One More Year in Eugene (Football Game Program Feature, 10/11/2008)
During the eighth grade, Oregon senior rover Patrick Chung made a life-changing decision to switch from playing soccer to football. More than eight years later, the No.15 on Rich Brooks Field today is close to the end of his collegiate football career.
Few people know Chung, born in Jamaica, was a talented and passionate soccer player, who unlike many boys never dreamed of becoming a football star.
“I didn’t get into American football until right before high school,” Chung revealed.
Although soccer and football do not have much in common, his passion and athletic ability shined on both the pitch and the gridiron.
Moving to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., as a youngster enabled Chung to discover football. His dedication to mastering the new sport caught the eye of college recruiters. Only four years later, as a high school senior, Chung recorded more than 70 tackles and was ranked amongst California’s top 90 college prospects.
“I always liked Oregon,” Chung explained. “I committed before I even came to visit Eugene. Then they gave me a chance and a scholarship.”
Chung is a prodigy of the game because of his exceptional work ethic on and off the field. Even when practice ends and many other players rush off the field toward the Casanova Center locker room, he stays out on the practice fields longer to work on his strength and conditioning - as there is always more to improve on.
Now as a 21-year-old senior, Chung is a role model for many of the young players both on the field and in the classroom. He balances two important priorities: football and academics. The team recognized him as a captain before the start of the season and selected him to be the first player this season to wear former teammate Todd Doxey’s No. 29 jersey in a big win against the Washington Huskies.
In private life Chung is the opposite of what you see when he fights for the Ducks.
“Off the field I am probably the goofiest person you will ever meet,” Chung laughed. “I am pulling pranks all the time. Most of the time I am just laughing and making fun of my friends.”
Chung is also a family man and admires his mother Sophia, father Ronald and his four brothers and three sisters. As the second youngest of eight children Chung calls himself ?mama’s boy.’ The whole family supports and inspires him at every stage of his life and career.
“You have to do it for them,” Chung said. “My parents worked hard to make sure I had everything I needed growing up. So every time I am tired and don’t want to continue lifting or practicing or whatever, I remember that my parents were tired too when they were raising me and they had to work anyway. They are really proud of me for that.”
Following last season, Chung turned to his family to help him make a very important decision. He chose to pass up the option to enter the NFL Draft and decided to take advantage of his final year of eligibility to play for the school he loves and the teammates his cherishes.
With six games left in his Oregon career, and only three at his beloved Autzen Stadium, Chung will soon solidify himself as one of the top defensive players in the school’s history.
Many changes and struggles occurred during his five successful years at Oregon. Since the day he walked on the team as a sixteen-year-old freshman until today when his achievements and hard work inspire thousands of fans in lightning yellow.
“Who wouldn’t miss this right here,” Chung explained. “All the fans, all my teammates, all the coaches ? I will come back and visit them all for sure.”
Few people know Chung, born in Jamaica, was a talented and passionate soccer player, who unlike many boys never dreamed of becoming a football star.
“I didn’t get into American football until right before high school,” Chung revealed.
Although soccer and football do not have much in common, his passion and athletic ability shined on both the pitch and the gridiron.
Moving to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., as a youngster enabled Chung to discover football. His dedication to mastering the new sport caught the eye of college recruiters. Only four years later, as a high school senior, Chung recorded more than 70 tackles and was ranked amongst California’s top 90 college prospects.
“I always liked Oregon,” Chung explained. “I committed before I even came to visit Eugene. Then they gave me a chance and a scholarship.”
Chung is a prodigy of the game because of his exceptional work ethic on and off the field. Even when practice ends and many other players rush off the field toward the Casanova Center locker room, he stays out on the practice fields longer to work on his strength and conditioning - as there is always more to improve on.
Now as a 21-year-old senior, Chung is a role model for many of the young players both on the field and in the classroom. He balances two important priorities: football and academics. The team recognized him as a captain before the start of the season and selected him to be the first player this season to wear former teammate Todd Doxey’s No. 29 jersey in a big win against the Washington Huskies.
In private life Chung is the opposite of what you see when he fights for the Ducks.
“Off the field I am probably the goofiest person you will ever meet,” Chung laughed. “I am pulling pranks all the time. Most of the time I am just laughing and making fun of my friends.”
Chung is also a family man and admires his mother Sophia, father Ronald and his four brothers and three sisters. As the second youngest of eight children Chung calls himself ?mama’s boy.’ The whole family supports and inspires him at every stage of his life and career.
“You have to do it for them,” Chung said. “My parents worked hard to make sure I had everything I needed growing up. So every time I am tired and don’t want to continue lifting or practicing or whatever, I remember that my parents were tired too when they were raising me and they had to work anyway. They are really proud of me for that.”
Following last season, Chung turned to his family to help him make a very important decision. He chose to pass up the option to enter the NFL Draft and decided to take advantage of his final year of eligibility to play for the school he loves and the teammates his cherishes.
With six games left in his Oregon career, and only three at his beloved Autzen Stadium, Chung will soon solidify himself as one of the top defensive players in the school’s history.
Many changes and struggles occurred during his five successful years at Oregon. Since the day he walked on the team as a sixteen-year-old freshman until today when his achievements and hard work inspire thousands of fans in lightning yellow.
“Who wouldn’t miss this right here,” Chung explained. “All the fans, all my teammates, all the coaches ? I will come back and visit them all for sure.”
