CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Patrick Daka, or "Taurai Daka" as you will see his named etched in the Corban University men's soccer record books, had a journey like none other that brought him to Salem. But it was his once-in-a-lifetime experience here at Corban and post-college adventures that make him a truly remarkable individual, thus making him the first person to be featured in the "Warrior Alumni – Where Are They Now" feature-story series.
The 'Warrior Alumni – Where Are They Now' feature-story series will profile an alumni from each of Corban's 13 sports over the next several months, detailing how the alum came to be a Warrior, their experience here on the Salem campus, and what they have been doing since graduation.
This is the story of Taurai "Patrick" Daka:
While growing up in Zimbabwe, the sport of soccer became one of Daka's true loves. It was something that came naturally to him, but it was also something that he had to work very hard at to become a good player. The fields that Daka and his teammates grew up on and played on were not like fields you would find here in America – many were just dirt or dusty fields, and most players did not have cleats or a regulation-size ball to play with.
Insert Aaron Tredway and Justin Rivard into the equation. Tredway and Rivard traveled to Zimbabwe as professional soccer missionaries with the goal of having fun while playing soccer and being a witness to those who had not heard the word of Jesus Christ. While on their trip, Tredway and Rivard saw Daka playing soccer on a team, and after introducing themselves, joined the team and became friends with Daka.
Seeing that there was not much opportunity to have a better life or opportunity to get ahead in Zimbabwe, Tredway felt that he had a good connection back in the United States at Corban, as he knew the head coach of the men's soccer team at the time, Doug Roberts. While trusting the recommendation of Tredway, Roberts and Tredway convinced Daka that Corban was a place of great opportunity and a way to truly utilize all of his talents as both a soccer player, and as a Christian. After applying and working hard to get accepted to Corban, Daka eventually landed in Salem, Ore., ready to begin the next chapter of his life.
"Aaron Tredway was the biggest influence of me coming to Corban," said Daka. "He along with Doug Roberts worked their tails off to get me there, and Doug's wife, Marti, took me in as one of their family. I was well taken care of."
(Daka played for the Charlotte Eagles professionally)
After being shown to his dorm room on his first day on campus, he dropped his one duffle bag down with all of his belongings and walked outside. Two guys were there to meet and greet him. Those two young men were Dave and Seth Burke, and both became like brothers to Daka, as they truly welcomed him to the college and treated him like a brother. Both took him under their wings, took him to church, and made his life much easier from day one on campus.
While scoring 106 goals and dishing out 48 assists (both marks are first all time in the program record books) throughout his illustrious career as a dynamic forward for the Warriors, Daka had a number of great memories to share, but one stuck out to him over the rest, and it wasn't an on-field memory.
During the team's first road trip to San Francisco, he got to learn about his teammates on a more personal level while they spent time together off the field than he ever had before. Daka was the only player of 'color' on the team, and he was the only player from Zimbabwe as well, so he had a lot of adjusting to do. All of his Warrior teammates made him feel welcome and right at home, however, and they all helped him adjust to the various habits, humor, and other things that were unfamiliar to Daka. This road-trip experience in itself set the table for the rest of his incredible journey at Western Baptist.
Daka was the team's best player for four years, and debatably the best player in program history, but he was also one of the most unselfish, constantly looking for open teammates and always trying to find the open man. While he racked up astronomical stats, he said that stats were the last thing on his mind, because it was ultimately always all about the team.
While playing in his first two seasons with Roberts, Daka led Corban to a fourth-place finish and a third-place mark in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC). In his junior and senior seasons, a familiar face took over the program. Justin Rivard became the head coach prior to the 2002 campaign, and during Daka's final two seasons as a Warrior, Corban registered a pair of 13-win seasons and third-place finishes.
Following graduation as a double major in accounting and finance, Daka signed a professional soccer contract with the Charlotte Eagles, a Christian-based professional team in the USL-PRO league. While he headed to the east coast for this new opportunity that would allow him to continue to play soccer and minister to those who needed to hear the word of God, Daka remained in touch with Roberts, the one who helped him get to America, and he still does to this day.
(Daka led his team to four USL PRO Championships during his time with the Eagles --- #19 Back-Middle)
As a member of the Charlotte Eagles, Daka felt as if it was an extension of Corban, as much of what the team did was purely as a mission-based professional soccer team. While they would play the game, the game was many times there just to provide a stage to reach out to people about the good news of God.
"It was exciting to win and do well as a pro team, but it was great to 'win' people to Jesus Christ," commented Daka.
With the Eagles, Daka led the team to the USL PRO Championship four times, and during that span, he also served as a 'Player-Coach' for two years. Following his playing career, he took over as a full-time assistant coach with the team, furthering his soccer knowledge outside of the touchlines. He is now a full-time coach with the Charlotte Soccer Academy, serving as the Club's Technical Director and Age Group Director for the Youth Academy. On top of that, he works at Performance Unlimited as a personal trainer.
(Daka is now the Technical Director and Coach for the Charlotte Soccer Academy)
There was a time following Corban when Daka tried to work in an office, but that sort of work just was not for him, and it even gave him withdrawals as he felt as if something about him was lost. He realized that he needed to be out and about, playing soccer and coaching the youth of America. Now knowing that he wants to work in some way or form in the soccer industry for the remainder of his life, he is in the process of getting his USSF "A" coaching license – the top coaching license in the United States.
Daka remains involved with a local church in Charlotte, and he does separate mission trips on his own. Every June, he travels back to Zimbabwe on a mission trip and runs soccer camps for the youth while spreading the word of God. In addition, he began a 'clean water project' in Zimbabwe in which he distributes water filters to his native people. Daka, who has been making trips back to his home country for five years now, knows that the situation in Zimbabwe is very difficult with 95% unemployment and a completely broken infrastructure. The youth play soccer barefoot on dirt fields still and generally have only one soccer ball for 22 players.
(Daka returns to his home country of Zimbabwe every year to help those who are in need while trying to provide opportunities for those who don't have any)
Daka's mission is to give as much opportunity to those in Zimbabwe as he can, and his website for the June mission trips details how just $50 here in the United States can help save a life in his home country. For further details about how to help Daka with this cause, visit: http://www.ffzimbabwe.org/.
While it has been over 10 years now since graduating from Corban, Daka said that the thing he misses most about the school is the people and the amazing support that he received in Salem. The whole atmosphere during his time at school at Corban was a life-changing one, and some of the friendships he made will last for the rest of his life.
"I've made some really good friendships at Corban that have endured through today," said Daka. "Jason Iverson, Mamoru Miyazaki, and Graham Miles – each of these guys really meant a lot to me as teammates, brothers, and friends."
Now with a wife, Blessed Daka, and two boys, he says they all are the pillars of his strength. Tendai Daka, his 15-year old son is quite the soccer player, and maybe one day could be seen donning the Navy and Gold for the Corban Warriors himself.
"I am what I am because of the people I've met along the way and those around me today," commented Daka. "In Zimbabwe, we say, 'Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu', which loosely translated means no man is an island and that you are who you are because of the people around you. From Zimbabwe to Corban to Charlotte, many people helped shape who I am today."
For a man who was given a once in a life-time opportunity here at Corban, he undoubtedly made the most of it. Daka had a few parting remarks for the players on the current men's soccer team, any future Warriors, and Warriors on all of the current varsity teams:
-Whatever you do, do it with a passion
-Work hard at whatever you do; you must put extra time into what you are doing
-Try new things; express yourself
-Whatever coach recruited you saw 'something special' in you, so bring that 'something special' to the Warriors once you arrive here at Corban
"Patrick embodies all of the qualities we still look for in a Corban Warrior," stated current Corban head men's soccer coach, Aaron Lewis. "It has been awesome to reflect how God worked in his life to bring him here to Salem, Ore. We are extremely proud of what he accomplished here at Corban, and equally thrilled to see his continued success since."
Whether it is playing soccer, coaching soccer, spending time with his family, or giving back to his native country of Zimbabwe, there is no doubt that Taurai "Patrick" Daka is making a difference in this world on an everyday basis. Corban is proud and lucky to have him as an alumni. So whatever situation or predicament you find yourself in, always know that with God, all things are possible, as proved by Daka.
