CHICAGO, IL (November 11, 2005) – Austin Person, the North Park University Vikings’ standout goalie, says he is more proud of being named last week to the Academic All-Region Team than in his many other athletic accomplishments.
“It’s because they honor you for everything you do on campus,” he says. “It means more to me than being named to the First Team (All-CCIW Conference) last year.”
Person is a third generation student at North Park, following in the steps of his grandmother and father. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where he attended First Covenant Church.
Person has distinguished himself as a student athlete and member of the university community. Planning on going to medical school, the biology major is carrying a 3.67 GPA, received an Excellence in Chemistry scholarship, and is a member of the Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society. He also serves in the Student Senate, is a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and has appeared in many campus plays, including a lead role.
His accomplishments on the field also have been impressive since becoming the team’s starter in the first game of 2004. Over the last two years the team’s 2004 Most Valuable Player has been a major reason the Vikings captured two consecutive CCIW championships and a first-ever birth in the NCAA Division III tournament this year.
The 6-foot-5 junior goalie has recorded eight shutouts – nearly half of the matches – on the way to an 11-6-1 season in 2005. He had a stingy Goals Against Average (GAA) of only 1.09 for 2005 and set a school record of 0.85 GAA in 2004. Person also was named to the First Team All-CCIW Conference and the First Team National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Midwest Region in 2004.
His success on the field has “been a little bit of a surprise,” he says. “I really chalk a lot of it up to the defense that has been in front of me. They know how to get it done. I’m just one-eleventh of a team,” he adds. “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the whole team effort.”
The shutouts have been impressive, but Person again defers credit. “I can think back at every single shutout when our defense came up huge or we just got lucky,”
Person also credits Coach John Born with his development. The goalie says Born kept instilling confidence in him through a five-game losing streak against nationally and regionally ranked teams earlier in the season. “Losing five straight made me more hesitant,” Person says. “Coach just pulled me aside, and he told me what I need to work on. Coach never lost confidence in me. He’s been great the whole season in instilling confidence in not only me but also the whole team.”
Born says much of Person’s improvement has been due to the goalie’s diligence. “Since Austin arrived here at North Park, he has transformed himself into a top-notch goalkeeper. The sole reason for his improvement is his own determination and intelligence in playing the position.”
Person could be playing at a much larger school, Born says. “He clearly is on the same level as Division I keepers.”
“I don’t know about that,” says Person, sounding surprised at Born’s comments. “I’m very happy here. North Park was the only place I applied to go to school.”
Born says he appreciates Person’s character as much as he does his on-field performance. “He is not only one of the best players ever at North Park; he is a great person who humbly goes about his business.”
Person says his faith has helped guide him, especially through that nasty losing streak. “It was like God was saying ‘you’ll get through this.’ I learned a lot about perseverance.”
Person says the highlight of his career has been defeating Wheaton three consecutive times over the last two years, recording shutouts in each match. “It was unreal. It’s an incredible since of accomplishment.” The victories ensured that for the last two years the Vikings held sole possession of the CCIW top spot – a position to which the nationally ranked Wheaton has been accustomed.
Person hopes to add to his season highlights in the first round of the tournament at 11 a.m. Saturday when the team plays Macalester College on the campus of Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.
(Editor’s note: The accompanying photo is courtesy of Eric Staswick.)
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
