Photo courtesy of Don Liebig, ASUCLA
Not being recruited by a top school sends the message that you’re not good enough. Even though I knew I was; it still requires a lot of mental strength to believe you can succeed. You need the mental strength to go out and do it.
Shawn Singh
UCLA Men’s Soccer
2011: Played in 19 games starting 17. Bruins are 14-4-1 and 9-0-0 in the PAC 12
2010: 2nd Team All-PAC 10, Honorable Mention All-PAC 10 Academic team, started 19 of 20 games
2009: Starter in 15 out of 17 games
Shawn Singh attended Garces Memorial Catholic High School in Bakersfield, California. He believed he could play at a higher level based on his performance against good competition. But he didn’t get heavily recruited out of high school. He was accepted to UCLA. He enrolled and didn’t play his freshman year. He missed soccer. He worked hard to get in shape and made the team as a walk-on.
WillofaChampion: Why do you think you weren’t heavily recruited out of high school?
Shawn: Bakersfield is geographically isolated from the top teams. So I didn’t get the exposure from big tournaments where coaches scout. My coaches and others told me I had a lot of potential. But I wasn’t at the level I needed to be in order to get recruited to a top school.
WillofaChampion: What was one of your greatest challenges as a Walk-on?
Photo courtesy of Jeff Sipsey
Shawn: Earning the respect of my teammates. Veterans can be skeptical of new players. So you have to earn their respect. I was able to do that fairly quickly.
WillofaChampion: How did you earn their respect quickly?
Shawn: By competing and demonstrating I was at a similar level.
WillofaChampion: Did you have to spend extra time practicing, running, or working-out compared to the scholarship players?
Shawn: Not when I was part of the team. We did everything together. Before becoming a Bruin I worked with my closest friend from back home. For a month or so prior to my try-out we were doing double and triple days; running, technical work, and lifting.
WillofaChampion: Do you think a walk-on has to be mentally tougher than a scholarship player? Referring to when you first joined the team, are there more obstacles for a walk-on?
Shawn: I think it is more challenging for a walk-on. Not being recruited by a top school sends the message that you’re not good enough. Even though I knew I was; it still requires a lot of mental strength to believe you can succeed. You need the mental strength to go out and do it.
WillofaChampion: How did your teammates receive you?
Shawn: The players I thought would not be very welcoming, the older better players, were very welcoming. That surprised me. There was tension with those I competed with for a spot; but not anymore.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Sipsey
WillofaChampion: How did your coaches receive you?
Shawn: Almost surprisingly well. I played in a league a lot of college players join. I was able to make a name for myself. Eric Wynalda, former US National team player, the goal scoring leader before Landon Donovan, talked to Jorge Salcedo (UCLA Head Coach) about me. So Coach Salcedo and the other coaches recognized me and welcomed me to try out.
WillofaChampion: Why do you think you’ve made it when other walk-ons do not?
Shawn: I have a strong mentality when it comes to difficult times. My father passed-away when I was a senior; so I’ve been able to over-come obstacles. When I experience setbacks I learn from them and persevere.
WillofaChampion: When you go through challenging times, who do you speak with to encourage you?
Shawn: Family. My best friend from back home; we’re really close. We can talk about anything. He really understands me. I call him if I need to talk and he gives me support.
WillofaChampion: What impact has following your dream and earning it had on the rest of your life?
Shawn: In high school I didn’t think I could start at UCLA. Now I know I can persevere if I work hard and stay mentally strong. That success has had a huge impact on my life and development. If I focus and work hard while maintaining discipline I will succeed.
WillofaChampion: What advice do you have for other athletes considering walking-on?
Shawn: Don’t let anyone distract you from your dreams. Don’t listen when they say you can’t pursue your dream. If you have the will and ambition to pursue your dream nothing will hold you back.
Shawn is majoring in economics.
Interview: November 2011