Hmong SNC Spotlight– September 2021 #1
Hmong Sports and Competitions proudly present to you, our 1st athlete of September 2021 on the Hmong SNC Spotlight. He’s from St. Paul, Minnesota. 23 years old, and the current Defender for one of the pro team, Michigan Star FC. He is….. BRIAN VANG..!!!!!
Who could have imagine that Brian’s incredible journey all started from watching Shaolin Soccer. After watching the movie, he and his siblings would go outside and tried to imitate the movie. His dad saw them and asked if they really wanted to play. They all said yes. And from then on, his dad would teach and trained them how to play soccer.
Brian’s path to becoming a professional player was full of hurdles. In high school, Brain was overlooked due to his height. No matter how good he was, at 5’3, he didn’t stand out from his peers. Rejection was a common theme in Brain’s soccer career. All the academy try-out and college camps rejected Brian. However, that did not stop Brian from achieving his goals. He puts in a lot of works in his craft and continue to push himself to prove all the naysayer wrong.
All his hard work pay off when he receive a offer to play D1 soccer at the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay. He started all 4 years and graduated in 2019. In the summer of 2020, Brian officially sign his first professional contract with the third-division National Independent Soccer Association team, Michigan Star FC.
Hmong SNC was able to get in touch with Brian, and was able to ask him a few questions…..
1. Who is your biggest supporter?
My biggest supporters are my parents. No matter what happens, highs and lows in my career, they’re always in my corner believing in me. Days when I don’t believe in myself, they’re always there. They put so much time and money throughout my journey, so I just want to make them proud.
2. Was soccer always your main sport when you were younger?
Soccer has always been my main sport growing up, but I enjoy playing other sports for fun and it helps staying active.
3. Many Hmong athlete do not believe that playing in D1 college and pro is a reality dream. What do you have to say to them?
It is a reality dream if you’re willing to put in the hours to practice and work hard. Things don’t happen overnight. You can’t practice hard for a day and take a three day break. It doesn’t work like that. This means going hard everyday and training twice a day if you need to. If you believe in yourself and put in the work then anything can happen.
4. How does is feel to be playing pro?
It’s honestly a dream. To wake up everyday and do something you love. I put my body through a lot of pain and hard work, but at the end of the day, I can smile and say that I had fun and I’m willing to do it all again the next day.
5. What was the first thing you did after you sign your first Professional contract?
The first thing that I did was call my parents and literally cried to them. Telling them that I finally did it after being rejected so many times.
6. What is your future goal/plans?
My future goal/plans is to try to keep playing professionally. I want to try to move up the ladder in terms of divisions.
7. What is the one thing that sports have teach you?
One thing that sports has taught me is that you have to be mentally tough to survive. This can apply to life outside of sports too. Not everyone or everything will be nice and kind towards you. You have to put yourself first if you want to succeed.
8. Do you have any other hobby outside of sports?
I’m not the most interesting person because I just enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and girlfriend. Whether it’s watching movies, tv shows, or other activities.
9. Should parent be more supportive of their kids even if they disagree with their kids’ goals?
Yes, I believe that parents should always be supportive of their kids no matter what their goals are. Kids grow up seeking validation from their parents. It becomes discouraging when parents don’t support their kids. Leading kids to give up on their goals.
10. What is your advice to the young athlete?
Believe in yourself. Have the confidence and charisma in your personality to where nothing can ever phase you or prevent you from performing your best.
Sports can teach kids a lot about life. It’s true when Brian say, “Sports has taught me that you have to be mentally tough to survive. Not everyone or everything will be nice and kind towards you. You have to put yourself first if you want to succeed.” In the real world, people don’t care about you, they want what will benefit them. The only person that can control weather you succeed or not is YOU! As Brian continue his career in the pro, Hmong SNC wishes him the best of luck in achieving his goals. We look forward to see him in the MLS or Olympics one day .