Chico State Athletics

Go ahead and feel sorry for Juan Perez if you want to. He has faced a lengthy string of bad luck. Just don't expect him to join your pity party.
 
A midfielder on the Chico State men's soccer team, Perez has overcome a number of obstacles. He missed consecutive seasons after one knee injury was followed immediately by an injury to the other. Now, since being cleared by his doctor to play, Perez is awaiting word (along with the rest of Chico State's student-athletes) on this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, with a remarkable sense of purpose and amazing attitude, our Wildcat of the Week is committed to making sure that's only a small part of his story.
 
He spoke Monday afternoon from Silicon Valley where he is living in a friend's back room, training and going to school virtually.
 
"There are a lot of people I can train with here, which is why I came down. I'm trying to get after it with soccer. It's what I love doing," Perez said. "As soon as COVID hit, I sat down and put my training schedule together. I've been getting after it ever since."
 
Perez's sense of purpose and positive attitude are two of the many traits passed down from his parents, Juan and Juanita.
 
"Things weren't always easy and we faced a lot of challenges, but my parents always went to work and always had a positive attitude," Perez said. "My mom had this saying: 'Better times are yet to come.' To me that means that there are going to be hard times, but you can tell a lot about a person if they are able to keep their head down and work with a smile on their face."
 
Perez hails from Vallejo, and his high school, Jesse Bethel, had never had great soccer success. Until Perez's senior season when he led the Jaguars to the Solano County Athletic Conference title and a postseason victory, earning SCAC Player of the Year honors and the attention of Chico State Head Coach Felipe Restrepo in the process.
 
"Not too many go to college where I come from," Perez said. "It was a great opportunity for me."
 
While Perez excelled on the pitch right away upon his arrival in Chico—he started five matches as a true freshman—the transition was tougher academically. "I had a different mentality than I did with soccer. I didn't put too much effort into it."
 
A comment when he was back home on break, following his injury, shook Perez from his academic slumber.
 
"A guy said to me: 'Dang, you went all the way to Chico just to get hurt?' That's when I decided I was going to get a degree."
 
Last spring, Perez was on the Dean's list for his first time. This spring, he is set to graduate with a degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in physical education teacher education. He is currently applying to graduate school.
 
"My ultimate goal if I don't go pro is to coach. I want to be a coach/mentor, kind of like what Felipe does, and give more kids the opportunity that Felipe gave me. There's a lot of talent everywhere. There just needs to be more guidance. Like in my community, there were people that were more talented than me. I was just more committed. They needed someone who believed in them."
 
But Perez's soccer dreams have not been dimmed by his long layoff. Not by a long shot.
 
"Those injuries have brought out the warrior in me. It sounds crazy to say it, but my injuries have all been blessings in disguise," Perez said. "I am stronger physically and mentally then I've ever been. I'm just waiting for my journey with soccer to really begin here at Chico State. It's been a game of Chutes and Ladders but I'm going to leave my mark here. Give me that full season and I'm going to make sure everybody knows I was here."
 
However, it's not just about soccer any more for Perez.
 
"If I could go back and do it all over again, I would," he said. "These injuries have built me into who I am today and I'm really happy with who I have become and who I am becoming."

Do you know a Wildcat who deserves to be considered for a Wildcat of the Week honor? We're looking for current student-athletes who are making you proud athletically, academically, and/or in the community. If you have an idea, please take a moment to let us know by completing this five-question survey.