Fall Athlete of the Year: Thomas Beck

Soccer

Mooney (Senior)

Ever since he was five years old, Thomas Beck wanted nothing more than to play soccer for Cardinal Mooney High School

He said he used to go to games and watch the Cardinals play soccer and hoped that he too could one day don the jersey.

Twelve years later Beck was named a co-captain of the team and honored with a spot on the All-State team to cap off his senior year.

“It was just crazy,” Beck said of his first game as a Cardinal. “Everybody was on the sideline and you’ve been picturing this since you’ve been a little boy, and you finally get the chance to do it. It’s a dream come true.”

The dream which became reality is now heading into its next phase. With graduation on the horizon, Beck said he is still debating where to go to continue his dream at the next level.

Beck said he has looked into Mount Union College and Cleveland State University, but has yet to make a decision. He said he hopes to continue playing soccer.

But Beck said he has fond memories of his time as a Cardinal,

“Being on the team and playing in the postseason” was Beck’s favorite memory. He said every postseason game was special.

What made postseason games even more special was Mooney’s tradition of winning.

“I think since 2001, we’ve won nine-straight district championships,” he said. “Being on all of those teams and being able to say that nobody beat us [is special]. It’s just been a very fortunate run.”

Beck said there is almost an unspoken expectation that Mooney will succeed on the soccer field each year. He said the team feels a sense of duty to maintain the level of excellence the Cardinals have displayed for so long.

“I don’t want to make it sound like that, but yeah,” he said. “If we don’t win, it be a pretty big embarrassment for us.”

Besides a winning tradition and dedication to the game, Beck said he hopes he leaves a legacy of giving back to the team, just as seniors had done before him.

“Once you become a senior, it’s almost like you are just waking up for practice anymore, it’s you want to do it and you want to help everyone get better,” he said. “I think we have a good class that’s going to be seniors, and I think they’re going to be able to do it.”