By Aaron Alumbaugh, senior

Victor Garcia-Bebek is like that special taste in the air that comes with a crisp chill in the fall as the seasons change. Garcia-Bebek is the new coach of the Friends University women’s soccer team.

Garcia-Bebek emanates an essence in his personality that can be sensed from shouting-distance. Originally from Lima, Peru, Garcia-Bebek speaks a warmly accented tone of voice that instills a confidence and calmness in the soul. His body language speaks volumes of his strong core — both in mind and body — and reveals his zeal for hard work and discipline.

“I am a very intense person,” Garcia-Bebek said. “I like discipline. Discipline is very important on and off the field.”

Garcia-Bebek plans an intense regimen for the women as they start the year. He wants things done right in a simple way. Nothing fancy.

Garcia-Bebek plans to lead by example, though he admits he cannot play at the women's speed yet. This is because of his knee injuries from playing soccer in Peru and at Newman University. He obtained both a bachelor's of science degree in management and a master’s in business administration at Newman.

While still living in Peru, before coming to Newman, Garcia-Bebek received a degree in international business.

Garcia-Bebek came to the U.S. in 2001 and finished his college education at Newman in 2007. Since Garcia-Bebek was not able to play soccer his first year at Newman because of his knee injuries, he joined the coaching staff and was mentored by Cliff Brown, who has been the head men’s soccer coach at Newman for 22 years.

Playing competitively wasn’t an option for Garcia-Bebek. When Alan Shepherd, the former woman’s soccer coach, left Friends University after the spring semester, the opportunity opened up to coach the women’s soccer team. Garcia-Bebek made a move and called.

Starting out this year with 16 girls on the team isn’t easy for Garcia-Bebek. He said that optimally, he would like to see a roster of at least 25.

“Twenty-five is a decent number,” Garcia-Bebek said, because players who become ineligible to play because of injuries or last-minute changes will cut the strength of the team. Currently there are three girls with injuries, two of whom are out for the season.

The number of players is the main challenge Garcia-Bebek said he is facing.

“My plan for this year is to survive,” Garcia-Bebek said. “The girls are working hard, but I don’t think we’re going to be at full potential right now. It will take a while.”

“I’m trying to bring a lot of motivation and make them believe in themselves.”

But there’s only one way it can be done, he said, and that is by working hard. Garcia-Bebek is making sure that the practices are harder than the games so that when game time comes, it is easier to play. The intimidation of game day is significantly lessened through this, and Garcia-Bebek said the women are looking forward to playing their first games this weekend.

Sarah Goldsmith, a sophomore and goal keeper on the team, said it is an uphill battle as the team gets ready for its first game, but she is excited to see where the team is after the first game.

“It’s going to be rough if anyone gets injured; we’re just going to be in trouble,” Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith said she is confident that Garcia-Bebek will take the program to the top.

“We’re rebuilding and breaking down bad habits and starting new,” Goldsmith said. “It may take him a bit longer, but in the end we’ll definitely be a lot better.”

The team plays Friday, Sept. 4, against Dakota Wesleyan University, followed the next day with a game against Mount Marty College.