After staring at Roseville High School, Tanner Roland got a chance to play soccer for Division II Fort Lewis College in southern Colorado. But after one season, he moved back to the Sacramento area and now readies himself for a second go-round at a four-year program after spending two seasons as the team captain for the American River men’s soccer team.
The Current: As a two-year captain for the Beavers, how have the last two years been?
Tanner Roland: I loved the experience. I love Paul (Hansen) as a coach. He and the assistants have helped me get connected to coaches. It was fun on and off the field. We were here to have fun but to get results on the field.
How was the transition to Colorado after growing up in Roseville?
It was very cold and a very small town. So coming from a big town and going there, you get used to it as long as you have a big jacket.
What brought you back to Sacramento and ARC?
Soccer didn’t work and I wanted to continue playing soccer. I couldn’t do that there, so I came back and ended up at (American River).
At your position of center back on defense, there is not a lot of glitz and glamour. Does that bother you?
It’s fine. I am not in it for the glory. I am in it just to have fun and enjoy it while I still can play and then move on from there.
Are you ready for the next chance at a four-year program?
I am definitely excited. I am ready to get back to that higher top-level and continue. The four-year level is a totally different experience.
What was the experience of playing in the state all-star game like?
It is an honor and a cool thing to be around, because you do have to be all-conference and to be picked by all the coaches is a cool feeling.
How important are academics to you?
I hold As and Bs in all of my classes and I have a 3.14 GPA. I take school seriously because that is what is going to get me further than soccer ever will.
Is the recent talk of building a new soccer field here at ARC exciting for you as a soon-to-be alumnus?
It will be a lot better for them rather than some field that anyone can go run on and tear up. It will be nice for the program to have a nicer field to play on. It also gets more athletes out here.
