Wake Forest Athletics
The Recruiting Trail: Ben Newnam
2/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 26, 2009
The Recruiting Trail: Anthony Arena
With February 1st come and gone there is a new crop of Wake Forest Soccer players heading to Winston-Salem. Instead of posting a press release with the "generic" profile, we thought we'd dig a little bit deeper with each player and provide you with an in-depth look at each student athlete. Some basic information for you to know before we meet our first recruit: There are six new student athletes joining us in the class of 2013. Two are on campus and training full time with the team. They come from as close as 10 miles from campus and as far away as Seattle. Today we meet incoming freshman, Ben Newnam.
The coaching staff first met Ben Newnam when he was 10 years old as a Wake Forest camper and a ball boy. Growing up in Kernersville, just 15 minutes from campus, Newnam has been a part of the Wake Forest soccer family for a long time. As Newnam thrived playing for Paul Forester at Twin City, he continued to come to camp and spend time in the stands at Spry Stadium. After earning All-American honors as a junior, it was finally time for Newnam to join Wake Forest. Newnam committed to Wake Forest in the spring of 2008, and followed up his commitment by earning All-American honors for the second straight year and just recently he received the North Carolina High School Player of the Year award for his work at East Forsyth High School. A top student, Newnam hit the books hard after his commitment and graduated early from high school, allowing him to join the Wake Forest soccer program this spring. Since coming on campus, "Newny" has done well to earn his teammates respect and is improving each day...
Before we meet Ben Newnam, Recruiting Trail Trivia:
There are two other players on the current roster that have earned their states `Player of the Year' honor, Name them?
Bonus: One of these players earned the State award twice and received the National Player of the Year Honor his senior year?
Q: When did you first set foot on the Wake Forest Campus?
A: I first set foot on the campus when I was about 10. I played at that time for Twin City Youth Soccer in Winston-Salem and followed the Deacs every chance I had. I was a ball boy and was able to meet a lot of the players and coaches.
Q: How many Wake Camps did you attend?
A: I've been attending wake camps since I can remember... in total I have attended six Wake Camps and various high school and club training camps.
Q: When did you start to think that playing at Wake Forest would become a reality?
A: About half way through my junior year I thought playing for Wake Forest could be a reality. Whenever someone would ask me what college I wanted to go to I would always say I was trying to play soccer at Wake. Those who didn't really know me didn't believe this could be possible but through my contact with the coaches and continued hard work, I started to believe more in myself that my dream would become reality.
Q: How has the start of your semester been thus far?
A: The start of my semester has been great, but very hectic at the same time. I struggled a little at first with managing my time and trying to catch up on the soccer field so I was very busy. Things are starting to settle down a bit but I feel extremely blessed to be able to be here at Wake a semester early so that I will be more able to hit the ground running this coming fall season.
Q: Tell us what was going through your head on the first day of training?
A: There were so many things going through my head the first day! First off it was 7 a.m. The nerves I had were unbelievable...to finally get out on the field with the team was an awesome feeling since I had watched them growing up. The pace of play was overwhelming and I knew I had my work cut out for me.
Q: How do you feel about practice now?
A: I feel I am better prepared for practice and that I am catching up to the speed and seeing the game faster. I still have a long way to go, but I just have to keep working hard and soon it will hopefully all fall into place. I know coach will point me in the right direction, so I must continue to learn and improve on every facet of the game.
Q: What player impresses you the most now that you are on the team?
A: The team is made up of a lot of talented and great players but if I had to pick one player, it would have to be Corben Bone. I always knew he was good from watching him in his two years here, but I didn't realize how much of the game he is able to see and how fast he is able to see it. He not only outworks his opponent, but outsmarts them as well. Some of the things he does not just with the ball, but without the ball make him stand out as one of our best players. He leads by example, rips up the fitness tests, and his talent is up there with the best in the country. I want to learn from him where I need to be and how I can help him and this team become better. He knows the game so well and I know he will help me in so many ways. It is going to be awesome to be able to play with him and help this team be the best it can.
Q: Is there anything that you didn't expect and were surprised about Wake Soccer?
A: I can't say that I am at all surprised with what I have experienced. Wake Soccer is No. 1 for a reason and I expected to have to work hard and earn my way on the team.
