(Photo Courtesy: Deanbulldogs.com)
After growing up in Spain, Junior, Albert Del Rio joined the Dean community following his transfer from the University of Rio Grande. Del Rio is an athletic coaching and recreation management major and the goalie for the Dean's Men’s soccer team.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Albert described his transition from Spain to America as difficult. It was a challenging transition, as Del Rio could not go anywhere outside his room. Once his quarantine period passed, everything started to get better for him, as he could go to his games, hang with his teammates, and explore new places. With fewer restrictions in place as opposed to previous, happier days were ahead for Del Rio. Although, Albert started to experience adversity on his team as he noticed he was receiving minimal playing time on the field, urging him to transfer schools.
Roughly a year ago, Albert and Joseph Campbell, the men’s head soccer coach, met through NCSA, a recruiting organization for future college athletes and coaches to connect, while Albert was still at University of Rio Grande. Coach Campbell made it clear that he wanted Albert on his Dean Soccer team, giving Albert very little contemplation. Shortly after, Albert became a Bulldog as a new transfer student for the 2022 season.
When asked about the difference between the two unique styles of soccer in the United States and Spain, Albert noted a few key factors. “It is a lot of running and everything, but where I come from back home, the sport is more about tactics”, which is a notable observation Del Rio has acknowledged. He also pointed out how he feels Americanized soccer contains more aggression than his cultural game consists of.
Albert was asked the reasoning behind pursuing his major and explained that he has always loved sports and managing them. He previously worked at a sports summer camp where he primarily taught soccer to younger children and rock climbing, which served as an excellent chance for him to engage with the kids and form bonds with them over a summer-long period.
With one more year to go for Albert, when asked what he expects or hopes to accomplish in his final year, he targeted his focus toward internship opportunities and earning good grades and his degree.
Albert plans to stay at Dean College and play on the soccer team in his final year.
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