MEN'S SOCCER DAILY UPDATE

November 2, 2008

Alumni Update: Ian Wendel

In 2000, Ian Wendel arrived on campus to begin his freshman season at Binghamton. At the time, the Bearcats were still competing at the Division II level and had yet to be accepted into the America East Conference. In his senior year, however, Wendel was a part of a squad that won the America East title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He was one of only three players (Pat Skinner and James Clancy being the other two) who were a part of the men's soccer program during the entire transformation.

Following graduation in 2004, Wendel worked for a year doing research for a pharmaceutical company. The following year, he entered medical school, where is continuing to work toward his degree. It was being a part of the men's soccer program that has enabled him to succeed in life after college.

"The experiences I had on the team helped mold me into the person I am today," he said. "The confidence I gained allowed me to succeed in the classroom and at life."

Wendel was the backup goalkeeper during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Those were dark days for the once proud Binghamton program. The Bearcats went 6-30-1 and at one point, dropped 19 games in a row.

In February 2002, Paul Marco was named the Bearcats' new head coach. He brought in 10 new players but according to him, it was the holdover players like Wendel who played a big part in laying the foundation of the program.

"Guys like Ian knew what it was like to lose and were very hungry to turn it around," Marco said. "It was players like him, Pat Skinner and James Clancy who were the catalysts to turn things around the next two years. Losing like they had motivated them to improve like they did."

Wendel was finally the starting goalkeeper in 2002 and the Bearcats improved to 6-11-1. The following year, Marco brought in Stefan Gonet, who became the top goalkeeper in the America East Conference. Although he was once again the backup, Wendel never came across as bitter.

"Ian was a guy who would motivate others to improve, regardless of whether he was playing or not," Marco said. "He always had a great attitude and he was always a big part of the program. He worked hard and it does not surprise me that he has done so well since graduating."

In 2003, Wendel's four years of persistence paid off when Binghamton won the America East title. Even though he was a reserve player, the moment was still special for him.

"I don't think any member of our team will ever forget the day that we won the conference," he said. "It did not matter whether you were playing or not, everyone felt like they were contributing to the success of the team."

Although he only played two years under Marco, Wendel has high regard for the person who helped transform the Bearcat program.

"There may not be a college coach that works harder than (Coach Marco)," he said. "He expects that same commitment from everyone of his players. By doing so, he gets the best out of each and everyone of his players on and off the field."

Since current assistant coach John Scott was with the Binghamton program the year before Marco arrived, Wendel had three years to develop an equally high opinion of him.

"Coach Scott plays soccer at a very high level and is extremely knowledgeable about the game," Wendel said. "He brings that experience everyday to the practice field and games."

Although he is deep into his studies in medical school, Wendel does find time to keep in touch with his former teammates.

"There are a lot of us that see each other and talk frequently," he said. "Jared Thomas, James Clancy, Kevin Burns, Pat Skinner, Ryan Andrews. There are mass e-mails that go out between the group weekly that usually are stirring up some sort of controversy. I see or talk to some of the younger guys, such as Darius Ravangard or Phil Grommet on occasion and even some of the older guys, like Seth Thomas, that graduated before I got to Binghamton."

Two weeks ago, Wendel was on campus for the Bearcats' Homecoming game against Vermont. He never got to compete at the Bearcats Sports Complex but certainly appreciates what the new facility has meant to the University.

"The coaches and athletic department have to be seriously commended for that complex," he said. " I have seen two games there and they were both awesome. The crowds that they draw for a game are unreal. I think Pat Skinner said it best when a number of us were talking. He said that the soccer games there are not just games anymore. They are now an event."

Posted November 2, 2008. 6 p.m.
Feedback should be sent to dobrian@binghamton.edu.