Oct. 24, 2003
Senior Profile: Steven McLay | Senior Profile: Chris Austin
Senior Profile: Craig Pykett
University of Kentucky seniors Chris Austin, Steven McLay, Brook Pearse and Craig Pykett have all made an impact on UK’s soccer program in one way or another. UKAthletics.com salutes the senior class with a profile on each senior leading up to Friday’s “Senior Night” match against Buffalo at 7:30 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex.
Today’s profile features Brook “Worm” Pearse, a senior from Bradenton, Fla. Pearse is a fifth year senior for the Wildcats and made the journey to Lexington after playing at the prestigious Adidas Soccer Academy. He has appeared in 69 matches in his career at UK and been a solid contributor on the Cats’ attack. Pearse is not large in stature, but he has plenty of heart that shows on the field every game he suits of in his Kentucky uniform.
What do you enjoy the most about playing at the University of Kentucky?
“I have enjoyed meeting so many people and getting close to as many people as I have. Some of them will remain my best friends for the rest of my life. Getting close to people like a family is probably the best thing I’ve had since coming here.”
Does it feel like you’ve been around for a long time?
“Yeah, it feels like I’ve been here forever. I’ve played with some great players that have helped our team numerous times and I’ve seen people a lot of people come and go in my five years.
Someone on the women’s soccer team asked on of my friends, ‘How long has Brook been here?’. That let me know I’ve been here a long time. It has been a fun ride and I feel like I know just about everybody around campus.”
Why did you choose UK?
“After looking at the other schools I was considering I realized that Kentucky was the best fit for me. It is only three and a half hours away from where my parents live. They can come see me play, but it isn’t close enough for them to show up everyday and I can have my personal time.
I love the country. I grew up in Nashville in the country with horses and listening to country music. I really didn’t want to change that. In Kentucky I fit in well. I love Keenland and the greenery around this area. It’s a beautiful area.”
How sweet was the victory over Akron last Sunday?
“Personally, it was great for me. I had committed verbally to Akron and then I signed with UK. That was a school I considered attending, but I realized that it is a rainy area and the sun doesn’t shine that much. I remember my mom telling me that she didn’t want to be an Akron Zip, she wanted to be a UK Wildcat.
Winning that game was big to me. If I’d gone to Akron I’d only have one ring at this point, but here at UK I have three. I’m glad I chose UK.”
How has your experience been playing for Coach Collins?
“I grew up playing for Brazilian coaches, so my game was based on finesse and knocking the ball around. With my mentality, working with Coach Collins turned out to be the best thing for me because he’s intense, he’s serious and he wants us to play serious hard ball. I’m only 5-6, but I still got playing time my entire career and I get to mix it up just like everybody else. We are a hard-nosed team and I love playing for a team like that.
Coach Collins has always pushed me further and further and that’s helped my game a lot.”
How did you get the nickname “Worm”.
” ‘Worm’ was a name that I had in Florida. I have a highlight video that shows everything I did at the academy and I was mostly on the ground in the video. People started calling me worm because I was always on the ground. I was moving around and people couldn’t keep me down – I kept going. That’s where the nickname originated.”
What are your plans for next year?
“I plan to work in the hotel industry or restaurant industry. I haven’t decided what I’ll do in my internship in the spring yet, but once I decide it will be in either of those venues.”
What advice would you give an incoming student-athlete?
“I would tell them that no matter what, you need to have the mentality to never give up. Remember that you are there to have fun as well and it’s still college.
As for academics, I would let them know that in college you only have four eligibility years and you have to make a plan for once you graduate. I’ve always known I wasn’t going to play after college so my academics are what I knew I needed to focus on. Focus on your academics and get your work done.
I would also let them know that if they are having problems with academic stuff that, as scary as coach can be, to talk to him and he will do anything he can to help them. Coach Collins is your friend as well as your coach.”
