Conqu'ring Heroes: Vasquez Discusses Journey from Colombia, U-M’s Early Performance
9/23/2021 9:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer, Features
In this week's episode of Conqu'ring Heroes, we talk Michigan men's soccer with sophomore Simon Vasquez. He chats with Jon Jansen about the team's early-season performance and the differences between last year and this year around campus. Also, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Vasquez discusses his family's journey from Colombia to the United States and what he hopes people learn during this month-long celebration of the Hispanic culture.
By Emma Warshofsky
University of Michigan men's soccer player Simon Vasquez grew up with ideal role models to foster his sense of ambition and determination. Leaving Colombia as soon as they graduated college, his parents made the decision to move to the United States to give their children access to better opportunities and education.
"I've learned from their sacrifice and their commitment that even when times get hard, when you start thinking 'maybe I can't do this,' you have to get rid of those thoughts right away and keep fighting for what you want to achieve," Vasquez said on this week's edition of the "Conqu'ring Heroes" podcast.
Vasquez shared that with this month being Hispanic Heritage Month, he is celebrating who he is and where he and his family come from, and he gave an example of why he is proud of his heritage.
"This month is an opportunity for me to appreciate and be thankful for the sacrifice my family made to leave their life in Colombia and come to the United States to give me and my sibling a better life.
"There should be more light that shines on how nice the people (in Colombia) are, how amiable they are and how they're always wanting to help you," he said. "When I'm in Colombia and, let's say someone's walking down he street with their head down, people are just so nice that a random person on the street could stop and ask you 'what's up' and just try to talk to you and try to make your day better."Vasquez is doing his best to help Michigan as well. With a 3-4-1 overall record this year that has had its share of hard-fought matches, he is confident the Wolverines can channel the mentality of staying positive and fighting to achieve into making a run as Big Ten Conference play continues to ramp up in the coming weeks.
"With our style, our intensity and training, we're hoping we can start a winning streak from here on out," Vasquez said. "We set our goals very highly. The ultimate goal every year is obviously the national championship. I feel like we're in the right spot for that."
The midfielder believes Michigan not only has the talent on the pitch to be a contender but also the necessary chemistry and leadership off the field. With veteran players Marc Ybarra, Umar Farouk Osman, Joel Harrison, Austin Swiech and Mohammed Zakyi all taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 and returning to Ann Arbor, the team has no shortage of leaders.
Vasquez also credits senior teammate Kevin Buca as having a big impact on the team's chemistry.
"Kevin is a great leader on and off the field," said Vasquez of his fellow midfielder. "He really helps bring the team together by integrating the new players that came this year and asking how people are as a person -- not just as players."
As an example of their close-knit environment, the men's soccer team made an effort last year to build its culture with weekly meetings in which the players and staff discussed social justice.
The meetings, known as the "Social Justice 101 Initiative" were started by head coach Chaka Daley in June 2020 and had a great impact on Vasquez and his teammates.
"Not only did I learn more about the history of racial and social injustice, but I also learned more about my teammates and how I could be there for each one through thick and thin."
