It’s one thing to play the sport you love in college, but it’s even more special to start on a team that’s considered one of the best. That’s what Waimea’s Desmond Rodrigues faces, as the second round of regionals approaches
It’s one thing to play the sport you love in college, but it’s even more special to start on a team that’s considered one of the best.
That’s what Waimea’s Desmond Rodrigues faces, as the second round of regionals approaches for Santa Rosa Junior College, who’s 15-0-2 overall, 12-0-2 in conference play.
The Cubs are the Bay Valley Conference Champions, but to Rodrigues, this is only the beginning for a team destined to reach the state final four in Long Beach, Calif. The 2003 Waimea High School graduate redshirted his first season at Santa Rosa, which sits an hour north of San Francisco.
Now in his freshman year, Rodrigues found Santa Rosa through club coaches and with help from Santa Rosa JC assistant coach Kelcey Chaidez, who’s originally from Hilo.
While at Waimea, Rodrigues also played basketball and ran track (long jump, triple jump). In his own estimation, basketball was his main sport, but making the switch to soccer wasn’t a hard decision.
At right fullback, Rodrigues started the first six games of the season, until he got sandwiched by two opponents, which caused a concussion and kept him off the field for three games.
Rodrigues carries a 3.0 G.P.A. and wants to major in fire science, in hopes of following in his Uncle Val Martin’s footsteps in becoming a firefighter.
Rodrigues wants to stay in Calfornia and play soccer, when he transfers after next season, but he still misses the place where his heart remains.
“I miss Kaua‘i so much…the food, the weather, the beach, my family and friends, I miss everything,” Rodrigues said.
But with seven other players on the squad from Hawai‘i, the transition wasn’t as difficult. The toughest part for Rodrigues so far is traveling long distances on road trips.
“On Kaua‘i, we don’t travel far, but up here it’s really different, and I’m not used to that yet,” Rodrigues said.
With a good supporting cast, Rodrigues has come a long way and hopes to continue his success, while showing Kaua‘i athletes that they can do it too.
“Any athlete on Kaua‘i that wants to continue to play sports and further their education should go for it and talk to their coaches about it,” Rodrigues said.
Good message coming from a person who’s already done it.
“My family, coaches, and friends, are the one’s who I want to thank for what I’ve been able to do so far,” Rodrigues said. Santa Rosa JC is currently playing in the regional tournament.
