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which is taught at SCC, but also
offered through different schools
in Japan.
There were questions on
whether he was considered an SCC
student. With the help Doug Palmer,
SCC’s Athletic Director, he
was
able to convince the NWACC that
Takahashi should be able to play.
“I was an NCAA compliance officer
for 10 years, and we had students
in his situation play before as
‘exchange’ students,” said Palmer.
“I was able to show the NWACC
how the NCAA handled it, and
that he was a full time student
here with the same privileges.”
Takahashi began playing soccer
11 years ago as an elementary
school student in Saitama, Japan, a
suburb of Tokyo. When asked why
he loves soccer, Takahashi said,
“Even I don’t know the reason, I
just do.” But when watching him
cross defenders or strike at the
goal, you will see that this sport
was meant for him.
Takahashi, who spends most of
his time on the pitch playing midfield,
claims that he was happy with
his performance this year, but felt
that he troubled teammates with
his language barrier.
“I don’t know how to speak English
very well, so it was hard for
me to communicate and have conversations
with the teammates,”
said Takahashi. “If I was able to
communicate better, then I would
have been able to play better with
everybody.”
Even with his language barrier
and the team’s poor record
of 4-13-1, their season still came
down to the last game in a 1-0 winner-
to-playoffs loss to Edmonds
Community College. However, if
Takahashi hadn’t missed the first
four games of the season trying to
become eligible, there’s a chance
he would have been enough of
a difference maker to boost the
team to a better record, and into
the postseason.
Takahashi came to SCC as
part of a study abroad program
through his technical college in
Japan, where he is studying Hotel
Management.
“I came to SCC to learn English,
and I also want to know how the
world is. So I came here to learn
English for using at a hotel,” said
Takahashi. “In five years, I hope
to be a good hotel worker.”
As for next year, Takahashi’s
abroad system calls for him to return
back to Japan in February,
where he will most likely continue
honing his soccer skills. He is enjoying
his time spent here, and
won’t forget it.
“I hope I will be able to come
back to Seattle soon,” said Takahashi.
“And also, I hope that everyone
who is on the men’s soccer
team won’t forget about me.”
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