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Give & Go: Wake Forest's Austin da Luz
Next up in Goal.com's series with players at the MLS combine is Wake Forest midfielder Austin da Luz.
Jan 9, 2010 4:44:27 PM
Austin da Luz, yet another elite midfielder to come through the Wake Forest program, signed with Major League Soccer prior to the 2010 combine. The Demon Deacon was one of just five seniors to ink with MLS. The First Team All-ACC selection answered some questions for Goal.com before traveling to Florida for this weekend's event.
Goal.com: Many out there in the United States who follow college soccer would note that Wake Forest is as close to a football factory as this country has. Top players year after year come through the ranks and go on to pro careers here or overseas. Do you think that this is a fair assessment?
Austin da Luz: I think that this is definitely a fair assessment. However, I don't think that is how many of us as players looked at it when we decided to join the program. I think when I decided to come to Wake, I did it because I wanted to be a part of something special. I didn’t see it as simply a channel to the pro game. I knew that Coach Jay's main focus is player development, which is why we have been so successful year after year despite losing talented classes. Obviously this is beneficial when making the transition to the pro game, but I don't think that my primary focus when coming to Wake was making that jump as soon as possible, it was making the program better by making myself better.
How competitive is the training ground with so many elite athletes on the pitch?
The training ground is incredibly competitive. Nothing is guaranteed to any player and you truly have to earn the jersey week in and week out. Like you said there are so many elite players and we demand a lot from one another which makes it a very professional environment.
How do you balance being at student-athlete at such a prestigious academic institution?
Balancing athletics and academics at such a demanding school is all about time management. Between training, games, and class you really have to be disciplined with when you get your work done. Our coaching staff and our academic counselor are also always up to date with our grades and our academic standing, so they do a great job of making sure we stay on track.
You leave the program as the all-time leader in assists. With all the talented midfielders to come through the program, have you had time to reflect on this accomplishment?
Having been around the program since I was 9 years old, it is definitely a humbling accomplishment. Being at the top of that list with players that I have looked up to all my life like Justin Moose, Scott Sealy, Brian Carroll, and Corben Bone is something that I'm very proud of. But it's also a testament to the great players I've had around me in my four years at Wake. When you're giving the ball to guys like Marcus Tracy, Zack Schilawski and Cody Arnoux, more often than not they are going to put it in the back of the net.
Recent Wake Forest midfielders Pat Phelan [New England Revolution] and Sam Cronin [Toronto FC] have found success at the MLS level. Have you spoken to them about the MLS Combine process?
I have talked to several of the guys that have moved on to be successful in the pros. In terms of the combine they all said similar things: mainly just to play my game because that is what got me invited in the first place. Also just to be relaxed and trust that my time at Wake has more than prepared me for the combine and hopefully the following couple of months.
Do you think there is an advantage to heading down to Florida with teammates?
I'm not sure if there is much of an advantage, but it will definitely be nice to have a few of my closest friends there going through it at the same time. We have been through a lot together at Wake and I just feel privileged to be able to be around those guys for at least one more weekend of soccer together.
How is your first touch right now after time off from competitive action?
I think my touch is good. Fortunately we had a longer season than most college teams so I don't feel like I've been away from the game for too long. It will definitely be nice to get back on a field and get some competitive games in, especially against the top college players in the country.
What have you worked on/focused in on prior to the combine?
I've mainly just tried to keep my fitness up and make sure that I'm getting plenty of touches on the ball before I head down. Like I said, there hasn't been a lot of time between the end of the season and the combine to address any bigger issues, so the most important thing for me is just staying fit and trying to maintain the level of play that allowed me to be successful during the college season.
How has your father [coach of Wake Forest women's team] impacted your game?
It's funny because even though my dad has been a coach since before I was born, he has never actually officially been my coach. But because he's been a coach for so long, I basically grew up on soccer fields, so I would definitely say that that is where my passion for the game comes from. He has guided me throughout my entire career both as a parent and as a coach, and he has always encouraged me to express myself as a player and to play the game because I love it and not for any other reason.
Sean Grybos, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Goal.com: Many out there in the United States who follow college soccer would note that Wake Forest is as close to a football factory as this country has. Top players year after year come through the ranks and go on to pro careers here or overseas. Do you think that this is a fair assessment?
Austin da Luz: I think that this is definitely a fair assessment. However, I don't think that is how many of us as players looked at it when we decided to join the program. I think when I decided to come to Wake, I did it because I wanted to be a part of something special. I didn’t see it as simply a channel to the pro game. I knew that Coach Jay's main focus is player development, which is why we have been so successful year after year despite losing talented classes. Obviously this is beneficial when making the transition to the pro game, but I don't think that my primary focus when coming to Wake was making that jump as soon as possible, it was making the program better by making myself better.
How competitive is the training ground with so many elite athletes on the pitch?
The training ground is incredibly competitive. Nothing is guaranteed to any player and you truly have to earn the jersey week in and week out. Like you said there are so many elite players and we demand a lot from one another which makes it a very professional environment.
How do you balance being at student-athlete at such a prestigious academic institution?
Balancing athletics and academics at such a demanding school is all about time management. Between training, games, and class you really have to be disciplined with when you get your work done. Our coaching staff and our academic counselor are also always up to date with our grades and our academic standing, so they do a great job of making sure we stay on track.
You leave the program as the all-time leader in assists. With all the talented midfielders to come through the program, have you had time to reflect on this accomplishment?
Having been around the program since I was 9 years old, it is definitely a humbling accomplishment. Being at the top of that list with players that I have looked up to all my life like Justin Moose, Scott Sealy, Brian Carroll, and Corben Bone is something that I'm very proud of. But it's also a testament to the great players I've had around me in my four years at Wake. When you're giving the ball to guys like Marcus Tracy, Zack Schilawski and Cody Arnoux, more often than not they are going to put it in the back of the net.
Recent Wake Forest midfielders Pat Phelan [New England Revolution] and Sam Cronin [Toronto FC] have found success at the MLS level. Have you spoken to them about the MLS Combine process?
I have talked to several of the guys that have moved on to be successful in the pros. In terms of the combine they all said similar things: mainly just to play my game because that is what got me invited in the first place. Also just to be relaxed and trust that my time at Wake has more than prepared me for the combine and hopefully the following couple of months.
Do you think there is an advantage to heading down to Florida with teammates?
I'm not sure if there is much of an advantage, but it will definitely be nice to have a few of my closest friends there going through it at the same time. We have been through a lot together at Wake and I just feel privileged to be able to be around those guys for at least one more weekend of soccer together.
How is your first touch right now after time off from competitive action?
I think my touch is good. Fortunately we had a longer season than most college teams so I don't feel like I've been away from the game for too long. It will definitely be nice to get back on a field and get some competitive games in, especially against the top college players in the country.
What have you worked on/focused in on prior to the combine?
I've mainly just tried to keep my fitness up and make sure that I'm getting plenty of touches on the ball before I head down. Like I said, there hasn't been a lot of time between the end of the season and the combine to address any bigger issues, so the most important thing for me is just staying fit and trying to maintain the level of play that allowed me to be successful during the college season.
How has your father [coach of Wake Forest women's team] impacted your game?
It's funny because even though my dad has been a coach since before I was born, he has never actually officially been my coach. But because he's been a coach for so long, I basically grew up on soccer fields, so I would definitely say that that is where my passion for the game comes from. He has guided me throughout my entire career both as a parent and as a coach, and he has always encouraged me to express myself as a player and to play the game because I love it and not for any other reason.
Sean Grybos, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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