Men's Soccer

Men's Soccer welcomed 16 first-year players this fall, meaning nearly two out of every three players on the roster are new to F&M. With so many new players, the challenge is not simply to build a talented soccer team, but to build a connected one.

The theme of this season is the South African philosophy of Ubuntu — “I am because we are.” That theme grows directly out of head coach Dan Wagner’s book American Ubuntu: A Team That Refused to Break, which reflects on his life and nearly 25 years of F&M soccer. Ubuntu asks the players to understand that individual success and team success are inseparable. It means recognizing that leadership is not reserved for captains, and that the standards, relationships and sacrifices of previous generations have helped create the opportunities this team has today.

That connection between past and future is especially significant as F&M celebrates the 99th year of men’s soccer. This year, the program will also celebrate the induction of Dave Rosenfeld '15 into the F&M Athletics Hall of Fame during True Blue Weekend.

Your gift to men's soccer will help make it possible for the entire team to return to South Africa for the first time since 2017. Following the passing of Chris Campbell, the team's connection in South Africa helped lead to the creation of the CTC Ten Safe-Hub. The trip would allow the current players to connect the history and Ubuntu values with the people and places that shaped them.

Donor support has also helped the team purchase eight mini-goals and create a makeshift team kitchen to supplement healthy food for players after late night practices or before team travel.