Men's Soccer | September 26, 2016

-- Victoria Smith, wmubroncos.com contributing writer

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Carrying a 3.95 grade-point average into your senior year is impressive for any college student, but factor in a difficult major of finance, the time commitment of being a student-athlete, and Spanish being your primary language, the accomplishment seems unreal.

For humble, hard-working Edu Jimenez on the Western Michigan men's soccer team, that's just how he goes about his business. Teammates and coaches alike rave about the senior midfielder's leadership qualities and what they refer to as a 'program guy'.

Jimenez came to the United States from Spain his senior year of high school in a foreign exchange program. While playing club soccer with the Grand Rapids Crew where he excelled, it didn't take long for word to get back to coach Chad Wiseman who at the time was coaching at another program. Wiseman was finally able to make the trip to Grand Rapids and after seeing him play, knew then that could Jimenez could compete at the Division I level. In January of 2013, Wiseman was hired as head coach of Western Michigan University and one of the first calls he made was to Jimenez, who at the time was back in Spain.

"I reached out to him and said, 'Hey would you be interested in coming to the United States?' and that's how it all started," Wiseman said.

Jimenez is a part of Wiseman's first recruiting class, and was one of the very first commitments for the coaching staff.

"I thought it was a right fit, everything about Coach Wiseman, his philosophy and Western Michigan, I was attracted to," Jimenez said.

Soccer for Jimenez has always been second nature. He jokingly states that in Spain you are born and they literally throw you a ball. He laughs it off and follows it up clarifying that it really is as soon as you can walk, you are kicking a ball. So to no surprise Jimenez began his soccer career at WMU as a starter his freshman year. From the outside he was seemingly doing well, but during winter the home sickness had begun to sink in.

"I had a very thick accent and it took me a while to get used to everything. I wasn't used to the cold weather. I missed my friends, my family," Jimenez said. "My family is very important to me."

Finding the midpoint, in the combination of the help from his teammates and coaching staff, allowed Jimenez to get through the tough time.

Jimenez has not been back to Spain since the winter of 2014, however last Christmas his family vacationed in Mexico where he was able to meet them there. Jimenez keeps in contact back home through Skype video chat and the WhatsApp, a free messaging app that allows him to send and receive messages, calls, and photos.

"I had to understand that it's a process and to be patient," Jimenez said relating it to a rollercoaster. "There are highs and lows, but you just have to find the middle point," he added.

Now, as a senior at Western Michigan, Jimenez is thriving. He has been a four-year starter, has been named Academic All-Mid-American Conference every year eligible and this year is a team captain.

Jimenez credits his success in the classroom to truly finding something he was passionate about and pursuing it. Even his free time is spent reading books on finance.

"I really enjoy it and love everything about it, it's easy for me to go to my classes, I don't mind putting my effort into it," Jimenez said. "It comes easy when you love something."

Zach Bock, a junior and fellow co-captain looks to mimic his leadership style next year.

"A big part of the program is having such a high GPA and he is always willing to help the underclassmen with school work," Bock said.

As a senior Jimenez spends time with each and every one of his teammates. He constantly instills what it takes to be at WMU, what it means to be a student-athlete, and is watching the program come full circle.

"Edu is 100% committed to be a student-athlete at WMU," Wiseman raved. "He is not only a leader for the program and athletic department but a leader for the University."

Jimenez's commitment to the program is the lasting impression he will leave behind when he graduates in December, but before then there's the chance to leave his name in record books.

Currently Jimenez has 16 assists, just eight away from the current career record of 24 assists. Breaking records is not easy, but Wiseman believes that if anyone is capable on the team, Edu would be the man. Jimenez himself is aware of the record and smiles when it is brought up.

"I don't really want to get caught up with that," Jimenez said. "It's in the back of my head for sure, but I don't focus too much on it," he added.

Jimenez is still weighing his options following graduation. He says he has considered taking a year off from school to gain work experience or returning to get his master's degree right away. Currently on a scholarship through the Haworth College of Business, Jimenez is preparing to take the CFA to receive a certificate in finance. As for now, in December Jimenez looks forward to returning to Spain to reunite with family and friends.