Zach Bennett: A Goal in Mind
12/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Hanna Sprague, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant As he walks around campus in his final days as a student-athlete at Michigan State, Zach Bennett holds something near to him both physically and mentally. A small sheet of paper tucked into the back of his wallet. Written on it is a list of goals and dreams, some of which have been accomplished while others are still building.
"I've always been a really goal-oriented person, always writing down some stuff to shoot for," said Bennett. "I was able to accomplish a few of those things. It never really scared me coming in to say those things because I've always been like that. It pushes me."
This list originated before he started high school as Bennett set his sights on earning a scholarship to play Division I soccer. His vision stretched far beyond his peers, setting himself up for success five, 10 even 15 years down the line.
"I always go look at that piece of paper if I'm having a rough day, and I tell myself, ‘Alright you have to get through this if you want to get to that point,'" said Bennett.
With each accomplishment comes another goal, another idea to reach toward moving forward both on and away from the soccer field.
As a senior in high school, Bennett had the opportunity to graduate a semester early and make the move to Michigan State. Again, something far from the norm for a 17-year old kid from Plano, Texas.
"The coaches here thought that it might be a good idea to get used to everything, used to the classes, the schedule," said Bennett. "There was a chance I'd get to play my freshman year. It was kind of a no brainer once all of those things kind of fell into place to come up here early."
He took a leap of faith, bought a winter jacket and made the move to East Lansing in January of what would have been his final semester at Plano High School.
"I didn't really have any support system coming up here, so soccer was it," said Bennett. "It's still pretty much it. This has definitely been my second family in a time where I didn't really have anyone. It's a special thing, and we did get to accomplish a lot over my four years."
Bennett's written goals included feats in the net, but also achievements in the classroom. Academic All-Big Ten recognitions partnered with record-setting seasons in a No. 1 jersey, Bennett has proven his well-roundedness.
"I don't think being a student-athlete is everything about me, but I think it's a lot," said Bennett. "I hope to leave a legacy of a guy who can juggle the soccer and school and social aspects really well. I've said it since day one; I just want to put this program in a better spot than where I left it."
Bennett's career has been highlighted by a Big Ten Tournament Championship, three NCAA Tournament appearances and back-to-back runs to the Elite 8. A name written in the record books, Bennett has come to be one of the most accomplished goalies in MSU soccer history.
"I hope my records get broken because if they get broken than that means that team and that defense and that goalie are doing great," said Bennett. "Hopefully they don't get broken anytime soon, but in the relatively near future I hope they get broken because that means they're doing something really special."
His genuine appreciation for his experiences at Michigan State glow as he walks through the halls of Jenison and makes his way out to the DeMartin Soccer Complex, a place and a school that have given him so much, shaping him and his goals along the way.
"It's one big family that is always supporting each other and always pushing each other," said Bennett. "When basketball is making Elite 8 and Final Four trips, that pushes us to go further. The football team is doing great, that pushes us."
Bennett will graduate with a packaging degree from Michigan State this December, but his plans following graduation have yet to be written.
"One of the things we talked about when I graduated high school early is that I would be done in December if I did it in four years, and that the MLS combine would be in January," said Bennett. "That was something we set up really early on, but it wasn't super realistic at the time, just something to shoot for. Now it's coming that I might have a chance at."
The MLS is a dream for many, including Zach Bennett. Unlike everyone else, this has always been a part of his journey, his motivation and his ever-growing goal list located firmly in his wallet.
"The number one thing is to enjoy my time here with the coaches and the guys," said Bennett. "Luckily, I have a coaching staff that is really supportive and helping me out and allowing me to train with some of the guys and some of the coaches. If and when the combines come knocking, I'm ready to go."
