Club fútbol transforms Augustana soccer experience for students

Athletes across the globe play fútbol, known in the U.S. as soccer. For many, having a competitive club fútbol team on Augustana’s campus creates a space for diversity and community to thrive. 

Senior Tristan Morris, president of club fútbol, has been playing for 12 years. As an Augustana freshman, he was looking for a community to share his sport with. That’s when he met the then club soccer president, Bjorn Slattum, who introduced him to the team. 

Now a senior, Morris carries the title Slattum once held and wants to leave something behind for his team before he graduates this May.

Morris and his friend and senior teammate Alex Enget rebranded club soccer to club fútbol, creating a new Instagram page, logo and uniforms.

Currently, Augustana University Athletics does not offer men’s soccer as an official sport. It is up to the club to publicize itself.

Enget said he’s been playing fútbol since he was four years old but didn’t play in Augustana’s club soccer team until just last year when he first learned it existed.

Because of a lack of visibility, Morris and Enget said the team wanted to put more energy into outreach this year than previously. Largely, it remained difficult to find consistent players for practices and games.

“Our first year, [club soccer] was a little disorganized,” Morris said. “We had a lot of players just going in and out — made it a little chaotic and stuff, but I think, over the years, we built a better structure and better system.” 

Morris and Enget said they put in extensive work over the summer and in their off-season to set their team up for success this academic year. The pair created an Instagram page, worked to approve their official crest and acquired a new head coach — international student Dani Castellan.

Although Castellan will only be at Augustana for the fall 2024 semester, Enget said he’s been an integral part of influencing the squad’s play style and formation that they believe will remain strong for seasons to come.

Continuing to play in the same beat-up jerseys they ordered their freshman year, Morris and Enget are currently designing and ordering new uniforms for the team. Their hope is  that the group will look more united and professional.

“There’s been a lot of good work to start building our club into a competitive team,” Enget said.

The club fútbol team plays other competitive teams in the Great Plains soccer conference, such NDSU, UND and Minot State University in North Dakota; SDSU and USD in South Dakota and Wayne State College in Nebraska.

The club fútbol team played SDSU in Brookings, SD, tying 3-3 on Sept. 28. Their next match, against the UND team, will take place at Tomar Park soccer fields on Oct. 5. Most of the club’s home games take place at Tomar Park or Sanford Crossing soccer fields.

Since the start of inter-collegiate gameplay on Sept. 8, the team has drawn once and lost five times for a record of 0-5-1. Despite their losses, the team remains hopeful.

“The team is growing and training more consistently and always striving to get better and full of perseverance,” Enget said.

Logan Haak took on the role of adviser for the team when he was promoted to Director of Recreational Services this September. Haak admitted that his expertise does not lie with soccer, but he praised the team for their professionalism and drive for the sport. Haak specifically praised Morris for his desire to serve the club.

“[Morris] has been one of the most communicative and professional students I’ve interacted with in my time in higher education,” Haak said. “Club Soccer is unique in that it is so driven.”

Diversity plays a big part on the team, Enget and Morris said, and comes as a great advantage to them. Enget said that having players from all different backgrounds allows the team to grow in ways that other teams lack.

“We have players from all over the world, but we’re all united through the game,” Enget said.

Enget encourages students interested in playing for the team to message the team through their new instagram page, @au_augiefutbol.

Morris said the team emphasizes a culture of respect and personal growth, but his favorite part of being on the team is becoming close friends with his teammates.

“Whether you are looking to improve your skills or make friends, our team welcomes players of all levels,” Morris said.