Aug. 20, 2008
Last year was Bryan Cunningham's first campaign as the head coach of the UCF men's soccer team, and this season he is looking to build upon last season with great leadership from senior forward Ryan Roushandel. This past fall, Roushandel earned a spot on the Conference USA All-Academic Team, and was selected to the All-C-USA Second Team. The UCF athletics communications staff recently talked with Roushandel to discuss his feelings for upcoming season and how he will lead the Knights on the field and in the classroom.
Will it be difficult this preseason knowing this will be your final year with the Knights?
Of course being your last season you feel that you have to give it your all, but at the same time I am looking to lead the team, enjoy my last year and not take anything for granted.
Looking back, what has been your favorite soccer moment throughout your UCF career?
My favorite would be a couple years ago when we tied SMU on our field. At the time they were ranked number one in the nation. It was an awesome feeling and if you ask anyone on our team that played in that game, they will say we should have won it. That game is something we always talk about.
As a student-athlete, can you describe a typical day for you during the fall season?
It is pretty busy. We usually have a block from 12 to 5 when we are not allowed to have class because it is all soccer between those times. I usually get up pretty early around 8. I have two classes in the morning, then sprint home and head to the training room to get ready for practice. I am usually there around 1:30 getting treatment. We have a couple hours of practice, then I head back to the training room for more treatment. Somewhere in between then I have to find time to eat three meals, do my homework and make sure my studies are good. I get to bed at a decent hour, and get ready to do it all again the next day.
What are your goals academically for 2008-09?
This will be my fifth year in college, so I am hoping to finally graduate this year. I only have five credit hours left with three in the fall and two in the spring, so my biggest goal is to graduate. I surpassed my goals last year when I was nominated for UCF's scholar-athlete award, which was an unbelievable honor. Receiving my diploma is the ultimate goal for this year.
What was harder to attain last year, a spot on the Conference USA All-Academic Team, or a spot on the All-C-USA Second Team?
I knew I was always a good enough student when I wanted to be... when I did my work and studied, but it was definitely a surprise to me when I made that team because it was something I had never achieved before. I was proud of that award because of how hard I worked. I also know that there are so many good players out there in Conference USA, and being named to the All-C-USA Second team is an honor because we may not be one of the most well known soccer schools as of yet, but being able to help bring that recognition to this school was a special honor.
What are your impressions of the new assistant coaches, Jim Cofer and James Prosser?
They both seem like very good coaches. They both have a lot of energy, love what they do and want to make this team better. That is what you need out of your assistants, people who are going to encourage you and give you confidence day in and day out. They are stand up guys and I am pretty excited to have both of them and look to become better friends with them not just this year, but forever.
- Eric DeSalvo