SportsFootball

Hernandez juggles life between sports, school

Freshman Armando Hernandez has played football for six years and soccer and baseball for 14 years. He competes in both football and soccer this season. Hernandez, a diversified major, hopes to teach fourth grade. He has worked as a teacher's assistant for his aunt's fourth grade class in Whittier. / photo by Rhidian Maehl
Freshman Armando Hernandez has played football for six years and soccer and baseball for 14 years. He competes in both football and soccer this season. Hernandez, a diversified major, hopes to teach fourth grade. He has worked as a teacher’s assistant for his aunt’s fourth grade class in Whittier. / photo by Rhidian Maehl

by Laura Czingula
Staff Writer

After a tough soccer practice, freshman Armando Hernandez quickly takes off his shin guards and puts on his football pads and helmet, for another two-hour practice with the University of La Verne football team.

“I picked La Verne for the good education and great sports programs,” Hernandez said. “My parents encourage me to play in both sports, as long as I get good grades. They were always supportive and inspired me to give it my all. They were there to pick me back up and keep me going.”

His parents and family try to make it to every game, even though the schedule conflict can be rough.

Hernandez is a 20-year-old freshman, who graduated from Damien High School in 1994 and continued his education at Chaffey Junior College for one year. He is now a resident of Brandt Hall and is used to a lot of people being around, with having two brothers and a sister, all of whom he says he is very close to.

He is currently taking 15 units as a diversified major, while playing both soccer and football. He plays the center midfield position for the soccer team and is kicker for the football team, starting in both positions. He has played sports his entire life, football for six years, soccer and baseball for 14 years.

Soccer practice begins at 2 p.m. for Hernandez and ends at 4 p.m., at least for everyone else it ends at 4 p.m. For Hernandez, practice is barely half over as he rushes over to the football field until 6 p.m.

“Armando is full of energy everyday,” said head football coach Don Morel. “He is learning to focus and concentrate and is 100 percent in physical condition.”

Hernandez begins his busy schedule every morning at 7 a.m. He goes to classes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then it is off to practices. He does not have time for homework until about 11 p.m.

“Some days are more demanding than others,” said Hernandez. “The coaches are usually considerate towards me because of my situation. They just demand all that I could possibly give to them.”

Most coaches in college would not except this from their athletes, but as for Morel, he does not mind. “University of La Verne is a place open for people playing in two sports, whether it is at the same time or different seasons,” Morel said.

If a game or practice conflicted with each other in any way, Hernandez would certainly try to make both. For example, the ULV soccer team had a tournament in San Jose the same weekend of the football teams opening game against Azusa Pacific University. Right after the football game was over, Hernandez hurried home, took a shower, got his luggage, and was on a plane to San Jose to meet up with his other teammates for the last day of the tournament. But if he had to choose between sports, football comes first for him.

In football, San Diego Chargers middle linebacker Junior Seau gives Hernandez inspiration because, ” He always gives it his best. He is a role model for me.”

But when it comes to baseball, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken motivates Hernandez because, “He has not missed a game for 14 years.”

“Football is time consuming, along with baseball and soccer, but I love to play and compete in them,” said Hernandez.

Competing in two contact sports at the same time, Hernandez overlooks the possibility of getting hurt, and hopes it does not happen.

“Getting hurt or having an injury is always a concern,” said Morel.

Hernandez picked ULV from a long list of other schools that wanted him such as Cal Baptist, Cal Lutheran and Chico State.

He was recruited for football as well as baseball, which is the other sport he will play this spring when football and soccer are over.

“I feel more comfortable while playing baseball, I have a better time with it.”

Whenever Hernandez has time and is not practicing, he has a work study job in the field maintenance component of the Athletic Department, and is trying to get caught up on his studies. He can also be seen driving around campus in his smoke grey ’68 Volkswagen Bug.

Coaching and teaching at a high school are what Hernandez wishes to do when he graduates from La Verne with his bachelors degree.

“So far it has been a good experience, I feel like I am maturing in both school and sports, ” said Hernandez.

Laura Czingula, Sports Editor
Laura Czingula
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