Balancing the Game and the Grind: PUC’s Anthony Arochi Leads On and Off the Field
By Daniel Morales
Image by Abigail Suttan
For senior men's soccer player Anthony Arochi, leadership doesn't stop at the final whistle. As he wraps up his fourth and final season with Pacific Union College, Arochi has continued to make his mark not only on the field but across campus, serving as Student Association Financial Vice President, working with the Gym Recreation Department, and assisting in the PUC Finance Office.
Balancing classes, athletics, and multiple on campus jobs is no small feat, but Arochi has approached it all with the same focus and dedication that made him a reliable presence for the Pioneers over the past four years.
We caught up with Anthony to reflect on his soccer journey, his leadership roles, and how he manages to keep it all in balance.
1. Anthony, you've just wrapped up your fourth season with PUC men's soccer. How does it feel looking back at your time with the team?
Anthony: I can't believe it's already over. I still remember my first time coming to PUC not knowing anyone and being super shy but the team made me feel so welcomed. That's something I tried to pass on to every new player who joined after me. I love this team and wouldn't trade them for anything.
2. This year you took on a big leadership role as the SA Financial Vice President. What inspired you to get involved in student government?
Anthony: My team wasn't the only thing that made me love PUC, it was also the students and professors. When I found out I could get involved and help other people be heard, I knew I had to do it. Plus, it looks great on my resume and helps me grow as a future accountant, which is the ultimate goal.
3. Between soccer, your SA position, your jobs in the gym and finance office, and your classes that's a lot to juggle. How do you keep everything balanced?
Anthony: I'm a strong believer that God puts His toughest warriors through challenges to test them and show them what they're capable of. So even when things get hard, I just put my head down and grind. Nothing great in life comes easy. Even though I'm busy, I remind myself that if I can get through this, I'll come out a better man and a stronger person.
4. How has playing collegiate soccer influenced the way you approach your academics and work responsibilities?
Anthony: In soccer, and really in any sport, you have to adapt, you can't be complacent or you'll end up on the bench. I take that same mindset into work and class. I always try to give my best and show my bosses or professors that they can count on me to get the job done.
5. What's been one of your favorite memories from your time with the PUC men's soccer team?
Anthony: It has to be any away trip to SoCal when we drive. Flying is nice, but when we're all packed in a van, most of the time there are ten of us. You can't help but talk out of boredom. That's when we really get to know each other and grow closer as a team. There are so many jokes and memories made in those vans that, honestly, I can't even repeat some of them!
6. You also work for the Gym Recreation Department. What do you do there, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Anthony: I kind of do a little bit of everything at the gym. Some days I'm working in the weight room or cardio area, cleaning and making sure everyone's doing okay. Other times I'm out on the gym floor watching students play games, or even outside painting the field and helping with different projects. What I enjoy most is seeing all my friends there. I like to work out and stay healthy myself, so watching everyone have fun and take care of themselves makes me happy.
7. On top of that, you assist in the Finance Office. Has that experience tied in with your role as SA Financial VP?
Anthony: Yeah, it definitely ties into my SA role. I work a lot with Excel in the Finance Office, and my boss has taught me so much about how to use it effectively. That experience really helps in SA because I don't have someone constantly overseeing me there, I have to manage things on my own. Having that hands-on accounting experience also makes what I learn in class make a lot more sense. Sometimes I probably sound like a total accounting nerd when I use technical terms, but it actually helps me explain things better to my fellow officers so we're all on the same page.
8. What have you learned about leadership from balancing all these roles?
Anthony: Something I had to learn early on is that not everyone responds to leadership the same way. For me, in soccer, you can yell at me all you want, I take it as a challenge and it actually hypes me up. It makes me want to prove myself and do better and kind of have that mindset like "watch this". But some people don't react that way, they might shut down instead. So whether I'm talking to teammates, classmates, fellow officers, or coworkers, I've learned you have to figure out how each person responds best to being led. I think that's what really makes a great leader, understanding your peers and leading them in the way that helps them perform their best.
9. How do you keep yourself motivated when things get overwhelming?
Anthony: Like I said before, nothing great in life comes easy. Is it hard? Definitely. But I have to believe in myself, because no one's going to go to class, practice, work, or games for me. I'm the only one who controls my own destiny.
10. As you prepare to graduate, what advice would you give to younger student-athletes at PUC who are trying to balance school, work, and sports?
Anthony: The advice I'd give is this, you've been a student athlete your whole life, so why quit now just because it's hard? Don't give up. Use the challenges as fuel to become a better person and to prove to yourself and others that you can do anything you set your mind to.
There are so many resources and great people at PUC, so if you're going through a hard time, don't be afraid to reach out. I've had so many people help me get through these long, tough four years. College isn't supposed to be easy, if it was, everyone would do it. So keep your head down, keep grinding, and don't be scared to ask for help along the way.