Variety was the deciding factor in determining Chris Roggen's '97 college choice, and the wealth of choices offered at North Central College wound up having benefits beyond even his expectations.
Initially attracted to the College by the potential to compete at the varsity level in multiple sports, he went on to make an immediate and lasting impact on the men's soccer program despite the fact that it was not his primary sport growing up.
"In high school, I competed in wrestling and soccer," Roggen said. "I wanted to find a school that had both sports available at the varsity level. North Central's reputation was outstanding, and it had the athletic and academic options I was looking for."
His wrestling exploits would soon be curtailed due to injury, but he quickly became a prime contributor on the soccer field, scoring a team-high nine goals as a freshman.
"When I was in high school, wrestling was more important to me," he recalled. "I loved soccer, but I just didn't find a place where I fit at the high school level. I thought I was a good player, but I did not expect to have the impact that I did."
As a sophomore, Roggen was a central figure in a play that would decide the 1994 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) championship. In the second half of a scoreless game with Wheaton College, Roggen executed a front-flip throw-in that glanced off of a Wheaton defender and into the net for the only goal of the contest, preserving the Cardinals' unbeaten record in conference play and bringing North Central its second and most recent conference title.
"We had a strong team that year," Roggen said. "The team knew going into it that we had a strong chance to win the conference if we just played how we were capable. It was very fortunate that we came together at the time that we did."
Roggen scored a career-high 20 goals as a senior to raise his career total to 45, ranking second in the program's history in both categories upon graduation. He was a First Team All-CCIW selection all four seasons, making him the only men's soccer player at North Central to be so honored. He claimed Third Team All-Midwest Region honors as a senior as well.
The team atmosphere that defined the men's soccer program at that time has made a lifelong impression on Roggen, who continues to benefit from his student-athlete experience.
"The soccer program was so teamwork-focused," he said. "I find myself consistently leaning on that on a day-to-day basis in my current job. I also learned a lot about leadership. I learned that I really like to be a leader, and that kind of brings me full-circle to where I am now. I lean on those lessons about teamwork and effort every day."
