Where are they now? Jason Hernandez
9/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
This is our second installment in a series of five questions with former Pirate student-athletes. If you often wonder what some of your favorite players from years past are up to, be sure to visit SHUpirates.com each month to see if that player is on our list. We will feature players from all of our sports programs.
This week we are catching up with former men's soccer player Jason Hernandez who played for the Pirates from 2001-04. Jason helped the Pirates qualify for the NCAA Tournament during each of his four seasons, with SHU advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2001. During his senior season the team made it to the BIG EAST Championship game and he earned Second-Team All-BIG EAST honors.
1. Where do you live now and what are you up to these days?
I live in Northern California, Menlo Park to be exact, which is a world away from my South Orange days or Englewood (my hometown) for that matter. I am currently in my 8th season as a professional soccer player in Major League Soccer. I am in the home stretch of my 5th season for the Earthquakes in San Jose, Calif. We have been in first place for a good part of the season so we are looking to finish that way and hopefully win a championship.
2. What is your favorite memory as a Pirate?
My favorite memory as a Pirate would have to be in the NCAA tournament as a freshman when we defeated No. 2 ranked Virginia on their home field. It was my first taste of playing in the tourney and to win a match with all the odds against us will go down as one of the most enjoyable soccer memories I'll ever have.
3. Do you still keep in touch with any of your former teammates and if so, who?
I still keep in touch with several old teammates. My roommates in Boland and Xavier, Jerrod Laventure and Dan Pires. Upperclassmen I get to see now and again like Jeff Rigby and Kobie Johnson. Also a few underclassmen, Victor Kotynski and Jonathan Lewandowski. Our soccer team was always more like a family so it's been easy to keep track of almost everyone in one way or another even though I'm very far away.
4. Do you still follow the Pirates and what are your thoughts on the program today?
I have been following the Pirates over the years and check in to see how the boys are doing. I usually make it back every November or December to play pickup with some new faces and see some old ones. I'm very encouraged to see Gerson Echeverry step in after replacing such a great mentor and coach Manny was to a large number of us. I have been fortunate enough to both play with Gerson recreationally and be coached by him at SHU and am confident he will put his stamp on the program in its upcoming success.
5. I notice you are a Pirate Blue member, thank you for your support. Why do you support Pirate Blue and why do you think it's important to give back?
I do support Pirate Blue and will continue to do so because it seems like just yesterday I was there as a student-athlete. The day-to-day behind the scenes things that are involved with keeping a university's sports programs running smoothly are complex and numerous. With that said, if I have a chance to help in some way to make things better for the next person to attend SHU, I will do so. Helping in ways to improve the sports program that gave me so much is a privilege. I will do so because at some point someone who was before my time did the same so that I had a better chance at success.
