Kevin Wickart, one of only three seniors on this season’s soccer
team, looks to have the best season of his career at Saint Louis
University. Wickart, a fifth-year senior, transferred from Wake
Forest University after red-shirting his freshman year and playing
there for two. Excited about his last year of soccer at Saint Louis
University.

“It goes by so quick,” said Wickart. “I would tell [the
freshmen] should take each year as if it were their senior year and
play with the energy and intensity that comes with knowing it’s
your last.”

Wickart has stepped easily into his role as one of the team’s
leaders.

“He has a great personality, a free spirit, is easy going, laid
back and he gives good vibes on the field,” said coach Dan Donigan.
“He has shouldered his responsibility well and is a good leader to
the younger guys.”

Being one of the captains Wickart has to be a good example to
the younger players.

“The new guys are really good, they have a lot of talent,” said
Wickart. “I just try to lead by working my hardest and giving an
honest day. When things are going OK that’s fine, but when they
aren’t, I just give a lot of effort. If you are going to do
something, do it right.”

The season started off well for Wickart. He was selected for the
First-Team Preseason All-Conference by Conference USA coaches.

“We look for him to fill the same role he did last year as an
outside right back, he has one of the best serves,” Donigan said.
“He had 12 assists last year and a good physical presence on the
field.”

A leader also wants what’s best for the team, and Wickart is no
exception.

“I just want the team to do well. I would rather win than have
personal goals just for myself,” said Wickart.

The first four games will be especially interesting for Wickart
and he is looking forward to them.

“The first game is against Akron and I played with a few of
those guys in a summer league. Virginia and Clemson are both
Atlantic Coast Conference teams and Furman is also on the east
coast,” said Wickart.

The ACC being the same conference as Wake Forest, the school he
transferred from after three years.

“I needed a new scene and SLU is closer to home and my parents
are able to come to all the home weekend games,” said Wickart. “At
Wake they were only able to come to one game during the
season.”

Wickart is from Lisle, Ill. (a suburb of Chicago) a relatively
short drive for his parents to make to see a game.

He has easily adjusted to life at SLU over the past year. While
most colleges have a football team, here at SLU soccer reigns
supreme.

One of Wickart’s fondest soccer memories at SLU was defeating
Cincinatti and winning the conference championship last year.

“We were expected to win but, it was a very difficult game,”
said Wickart. “That win was one of the reasons we were able to go
to the NCAA tournament and play.”

Right now, Wickart does not have any set plans for playing after
school, but hopes to someday play overseas. A sociology major,he
would like to get into environmental law.

“You get used to managing your time and I have been doing this
for a while,” said Wickart.

Last year, Wickart was named C-USA Second-Team All-Conference
and to the All-Tournament team. He led the league in assists with
12 and was ranked eighth nationally in assists per game.