Phoenix College Athletics alumni-centric series featuring many of our previous athletes in which they update friends, family and fellow alums. Participating alumni discuss what it meant to be a part of their respective program, where they are now and how PC impacted their growth.
Featured Alumni: Ariel Aguas '19, former Phoenix College men's soccer player (2017-19) and current Athletic Training Student at PC.
What years did you attend PC?
· 2017-19
Major?
- Associate in arts
Sport?
- Men's Soccer
What position?
· Captain Center Back
What are some accolades you achieved during your time at PC?
- ALL-ACCAC/NJCAA Region 1 First Team 2018
- ALL ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM 2017-2018/ 2018-2019
What do you miss most about your time at PC?
· I miss having teammates, professors, coaches, and faculty around. It was a nice environment that was created during my time at PC.
How has being a student athlete impacted you?
· Being a student athlete impacted me by mastering different skills that have helped me on and off the field. Being able to escalate the level of responsibility and sacrifices to achieve what I always wanted.
What is the impact that Coach Cameron had on you?
· Coach Cameron has been a role model, father, coach, mentor, and friend. All my success has been started by him. He trusted on me and gave me many facilities to achieve my dream.
How did PC and Coach Cameron prepare you for the next level (Grand Canyon University)? How was your experience at GCU? Accolades?
- Both gave me the opportunity to show my level on the soccer field and also the path of what I need to do/have in order to pursue the next level. From English classes, to soccer skills, and also mental work were couple of the things that helped me transferred to GCU.
- My experience at GCU was indescribable, I reached the peak of my college soccer career and also the amount of connections, friends, professors, coaches i created, I wouldn't change for anything.
- During my time at GCU :
-
- Team Captain.
- Honorable Mention ALL-WAC 2019-2020
- ALL-WAC First Team Men's Soccer 2020-2021
- Regular Season WAC Champions 2020-2021
- Regular Season WAC Champions 2021/2022
Fondest memory from playing at PC?
· When my teammates designated me as their team captain. It was a moment that stood out to me during the entire year playing at PC.
Any advice to young soccer players wanting to continue on to the next level?
· The only advice I can give is that "If you really want something you must live it. You need to leave everything behind and focus on the journey and results will come."
You are currently a professional soccer player for Cumbaya Futbol Club, please touch on what it takes and your experience so far?
- What does it take to play professionally? It takes to be professional in all meanings, you have to do everything that normal people wouldn't want to do. You have to make sacrifices; you have to live by it.
- My experience so far has been great, playing at the biggest soccer stadiums here in Ecuador have been fantastic, and also having the chance to be seen for future National Team call ups for the and the chance to play overseas.
How many years have you played professionally? Other Teams?
- I have been playing professionally 8 months. I had a 6 years College soccer career and before that I played 7 years in Liga De Quito Youth academies.
Hobbies outside of soccer
· I love to dance, listen to music, and spend time with friends and family.
Alumni interested in participating can reach out to Jada Willingham at jada.willingham@phoenixcollege.edu. Follow us on Twitter (PC_Bears) and Instagram (@phoenix_college_athletics)
