseTogether and #ZipsAlumniPostcardChallenge in your social media posts so we can highlight your efforts. Additionally, please visit GoZips.com/AlumniPostcard to complete an online postcard.
Zarek Valentin (2009-10, men's soccer)
What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
The lifelong relationships I’ve made and being a part of one of the best college soccer teams to ever.
How are you and your family doing during this time?
We are making orange juice from lemons. My son is eight months now and I would’ve never been able to spend this time with him so I’m loving every second.
Any messages of hope or inspiration for fellow Zips out there?
Find your silver lining! We all have so much down time and to waste it would be a shame. Pick up a new book, take a class, learn a language.
Do you have any work from home tips that you have learned while quarantined?
Find your special place. I find that if I try to do work on the couch or in my “chill” space, nothing gets done. Find a “work” space and get after it.
What is your current job, title, ect. that are keeping you busy these days?
Houston Dynamo defender.
What was/were the deciding factors(s) that brought you to Akron?
Steve Zakuani. I saw him play against Cincinnati and he scored to wild goals and I thought man, I can’t wait to play with him. I committed and he left for the draft. I also was roommates with Blair Gavin in high school and he helped convince me. Those two players coupled with the fact that Caleb and Jared wanted me to be the starting link to our attacks. I loved that responsibility.
What was/were your first impression(s) of Akron?
My first impressions were that Akron was a close knit group and city. Coming from a small city it felt very normal and comfortable to me.
What makes being a student-athlete at Akron unique?
The support at Akron makes the student-athlete life unique. They have so many resources on and off the field.
What are your favorite memories on court, field, etc.?
Winning the national championship is an easy choice, but I would say beating UNC and Wake Forest in one weekend. ACC teams always talk smack about us and the MAC, but to go into those places and win 3-0 and 2-0 felt good.
One of the best aspects of being a student-athlete is teammate camaraderie. Give us an example from your experience as a student-athlete.
I still talk to many of my teammates weekly. It says something to the people, not just the players that are brought in.
What is your personal success story?
I’ve been lucky to play professional soccer for 10 years now. I didn’t think I would ever make it to 10, but thankfully Akron helped me be prepared.
What is it that you have learned from being a student-athlete at Akron that you will use throughout your life after graduation?
My Akron degree has set me up for life after soccer as well. Ten years, but I finished thanks to Anne.
How has being a student-athlete at Akron aided in your personal development?
The teamwork and work ethic I gained during my time at Akron has helped propel my career to lengths I didn’t know possible.
Being a student-athlete requires a lot of time management. How have you learned to do so?
Athletes function best on schedules. Developing a schedule early into the semester helped me get above a 3.0 during my time at Akron.
What is your view on the difference between playing and competing?
Competing is for a result. Competing isn’t always fun, but worth it. Playing is always fun.
Being a student-athlete has high physical demands, but also requires mental toughness as well. What have you done to develop both?
I’m a huge believer in visualization. Before a game I’m constantly envisioning situations that might play out. I do this to try and be prepared for anything. The most important aspect is I always come out on the positive end.
