Princeton Men's Soccer Alumni Check-In: Walker Wright '00

Name, Class, Current Job, Hometown, Family:
Walker Wright, Class of 2000. I am a renewable energy policy advisor for ENGIE, a global energy company. I live in Oakland, Calif. but I grew up a "townie" in Princeton, where my high school coaches were Rob Myslik and Karl Schellschedt, two players in the class of 1990. Right now, I am father to two boys -- Cooper (8) and Sawyer (6) and husband to Caitrin. My coach at Princeton was Jim Barlow all 4 years.

Position played and major and thesis topic:
Left midfield, defensive center midfield, left bench, center bench... I was a History major, "Guatemala: 1954" was the Thesis.

Most memorable game at Princeton. Why?
My junior year on my birthday I scored the game winner against Lafayette who had been on a roll and were ranked in the top ten in part because nobody ever scored on them. Their goalie was one of my best friends growing up. I'll never stop reminding him!

Toughest loss:
At Virginia, NCAA tournament 1999. We outright won the Ivy League that year and we went down to Charlottesville for the first round with confidence. Our senior class was really tight and we had all been contributing to the team throughout a dream season and we didn't want it to end! We played well getting into double overtime before they scored on a random deflection. I came off exhausted and began to cry, fully realizing my college career was over. It was a perfect late November sunny day with a large crowd.

Funniest on-field story while at Princeton:
My junior year we played up at national power UConn first game in the season. I started on the bench and eventually came on at outside midfield when they were already up by 2 or 3 in the second half. For the first 15 minutes of my time on the field only they controlled the ball. We never touched it and I was sprinting up and down the side, quickly getting winded for some reason. Then 20 minutes go by and finally they switch the ball to their outside midfielder who goes right at me in the box with glee. I only manage to clip his ankle so they get a penalty and score. A lot of laughter and self pity about that one as i don't think I ever touched the ball that game.

Best players on the team during your era:
From our teams Matt Behncke and Mike Nugent went to MLS . In high school I remember watching Jesse Marsch.

Most underrated player on the team during your era: Why?
Solid players in the back like Steve Belmonte or Graham Reims come to mind. Win the ball and find feet!

Players on the team you still keep in touch with:
Twenty years out I still see and hear from a fair amount of the guys. Griff Behncke and I have stayed close. Our kids play together and we've done many vacations with our families over the years. Sloan Bermann (a good friend from high school and college) and I talk all the time. He and I recently met at an LAFC game, along with Jeff Plunkett who was captain my freshman year. I've played in adult leagues and pick-up games (Tyson Hom, Lee Toper) with a bunch of guys who've been in the Bay Area over the years.

Message/Advice for the current players:
You have to cherish every single moment of it. The practices, games, bus rides and flights. A special group of people.

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