It was a Friday night and the stadium lights illuminated the field at San Jose City College. The crowd was fired up as the varsity football team prepared to play its first home game of the season against Menlo-Atherton. All the hard work put in during the offseason had lead up to this moment as Dominic Goode ’17 and his team took the field. “I would dream of these moments since kindergarten when I would watch these games when my cousin was on the team,” Dominic said.
Unfortunately, things would change for Dominic and his team not long into the game. “I was going for the tackle and I got caught up in a pile and someone dove at my legs. Then I felt a pop and I ended up tearing my ACL fully and meniscus partially.” This was devastating for Dominic as he said, “Everything has just been lost. Football has kind of been just a huge factor and a huge influence in my life and my schedule and what I do.”
Despite the pain, this injury has been eye-opening for Dominic as he reflects upon everything and how things can be taken away in an instant. “It’s more of something where you have to be grateful for what you have like family, friends, and the community,” he said. Dominic described his gratefulness for the past four years as “they have been the best four years ever.” Goode said, “There’s no moment that will ever compare to when your hard work comes to success.” He noted the Folsom football game as one of his greatest memories from the past four years, where the football team captured an underdog victory against one of the best teams in the state to capture the NorCal Division 1 title. “There are no emotions that will ever compare to that. There’s not like a party or a concert or anything that will ever compare to the emotions you feel at the football games.”
Although he may not be lining up for a play, Dominic still plays an important part on the team; he just has a different role. “I just have to be more of a motivator and more of an influence to get the guys going.” He looks to work past this injury and use it as a way to inspire his teammates to keep working hard. Even though you may not see Dominic suited up at the line of scrimmage, you can still count on him being on the field cheering his teammates on and inspiring many.