After a 1-0 victory over the University of New Mexico on Friday night, the Pioneer soccer team broke from a post-game discussion with their coaches and dispersed across midfield and the sidelines, some players talking with teammates, some with family and some with professional scouts or local media.
However Kyle Christensen, senior forward, concentrated most on the throng of elementary school soccer players who were gathering around him and nervously asking for his autograph.
Minutes after an intense and pressure-filled game, Christensen talked to the young ball boys about soccer, sharing with them words of encouragement and thanking them for helping out at the game.
Within 10 minutes on Friday-from the closing minutes of a fiery match against a rival team to his friendly chatting with youngsters with a warmth that made him seem like an older brother-Christensen demonstrated exactly why he has been nominated for the 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in NCAA Division I men’s soccer: athletic prowess on the field and academic and philanthropic achievements off the field.
Presented annually to Division I student-athletes in nine different sports, the award considers more than on-the-field accolades and accomplishments. It focuses on achievement in the areas of classroom, character, community and competition. In addition to exhibiting personal integrity and academic success, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, an acronym for “Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School,” rewards seniors who fulfill their entire NCAA athletic eligibility while pursuing the opportunities of a college education.
Christensen accomplished exactly this during his career as a Pioneer.
After leading the team in scoring during his freshman year in fall 2003 and being named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Conference team in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, Christensen left for a two-year mission in Argentina, missing the next two Pioneer men’s soccer seasons.
For two years Christensen dedicated himself to social justice and service as part of his involvement in his The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the church of Mormonism.
Christensen returned for his junior season in fall 2007, picking up where he left off, leading the Pioneers in goals once again.
Head soccer coach Bobby Muuss praised Christensen, a general business major, for his distinguished athletic and academic career.
“Kyle being named a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award validates what a remarkable student-athlete he is. Kyle is a tremendous player, competitor and student,” Muuss said. “He exemplifies what the University of Denver looks for in students and student-athletes. I am extremely happy for him to be named amongst the very best student-athletes in the country.”
In the coming week, a national media committee will select 10 finalists from the current list of 30 candidates. These 10 finalists will earn a spot on a ballot for a nationwide vote beginning Oct. 9. The votes of coaches, media and fans will be tallied until Nov. 19 to determine the final award winners.
They will be announced during the 2008 Division I men’s soccer championships in December in Frisco, Texas.
After Friday’s match against New Mexico, as he was talking and getting to know the ball boys, Christensen talked about the team’s involvement in the Denver community. The team volunteers at nearby elementary schools helping kids with schoolwork and playing soccer with them.
Even though it was obvious Christensen was pleased with his situation-helping both the Pioneer men’s soccer team and the Denver community-he said that after graduation he “would like to continue playing soccer professionally,” but added that “continuing school and pursuing an MBA are also options.”
Regardless of what the future holds for Christensen, his dedication to soccer, his appreciation of his college education and his extensive volunteer efforts provide the experience necessary to attain any of his possible goals-a leadership position in a prominent company, a spot on a professional soccer team, or most immediately, a place atop the podium at the awards ceremony for the 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in December.
The Pioneers will play at home again on Oct. 25.
