Every year, the San Jose Earthquakes Academy sends numerous players to top universities around the country. Some will go on to play professionally, while others are being put in a position to exceed in other fields.
With the Quakes Academy hitting on all cylinders and Homegrown signings surely coming through in the near future, sjearthquakes.com chats with former members of San Jose’s youth system that are now competing at the collegiate level.
Full name: Diego Alonso-Rodriguez
College: Cal Poly
Year: 2020
Major: Business Administration
Which Years with the SJEQ Academy: 2014-16
Q: How are you enjoying college so far and what led you to choose the school you’re attending?
A: Cal Poly has been great for me. Cal Poly is blended with great academics along with a successful soccer program. I chose Cal Poly because of the atmosphere that the soccer program offered. The fervor that students and San Luis Obispo residents show was a big part of my choice. The coaching staff here is great and the program itself is growing tremendously with lots of potential. The school of Business also caught my attention as it’s very prestigious.
Q: How did playing for the Earthquakes Academy prepare you for the next level?
A: Playing for the Earthquakes Academy helped develop both my soccer skills and real life, off the field characteristics. Being coached by Stephen Wondolowski and Coach Paul Holocher, has been a huge reason for my success. They teach you to create goals and work after them, whether it’s to become a pro or to play at collegiate level. The Quakes academy taught me how be a mature and and balanced teenager. At such a young age, traveling all over the country, they teach how to balance life, with and without soccer.
Q: Do you still keep in touch with your former coaches and teammates? Do you share experiences and advice with each other?
A: I do stay in contact with my old coaches. They are kind enough to check up on me once in awhile while I am out here in college. I also do still contact old teammates to see how they are doing in college and how soccer is treating them. A lot of ex-teammates of mine now play in the Big West Conference so I am blessed to be on the field with them again, even thought just as opponents, including Rei Dorwart (CSUF), Abraham Rosales (Sac. State) and Jamal Bernardez (SDSU).
Q: What are your on-field goals for this season and your four years in college?
A: To win the Big West Tournament and to go far in College Cup. In my next three years, a 3-peat (Big West Tournament) would be a dream.
Q: What lessons did you learn from the Academy that you still carry with you today?
A: The balance in life is important. Soccer is very important, yes, but your education and life outside of those are as important. Leaving everything on field and always with a mindset of giving your 100% at all times. Staying discipline both on and off the field, and to never walk away with your head down.
