Janzen has been to many countries, and wherever he goes, his love of soccer seems to find him. Janzen grew up with soccer. He started as a kid at the YMCA, and later played at his school along with travel teams. “I was fortunate to play a lot of soccer when I was growing up,” Janzen says, which a lot of other kids don’t get the opportunity to do. Although he originally went to Pierre Moran, they didn’t have a soccer team, and that was a deal breaker. He transferred to a school in Elkhart, where he got his start.
Throughout middle and high school, Tony played multiple sports, but soccer was always a constant. “I love sports, I never ever get tired of sports,” reported Janzen. During his Senior year, Janzen was a part of the soccer and baseball team, but finally decided that he wanted to pursue soccer. After choosing to attend and play for Goshen College, his team was very successful. They one conference championship twice. His class also set the record for most games won throughout their college career. He may not have thought at the time, but Tony’s soccer career had not ended.
A few years ago, Janzen and his wife went to Cambodia through the MCC, (Mennonite Central Committee.) While in Cambodia, Janzen says that he would play pick up soccer games with a few others for fun. While playing against a professional team, he scored on them. After that, they asked him to join their team, and he went on to be a part of their team. “It was a fantastic opportunity to play at that level.” When asked about the language barrier on the team, Janzen replies, “No matter if I could speak the language, we all spoke the language of soccer.” Although Tony Janzen calls soccer more of a hobby, it will always be a part of him, no matter where he is.
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Megan Gallagher