Gold Rush Feature: Close to Home
10/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 27, 2010
This article was originally published in the Oct. 16 edition of Gold Rush.
By Jay Reddick
The very best athletic programs can attract blue-chip recruits from across the country. But sometimes, it's what's close to home that counts.
Coach Jay Vidovich has consistently attracted the best players in the western Piedmont to play soccer at Wake Forest, a pipeline that goes back more than 15 years. Two of the latest locals, Luciano Delbono of Winston-Salem and Jared Watts of Statesville, are emerging as stars for the Deacons this season.
Virtually every area player who has come through the Wake Forest system said their most important exposure to the program came through summer youth camps, the chance for grade-schoolers to get instruction and interaction with WFU coaches. Many players still have pictures of themselves at 8 or 9 years old with Vidovich or another Deacons coach or player.
Delbono and Watts are no different.
"Since my family moved here at 4 years old, we attended all the Wake games," said Delbono, a sophomore midfielder from Reynolds High. "I went to Jay's camp for as long as I can remember, and it was always my dream and my aspiration to play here."
Delbono spent most of his freshman year on the bench, seeing action in four games, but started each of the Deacons' first 10 games in 2010. His first collegiate assist came on one of WFU's biggest goals of the early season, the game-winner against No. 2 Virginia.
For his part, Delbono said he didn't expect to play right away in the WFU system, but has grown into his role. He credits 2009 teammates Corben Bone and Ike Opara, along with the Deacons coaches, for his development.
"I knew even when I was recruited that I had a lot of work to do before being able to benefit the team play," Delbono said. "Corben and Ike helped my game a little last year, going through practices. I'm trying to be more of an attacking player, and create more opportunities for the offense."
"Luciano was behind some guys last year and couldn't get on the field for us," Vidovich said. "To his credit, he improved so much this spring and summer. We have really high hopes for him down the line."
Watts has made a more immediate impact in this, his freshman season. The midfielder/defender had one start and eight reserve appearances in the Deacs' first 10 games, recording an assist against Clemson. As a member of the U.S. Under-17 national team, he was a highly sought recruit, but he said he always wanted to play for Wake Forest.
And when you look at his past, it's no wonder. Watts' youth coach was WFU alumnus Craig Conger. Another alumnus, Justin Moose, was an early inspiration. And when he left North Carolina to attend high school at Bradenton Preparatory Academy in Florida, one of his coaches was former Deacon John Hackworth.
Watts has big expectations, but he believes the best way to success is by being a good teammate.
"I try to do the little dirty things to help us win -- winning 50/50 balls in the air, connecting with teammates, continuing to learn my role and my position," Watts said. "If you don't win, it isn't good enough."
"Jared gives you his all," Vidovich said. "He solves every problem, and wants to be a part of everything. He's a Wake Forest guy, honest with everything he does, and there's not too many better things to say about somebody than that."
That's one of the best things about recruiting locally -- if the student-athletes and the coaches get to know each other early, it's good for everybody. WFU's team success speaks for itself, and three Winston-Salem products -- Sam Cronin, Austin da Luz, and Wells Thompson -- are currently in Major League Soccer.
"When you have the opportunity to hang out with these people for several years," Vidovich said, "whether at camps or as club coaches, you get a better idea of their potential. We've gotten a bunch of people who know what we're about, and a lot of them we might not have taken into the program if we hadn't known them personally. But now that they're here, they get to grow Wake Forest, and vice versa."
