Rich Harrison – Standing Out in a Crowd
Brittany Eads
(310) 804-7245
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Rich Harrison
Provo, Utah (May 6, 2009) — At BYU’s first preseason scrimmage against the Mesa State Mavericks in March, freshman Rich Harrison was recognized by his mother—but probably not in the way he was hoping.
“We were wearing practice jerseys and they don’t have numbers on the back,” Harrison laughs. “My mom was sitting up in the stadium, but couldn’t tell which one I was – until I started running. Apparently, I kind of bounce when I run.”
Harrison’s unique style of running isn’t the only thing that makes him stand out on the Cougar squad, however. His new coaches have identified him as a player to watch out for in the scoring department.
Others have quickly noticed his talent as well—his ability to put the ball in the goal helped the Sparta United club team win the Premier Division and Harrison was invited to participate in the prestigious Olympic Development Program.
A soccer standout from the age of three, it hasn’t always come easy, however. Harrison recalls a nickname for a move that he inspired while playing for one particular club team.
“I had this problem back then of being in front of the goal and kicking it right over,” he chuckles. “The easiest goals to make were hardest ones to finish. My teammates and parents ending up dubbing the move ‘The Richard.’”
Coming from a family of athletes, Harrison strived to set himself apart as a soccer player who looked at the game from a new perspective.
“I have always tried to see plays differently than other people,” Harrison explains. “I heard that a good player is someone who doesn’t do the predictable thing, but something smart that surprises the other team.”
Unique perspective aside, Harrison realizes that the way that the Cougars will really be able to excel this year is if each player is able to blend his style of play into that of the team.
“The team is really talented, really smart,” the freshman states. “It will take some work to pull everything together so that we’re on the same page. We all have our own styles – so we have to figure out what the whole team’s style is, but it’ll come.”
