By David Russo

Student-athlete is a term usually reserved for those who are on scholarship for an intercollegiate team, however, at UCSB, a vast majority of students play on various Intramural Sport teams. Senior computer science major Josh Castaneda leads six different Intramural Sport teams this quarter: two Indoor Soccer teams, and four Outdoor Soccer teams. “OK Team Awesome Go,” a team in the outdoor Men’s A league, may be the best of all, currently boasting a 4-0 record with an aggregate score of 15-1.

Castaneda says that a lot of his motivation for playing soccer is his aspiration to coach.  Already experienced in coaching San Marcos High School’s freshman team in 2009-2010, leading them to a .500 record.

“That was the most fun I’ve had doing work,” Castaneda said. “To be a role model is really cool … you have to balance being stern but really nice.”

Castaneda would like to see where similar positions might lead him.

“I’d love to coach the US National Team,” he said. “I don’t necessarily need to get that far, but I want soccer to be part of my profession. It would be cool to become a trainer or coach for a club team around [Santa Barbara].”

Then he added that coaching isn’t actually his number one goal.

“Coaching comes second to being a superstar,” Castaneda remarked.

He mentioned Dutch forward Robin van Persie, from his favorite team Arsenal, as the player he admires most.

“He scores so many nice goals,” Castaneda said. “He’s left footed but also skilled with his right foot. [As a forward], I consider myself a very watered down version of him.”

Castaneda started playing soccer when he was four years old, and hasn’t stopped since.  He played on Covina High School’s team and the past three years on UCSB Intramural Sport teams. Former student Eliot Rodgers, who played with Castaneda on past Intramural soccer team, is credited with giving him the idea to form a team from the people he has gotten to know from his former teams.

“Eliot inspired me to manage and coach,” Castaneda said. “Last quarter I decided to make my own team.”

Now he leads a diverse team of friends, including mechanical engineering graduate student Blane Rhoads, senior John Hoyer, junior James Kiffe, who plays on the Gauchos’ Division I team, and senior Ted McCrea, who plays on the Sports Club team.

“I got into the IM scene just by playing,” Castaneda said. “Learning how to manage came from coaching [San Marcos]. Managing a team is difficult but fun, you get to choose who you want to play with. You need to find a balance between who you like and who can play.”

Castaneda said that usually at least three extra players show up for a game.

“The only stressful part is when more people show up and I have to decide who the subs are … hopefully nobody leaves next quarter,” he said. “I definitely plan on having a team.”

With the team’s dominance this quarter, Castaneda said the most memorable game so far was their first game, which they won by one goal.

“They didn’t have as much talent but they played as a cohesive unit,” he said. “We’ve been growing as a team [to play cohesively as well] … everybody expects to win, and with that comes trust. We have a positive cycle of communication and chemistry knowing what each other is going to do on the field.”

With Intramural games five days a week, Castaneda explain fitting in with school with his schedule.

“I’ll miss a game for a midterm,” he admitted. “I’m not going to neglect my studies. But I try not to have late classes so I have room for Intramural Sports. Fun, fitness, friends. That’s what they are for.”