Princeton Men's Soccer Alumni Check-In: Chad Adams '00

Name, Class, Current Job, Hometown, Family:
I graduated in 2000, which now qualifies me as a guy who played his last "real" soccer game over 20 years ago. I will never forget that final game or the incredible group of guys I was privileged to play alongside during my four years. I am the co-founder and principal of a real estate investment company called Patriot Equity Partners. I still live in the great state of West Virginia and have been married to my high school sweetheart (Hollie) for 19 years and we have 6 kids (three boys/three girls). Ashton (15) Savannah (13) Ava (10) Isabella (9) Boden (5) Beckham (8 months)

Position played:
I played center back with two great partners (Steve Belmonte & Griff Behncke) who made up for my lack of pace and both made me a better defender.

Major and thesis topic:
I majored in Politics and was taught by some brilliant professors. My thesis topic was Three Kings, No Crowns: Kennedy, Hoover & Hoffa – The War Nobody Won

Most memorable game at Princeton. Why?
My most memorable game was our last home game my senior year vs Yale. All we had to do was win or tie and we would win the Ivy League championship outright for the first time in 30 years. In front of the largest and rowdiest crowd I had seen during my four years, we tied Yale after double overtime and won the league and delivered Jimmy his first trophy as a head coach.

Toughest loss:
The toughest loss for me was against the University of Virginia (at their stadium) my senior year in the first round of the NCAA tournament. After fighting into the third overtime, they scored off of a broken play and a deflected shot to end our season and my career at Princeton. Fun Fact: Current Princeton assistant coach, Steve Totten, played a leading role for UVA that day vs. the Tigers.

Best players on the team during your era:
Andre Parris was a senior on the team during my freshman year. He could do absolutely anything he wanted to with the ball at full speed. I would also say the Behncke brothers (Matt & Griff) as they were physically imposing and so technically clean with the ball and could play anywhere on the field.

Best athletes on the team during your era:
Two guys come to mind - Matt Striebel & Graeme Rein. Matt was an incredible athlete who not only started every game on our soccer team but was the star player on the lacrosse team as well. Graeme Rein (Deuce) played right back and I never saw him lose a contested header in the two years that we played together. He could jump, he was fast and he was extremely gritty.

Most underrated player on the team during your era:
Walker Wright: Highly skilled, he was a real student of the game and had an intense competitive nature that pushed our team along in practice and games.

Funniest teammate and any examples of what made him funny:
Stephen Finger (Bass) – He just loved the game so much and had a way to keep things light and fun and had us laughing all of the time in the locker room.

Message/Advice for the current players:
Playing soccer at Princeton is a privilege and be grateful for every day that you get to be a part of the team. The further removed you are from your last game (me, 20 years now), the more you miss it and would do just about anything to have it back, even for just a day. Work hard every day for the honor of wearing the jersey.

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