MEN'S SOCCER DAILY UPDATE

November 6, 2008

Alumni Update: Darius Ravangard

In February 2002, Paul Marco was starting his first month on the job at Binghamton and was recruiting players who could change the face of the team. The once-proud men's soccer squad had fallen on lean times prior to his arrival. Marco was therefore looking for players who bought into his vision for what the program could become. One of the players bought into that vision was Darius Ravangard.

Originally from Utica (New York), Ravangard was looking for a university with an outstanding academic reputation and an up-and-coming men's soccer program. In Binghamton, he found both.

"I came to Binghamton because I recognized that the school was focused on building its soccer program," he said. "Hiring Coach Marco was indicative of that. I also met with Coach Marco before choosing Binghamton and I really liked the direction he wanted to take the program, and he in fact did take it in that direction. In addition, I saw Binghamton as a program that I could grow and develop within. Lastly, Binghamton is great academically so that also influenced my decision."

After a freshman season that saw Ravangard earn playing time as a reserve, he moved into the lineup in 2003 and was a three-year starter in the backfield. The Bearcats led the nation in goals against average Ravangard's sophomore season and won the America East Conference championship. Binghamton went on to the second round of that year's NCAA Tournament.

"The 2003 season felt like a Cinderella story," Ravangard said. "That season
meant a lot to me because it taught me that if you are really dedicated to a goal and you put the work in and challenge yourself, then you will achieve it. I took that lesson and applied it to school and in my life generally. It has been a major reason for my success off the field."

In 2004 and 2005, Binghamton returned to the America East finals. Ravangard remained a pivotal part of the defense. Off the field, he was a mainstay on the America East Academic Honor Roll.

Since graduating in 2006, Ravangard has enrolled in a four-year joint-degree program at the University of Pittsburgh in which he will earn his J.D. (law degree) from the law school while also receiving a Masters of Public and International Affairs with a major in Global Political Economy from Pitt's Graduate School for Public and International Affairs. He will graduate in May 2010. In addition, Ravangard recently accepted an employment position with a large corporate law firm.

Having coached him for four years, Marco is hardly surprised as to what Ravangard has accomplished since leaving the program.

"Darius is the type of person that when he says he will do something, you can consider it done," Marco said. "He was a significant part of our program and worked very hard on and off the field."

Ravangard, meanwhile, is equally is complimentary of his former coach.

"Coach Marco constantly is striving for excellence and improvement both of himself and the team," he said. "I think that mentality has been pivotal in the soccer program's success. His dedication to the team is also a significant attribute. He gives the team his all."

In addition to Coach Marco, Ravangard cites longtime assistant John Scott as an equally valuable part of the Bearcat program.

"Coach Scott is an all around great and genuine individual," he said. "I think
his greatest attribute is his personality and ability to relate with the players. His knowledge of the game is exceptional."

Even though it has been three years since he graduated from Binghamton, there are still many memories Ravangard has about his time with the Bearcats.

"We were literally like a family," he said. "We were basically together 24 hours a day, seven days a weeks, 365 days a year. They were my brothers. There are so many memories, I could go on and on, but what I remember the most is all the time I spent with the team and the great relationships we developed."

In addition to the memories, Ravangard has taken many principles he learned from being a part of the Binghamton program and applied them to his life today.

"Being a part of the men's soccer program really made into the person I am now," he said. "I learned so many life lessons about habitually striving for success, pushing myself, being relentless and working hard to achieve my goals. All these lessons substantially aided in my success in Law School and Graduate School at Pittsburgh and have helped me procure a number of excellent legal positions. Those lessons will stay with me for the rest of my life."

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