Anteater men's soccer has had a history of elite athletes and high-end scholars highlighted by seven alums to be Scholar or Academic All-Americans. Many of them shared reflections and memories of their experiences with the program and how earning the highest academic honor has taken them to new heights post UC Irvine career:

Mario Anaya - 2024

Being named a Scholar All-American is an incredible honor that means a lot to me and my family. As a first-generation college student from a humble Mexican household, this recognition goes beyond academics and athletics - it's a reflection of the sacrifices my parents made and the values they instilled in me. It represents the balance I've tried to maintain between excellence in the classroom and commitment on the field. I want to thank God for this achievement and my parents for their constant support.

Looking back, my time at UC Irvine was truly transformational. The men's soccer program helped shape who I am today - on and off the field. I developed lifelong friendships, learned how to lead and compete at a high level, and grew through challenges that tested my character. Being part of a team with shared goals and a relentless drive taught me accountability, perseverance, and humility. I'm incredibly grateful for the coaches, staff, and teammates who believe in me and pushed me to be better every day.

Since graduating, I've transitioned into the next phase of life with the same mindset I carried through school and soccer - to further my growth and impact as a person and to stay grounded in my values. I got married recently, which has been a beautiful milestone, and I'm currently in a coordinator role within the HVAC industry. My goal is to continue uplifting my community, just as it uplifted me, and to be a role model for other first-generation students who dream of doing something big for themselves and their family.

Saul Wolf - 2001

Being named an Academic All-American is truly one of the greatest honors of my career. As someone who poured everything into the game - from captaining UC Irvine to earning Defensive MVP of the Big West - this recognition means even more because it reflects the full scope of what it means to be a student-athlete. It's one thing to push your limits on the field, but to match that discipline in the classroom, and be recognized for it, is something I take immense pride in.

Corey Attaway - 2010

I look back at my time at UCI with a lot of pride. I worked hard in the classroom and on the field, learned a lot, made lifelong friendships, and was part of a team that had some good success. Being recognized as a Scholar All-American is one of my msot valued accomplishments from that time because it represents all the work and success, both on and off the field. The late-night studying and extra training sessions, the league titles and top class marks. There's not many accomplishments that reflect the excellence college student-athletes are striving to achieve better than that one.

David Szekeres - 1996

When I came to UCI, I had very high hopes and dreams as I was a stndout soccer player on the California ODP team and part of one of the best club teams in the country at the time. In college, I was a good soccer player, but not great and I realized quickly that because of that soccer was not likely going to be my career, so I took advantage of the phenomenal education UCI provided me and focused as much on my grades as I did soocer. I was and am very proud that I graduated with an A average from UCI. When I was told that I was an Academic All-American, which at the time at least, was given to those who excelled at their sport and with their grades, I felt like I had acomplished two hard goals in college. Be a good soccer player and be an excellent student. For someone at the national level to recognize me for my hard work and accomplishments was extremely rewarding and made me very proud. To put into perspective what this meant to me and still does, to this day I only have two things on my resume from what I was in college; Captain of the UCI soccer team for two years, and that I was an Academic All-American.

Victor Falck - 2019

Being able to call myself a Scholar All-American is something I can carry with pride for the rest of my life. Not only does it showcase my achievements on the field, but equally the dedication that was needed off the field.

I believe consistency and prioritization are two of the most essential pieces to achieving this honor. If you are willing to put in honest work for 6-7 days of th week while saying no when it's not the time I believe were key determinants in achieving the award.

Scott Bowman - 2002



Ivan Canales - 2018