Get To Know The Huskies: Michael Rojas
October 30, 2019 | Men's Soccer
Redshirt Freshman Michael Rojas comes to UW with some impressive accolades, having won the Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year award as a senior at Royal High School. Michael has seen action in two matches this season recording his first collegiate shot in the match at Seattle U.
Let's get to know Michael!
1. Why did you choose Washington?
I was born in Washington and the thing I enjoy more about Washington are the seasons. I love winter the most because we can slip and fall all day, or we can get school cancelled for a week.
2. When did you start playing soccer?
According to my parents I started to kick a soccer ball when I was able to walk. But I didn't start playing soccer until I was about eight years old. I still remember the day when I first got the call from my very first coach, Bernie Garza, who left a voicemail saying that I made the team.
3. What is your earliest or favorite soccer memory?
My favorite soccer memory was when I played with Puget Sound Premier League. I loved my coach, Eddie Henderson, and I also loved each and every guy on the B99 team. We all became really close to one another even though we all lived in different are codes. The main reason why this was probably my favorite memory is because of all the places we traveled together and all the training we went through, in order to become the best that we can be, on the pitch and off the pitch. I would usually travel without my parents because it would cost too much, but I never felt as if I was alone because we would treat each other like family.
4. Who are your four favorite soccer players?
My four favorite soccer players are, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Neymar. The reason why I chose Messi is because he is also a lefty, just like me. Cristiano, I chose because I wanted to be as jacked as he is. Ronaldinho, I chose because I want to be as happy as he was every game that he played. Finally, I chose Neymar because at times you may have to dive in order to score a goal.
5. What is your favorite professional soccer team? How did you become a supporter?
My favorite professional soccer team is Barcelona. The main reason why I decided to be a supporter is because of Lionel Messi. Then after a while I started to enjoy the way that Barca played.
6. What sport would you play if you didn't play soccer?
If I wasn't playing soccer, I would probably be a wrestler. Back in my middle school and high school career, I was pretty good at it, and I really enjoyed leaving everything out on the mat. Not only this, it was also fun tossing people around at times but, I have to admit I also got tossed around at times. Still enjoyed it though.
7. What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I ever received was from my father, Jose Gpe. Rojas. He would always tell me to work hard in school and in soccer. But he wouldn't just tell me those exact words every day. He would also show me how difficult it was to work in the orchards in order to keep me motivated to stay in school, so I wouldn't make the same mistake he did.
8. What is your favorite place to go around Seattle?
My favorite place to go around in Seattle is probably gas works because you can enjoy the Seattle view and just hang out with your friends.
9. What is one random fact that people wouldn't know about you?
I probably have the most disgusting feet in the whole entire soccer team.
10. What song would you sing at Karaoke night?
I probably wouldn't sing in Karaoke night to begin with, I only sing in the shower. But if I really had to sing in Karaoke night it would probably be, Trippie Redd – Toxic Waste.
11. What is your pet peeve?
One of my biggest pet peeves is when your friend is petting your dog and he says, "Hey I think he likes me more than you."
12. What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is probably I am Legend. The main reason why is because of Will Smith, he's such a good actor and I may or may not have cried when the dog died.
13. What is your favorite quote?
"You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it." – Lionel Messi
14. What is your favorite show to binge watch?
Game of Thrones without a doubt.
15. If you could choose where UW would go on its next foreign tour, where would it be?
I would probably say to go to Spain and hopefully see Barca play live or even train with them or even meet Messi, I'm a huge fan.
16. Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or never play soccer again?
Without a doubt I would rather go 30 days without my phone, in order to play soccer.
17. If you could only have three apps on your phone, which would you pick?
The three apps on my phone would probably be Clash of Clans, Facetime, and Contacts. The reason why I chose clash of clans is because whenever I have free time, I play that all the time. I also chose facetime because my mom loves to call me 10 times in one day every day. Finally, contacts because I don't remember every phone number that I have on my phone.
18. If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose?
Being able to go back in time to relive some of my childhood memories because they were absolutely amazing.
19. What are the top three things to still do on your bucket list?
Top three things on my bucket list are to go to Spain, get a longboard, and buy some new shades.
20. If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose?
My dad. The reason why I say this is because he never had the college experience, I also think that he is too smart to be working in the orchards. to be working in the orchards.
Let's get to know Michael!
1. Why did you choose Washington?
I was born in Washington and the thing I enjoy more about Washington are the seasons. I love winter the most because we can slip and fall all day, or we can get school cancelled for a week.
2. When did you start playing soccer?
According to my parents I started to kick a soccer ball when I was able to walk. But I didn't start playing soccer until I was about eight years old. I still remember the day when I first got the call from my very first coach, Bernie Garza, who left a voicemail saying that I made the team.
3. What is your earliest or favorite soccer memory?
My favorite soccer memory was when I played with Puget Sound Premier League. I loved my coach, Eddie Henderson, and I also loved each and every guy on the B99 team. We all became really close to one another even though we all lived in different are codes. The main reason why this was probably my favorite memory is because of all the places we traveled together and all the training we went through, in order to become the best that we can be, on the pitch and off the pitch. I would usually travel without my parents because it would cost too much, but I never felt as if I was alone because we would treat each other like family.
4. Who are your four favorite soccer players?
My four favorite soccer players are, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Neymar. The reason why I chose Messi is because he is also a lefty, just like me. Cristiano, I chose because I wanted to be as jacked as he is. Ronaldinho, I chose because I want to be as happy as he was every game that he played. Finally, I chose Neymar because at times you may have to dive in order to score a goal.
5. What is your favorite professional soccer team? How did you become a supporter?
My favorite professional soccer team is Barcelona. The main reason why I decided to be a supporter is because of Lionel Messi. Then after a while I started to enjoy the way that Barca played.
6. What sport would you play if you didn't play soccer?
If I wasn't playing soccer, I would probably be a wrestler. Back in my middle school and high school career, I was pretty good at it, and I really enjoyed leaving everything out on the mat. Not only this, it was also fun tossing people around at times but, I have to admit I also got tossed around at times. Still enjoyed it though.
7. What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I ever received was from my father, Jose Gpe. Rojas. He would always tell me to work hard in school and in soccer. But he wouldn't just tell me those exact words every day. He would also show me how difficult it was to work in the orchards in order to keep me motivated to stay in school, so I wouldn't make the same mistake he did.
8. What is your favorite place to go around Seattle?
My favorite place to go around in Seattle is probably gas works because you can enjoy the Seattle view and just hang out with your friends.
9. What is one random fact that people wouldn't know about you?
I probably have the most disgusting feet in the whole entire soccer team.
10. What song would you sing at Karaoke night?
I probably wouldn't sing in Karaoke night to begin with, I only sing in the shower. But if I really had to sing in Karaoke night it would probably be, Trippie Redd – Toxic Waste.
11. What is your pet peeve?
One of my biggest pet peeves is when your friend is petting your dog and he says, "Hey I think he likes me more than you."
12. What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is probably I am Legend. The main reason why is because of Will Smith, he's such a good actor and I may or may not have cried when the dog died.
13. What is your favorite quote?
"You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it." – Lionel Messi
14. What is your favorite show to binge watch?
Game of Thrones without a doubt.
15. If you could choose where UW would go on its next foreign tour, where would it be?
I would probably say to go to Spain and hopefully see Barca play live or even train with them or even meet Messi, I'm a huge fan.
16. Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or never play soccer again?
Without a doubt I would rather go 30 days without my phone, in order to play soccer.
17. If you could only have three apps on your phone, which would you pick?
The three apps on my phone would probably be Clash of Clans, Facetime, and Contacts. The reason why I chose clash of clans is because whenever I have free time, I play that all the time. I also chose facetime because my mom loves to call me 10 times in one day every day. Finally, contacts because I don't remember every phone number that I have on my phone.
18. If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose?
Being able to go back in time to relive some of my childhood memories because they were absolutely amazing.
19. What are the top three things to still do on your bucket list?
Top three things on my bucket list are to go to Spain, get a longboard, and buy some new shades.
20. If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose?
My dad. The reason why I say this is because he never had the college experience, I also think that he is too smart to be working in the orchards. to be working in the orchards.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's SoccerWashington 2, No. 13 Rutgers 0 | Huskies Highlights
Saturday, October 18
Sliced and diced for the 2-0 advantage 🔥
Saturday, October 18
Hispanic Heritage Month Crossbar Challenge
Thursday, October 16
Washington 3, No. 12 Indiana 0 | Huskies Highlights
Saturday, October 04
