4 Dyess Airmen try out for Air Force soccer team

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Reyes
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The U.S. Air Force Soccer tryouts began Jan. 10 with 37 world-wide determined Airmen competing against each other here with the hopes of making the Air Force men's soccer team. 

The soccer team association has held their trials every year for a month in an effort to select the best players to represent the Air Force at the Armed Forces Tournament coming up the first week in February. 

Four Dyess Airmen were hand-picked to try out. Technical Sgt. Timothy Sevigny, Senior Airmen Marcos Vasquez and Nelson Hernandez, and Airman 1st Class Robert Olonde were selected to represent Dyess in a rigorous training camp to earn a position on the team. 

This tryout is keen and with it comes rigorous training. Both Airmen Vasquez and Olonde, from the 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron were eliminated within the first round. Sergeant Sevigny and Airman Hernandez advanced further in the try-outs. 

Sergeant Sevigny, 7th Force Support Squadron and First Term Airmen Center NCO in charge, has been in the Air Force for more than 16 years with the last seven at Dyess. 

"Some of the best times, experiences and people in my life have come from playing soccer," said Sergeant Sevigny, who plays goal keeper and midfield positions. "Working with a team and developing as a team utilizes the same principles that are taught in leadership training and group dynamic courses used by the Air Force." 

Sergeant Sevigny has been playing soccer since he was 5-years-old and this is the first time he has competed for the Air Force team. 

"I'd like to say I did it so I could inspire others to do the same kind of the thing for their own lives," said Sergeant Sevigny. 

Although Sergeant Sevigny was cut last week, many players from all over the world have traveled to Dyess to compete in multiple scrimmages against base teams and local colleges here in Abilene. During the duration of the camp they also competed in playoff matches to determine the final cuts. 

Senior Airman Nelson Hernandez, a 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-130 communication navigation technician, has been in the Air Force more than two years and has played soccer since he was 4-years-old. 

"My motivation is the love for the game," said Airman Hernandez. "It's all I know, and I know how to do it well. I've always wanted to try out for the team, but this year my wife really pushed me to actually apply for it." 

Airman Hernandez is the only remaining Dyess Airman trying to qualify for the Air Force soccer team. 

The tryout team's final game will be on Jan. 25 which only 18 players will be selected to compete in the Armed Forces tournament scheduled Feb. 1 to Feb. 8. A few of the members will continue on to play for the U.S. Armed Forces Men' soccer team at the 2009 Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (International Military sports Council), Military World Games from Feb. 19 to Feb. 28. The CISM games will be held at several locations in Abilene.