ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Injuries have impacted
Aiden Ambeau's career as a student-athlete to the point that he plans to spend his professional life helping others overcome their setbacks.
Ambeau, a junior defender on the Roberts Wesleyan University men's soccer team, suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) two games into his senior season at Greece Athena High School.
Ambeau worked hard to return to the pitch but had to deal with hip flexor issues during his first two seasons with the Redhawks. The care that he has received from others has shaped his life plan.
"I was hurt a lot as a kid," said Ambeau, who has started all 10 matches and not come off the field for the Redhawks this season. "Especially tearing my PCL in high school, it was all physical therapy for 14 months. I worked with a physical therapist, and it built my love for the profession. To be able to meet people when they're at their lowest and lift them up and see their journey, that's what I want to do."
Ambeau, an Exercise Science major, is well on his way. He has a 3.85 grade point average and was selected the Roberts Wesleyan University Male Scholar-Athlete of the Month for September.
This season has been especially meaningful for Ambeau because he is playing alongside his younger brother, Landon, a freshman defender for the Redhawks. The Ambeaus have plenty of support in the stands as their parents, Kevin and Tiffany, and grandparents are regulars at Roberts Stadium.
Ambeau started playing soccer for the Greece Cobras at a young age and was coached by his father during the early stages of career. In addition to playing for Greece Athena, he was a member of several club teams before arriving at Roberts.
Ambeau enjoys playing golf in his spare time and is employed at Twin Hills Golf Course in Spencerport in the summer.
Ambeau took a few moments to discuss life as a student-athlete at Roberts. Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
What do you love about soccer?
"Growing up my dad was big into soccer, so he started coaching me at a young age. He was my coach through most of it, and eventually I went into higher levels. It's just the fun of it. I love it, it keeps you active, you get to meet new players, you get to travel. Even now we still travel, but during club I was traveling to Florida, Texas and California. I got to travel the country, which was amazing. I had all of these opportunities to stay overnight at camps and see top facilities, but I think the part that I like most is what the game actually teaches me, though. It's taught me that no matter what, anything can happen, and every game is a new thing. No game and no training session are going to be the same. You can have good days, bad days, but no matter what, the game is always going to be there. That, and the friendships, are the main thing."
Tell me about your mentor?
"His name was Coach Jeffrey Pyles. He was a Cobras coach for a couple years and he was amazing. He definitely taught me a lot. He's the one who believed in me and he's the whole reason I'm here. I was never really intending to play at the college level. When I was a kid, I was kind of just doing it for fun, I never thought I was really good enough, but he believed in me and he pushed me. When COVID came around he and his wife unfortunately passed away. After he passed away, I made the choice to keep thriving, keep training and reach out to the coaches at the college level, and I did it. I don't know where I'd be right now if it wasn't for him, if he didn't believe in me, and then give me that extra push. He was an amazing guy. He taught me life lessons and was always there for me. It's sad that he's not here anymore, but even though he's not here, he's still with me."
What is it like to play college soccer with your younger brother, Landon?
"It's cool. Back in high school, he got pulled up his eighth-grade year, which was my junior year, so our first time really playing on the same team was in high school. That was cool, and I never thought we'd do it in college. Now, I see him every day. He is the little kid I used to play with in the backyard when I was shooting on him and he was shooting on me, and now he's starting with me. He's our left back and I am the center back, and we pretty much link up the whole game now. It's definitely cool and it's definitely nice to watch over him and know that he's doing well."
How would you describe your role on the team?
"As a center back, I am the last line of defense. You can see the whole field and I'm pretty much the guy on the field that controls the communication. I'm lifting up the guys when they need it the most. My key role is being that voice out there. No matter what, you're always going to hear me out there. A lot of people probably get sick of it, but you can always count on me to hear my voice during the game to control things, so I think organization is definitely my role."
How did you make your decision to come to Roberts?
"When I got hurt my senior year of high school, I was in a cast and saying hi to everyone in the stands before a game. I was just talking to everyone and all of a sudden there was this guy in a Roberts polo shirt and he came down and introduced himself. It was (former assistant coach John) Berardicurti and he talked to me for about 30 minutes. He didn't talk about soccer, he talked about Jesus. At that time, I had faith but it wasn't a great faith, but he just started talking to me about Roberts and Jesus. We talked a little bit about soccer, too, but that wasn't the main conversation. The main conversation was about Jesus, and we talked and talked, and I was just in awe and I was at peace. Then he started talking about Roberts, and I was just like, 'OK, you know, maybe that's something I'd like to check out.' So, I reached out and sent some of my highlight videos to Coach (Scott) Reber and eventually committed. Coach B is definitely the reason I'm here. He's a great guy. I golf with him sometimes in the summer and he texts me every morning, sends me prayers and stuff. So, even though he's not here at Roberts anymore, he's still definitely in my life, and I think he's definitely the main reason why I'm here."
Have you had a favorite course or professor at Roberts?
"Favorite course, there's a lot of good ones but it has to be Biology or Anatomy. For favorite professor, I would say Rachel Graham. She is not your average professor, she's more of a friend. When you walk into class you don't see her as a teacher, you see her as a friend and a person who actually cares about you. She's definitely amazing. She knows all of us by name and I see her every day still. I had her for Biology 2 and General Bio and then I also had her for Anatomy and Physiology 1 lab. She's an amazing teacher. She loves animals, she loves her job and you can tell every day because she has a smile on her face. She makes learning really easy and she's amazing."
What does being a Redhawk mean to you?
"There's kind of a higher standard. When someone hears thinks about Roberts, they automatically think that they are a deep Christian, they have a good character, they're definitely respectful, they're learning, and probably also an athlete. For me, it's definitely true, and that's what I like about it. I think we have a good reputation, and hopefully it stays that way. I think the school has built its reputation, and that's the whole reason I'm here. It builds me up every day, it tests me, it challenges me, and it's definitely made me into a better person as I have grown from a boy into a man."
