LatinX Heritage Month Feature -- Ian Nunez
September 20, 2024 | Men's Soccer, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Princeton Athletics is proud to celebrate the heritage and culture of our Latinx student-athletes during Latinx Heritage Month! As part of this celebration, we will be featuring Q&As with members of Princeton's Latin Athlete Student Organization.
Ian Nunez is a sophomore forward with the men's soccer team who is from Miami. As a freshman in 2023, he scored two goals over his 12 appearances and this season he has appeared in all four matches to date.
How do you celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, and what does it mean to you both personally and professionally?
Back home in Miami, Latinx Heritage Month is a vibrant celebration that my family and I embrace by attending local events that honor our culture. It's a time to reflect on our roots, celebrate our shared heritage, and recognize the contributions of the Latinx community. Personally, it reinforces my pride in our traditions, and professionally, it motivates me to advocate for greater representation and visibility for Latinx voices.
What role have your family and community played in supporting your athletic career?
My family has been the foundation of my athletic journey. My dad has always guided my training and approach to the game ever since I first started playing, while my mom and sister have also been my biggest supporters, attending every practice and game. Their constant encouragement and presence have fueled my drive and resilience as an athlete.
How do you leverage your platform as an athlete to advocate for or support Latinx communities?
As an athlete at Princeton, I actively work to promote cultural awareness and celebrate the richness of the Latinx community on campus. This involves both informal conversations with my teammates about my own family's culture, sharing traditions and experiences, and fostering deeper connections with fellow Latinx students. I make it a priority to engage with the broader Latinx community, whether by attending cultural events, supporting student organizations, or creating spaces where we can share our stories and uplift one another. My goal is to build bridges across different cultures while ensuring the vibrant Latinx heritage is recognized and embraced on campus.
What message would you like to share with other Latinx youth who aspire to pursue athletics?
To Latinx youth aspiring to pursue athletics, my message is to embrace your heritage as a source of strength and pride. Your background is not a limitation — it's a powerful asset that shapes your resilience, determination, and perspective. Being part of the Latinx community instills values like hard work, perseverance, and solidarity, all of which are key qualities that can set you apart as an athlete. Use your cultural identity to fuel your passion and drive, knowing that it enriches your character and gives you a unique edge. The worlds' best athletes draw from their roots and experiences to achieve greatness, and you can too.
Who is some of Latinx heritage outside your family that you draw inspiration from?
Someone that I drew a lot of inspiration from that is part of the Latinx community would have to be one of my very first soccer coaches. He was originally born in Cuba and came to the United States at a relatively old age, facing several hardships along the way. Not only did he teach me most of the things I know about soccer, but he taught me what it means to truly be passionate about something. Thanks to him, I push myself to always be on the search for new passions and to enjoy everything that I do on a daily basis.
Ian Nunez is a sophomore forward with the men's soccer team who is from Miami. As a freshman in 2023, he scored two goals over his 12 appearances and this season he has appeared in all four matches to date.
How do you celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, and what does it mean to you both personally and professionally?
Back home in Miami, Latinx Heritage Month is a vibrant celebration that my family and I embrace by attending local events that honor our culture. It's a time to reflect on our roots, celebrate our shared heritage, and recognize the contributions of the Latinx community. Personally, it reinforces my pride in our traditions, and professionally, it motivates me to advocate for greater representation and visibility for Latinx voices.
What role have your family and community played in supporting your athletic career?
My family has been the foundation of my athletic journey. My dad has always guided my training and approach to the game ever since I first started playing, while my mom and sister have also been my biggest supporters, attending every practice and game. Their constant encouragement and presence have fueled my drive and resilience as an athlete.
How do you leverage your platform as an athlete to advocate for or support Latinx communities?
As an athlete at Princeton, I actively work to promote cultural awareness and celebrate the richness of the Latinx community on campus. This involves both informal conversations with my teammates about my own family's culture, sharing traditions and experiences, and fostering deeper connections with fellow Latinx students. I make it a priority to engage with the broader Latinx community, whether by attending cultural events, supporting student organizations, or creating spaces where we can share our stories and uplift one another. My goal is to build bridges across different cultures while ensuring the vibrant Latinx heritage is recognized and embraced on campus.
What message would you like to share with other Latinx youth who aspire to pursue athletics?
To Latinx youth aspiring to pursue athletics, my message is to embrace your heritage as a source of strength and pride. Your background is not a limitation — it's a powerful asset that shapes your resilience, determination, and perspective. Being part of the Latinx community instills values like hard work, perseverance, and solidarity, all of which are key qualities that can set you apart as an athlete. Use your cultural identity to fuel your passion and drive, knowing that it enriches your character and gives you a unique edge. The worlds' best athletes draw from their roots and experiences to achieve greatness, and you can too.
Who is some of Latinx heritage outside your family that you draw inspiration from?
Someone that I drew a lot of inspiration from that is part of the Latinx community would have to be one of my very first soccer coaches. He was originally born in Cuba and came to the United States at a relatively old age, facing several hardships along the way. Not only did he teach me most of the things I know about soccer, but he taught me what it means to truly be passionate about something. Thanks to him, I push myself to always be on the search for new passions and to enjoy everything that I do on a daily basis.
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