Fresno State Athletics
Off the Field with Dana McGregor
12/1/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
During Dana McGregor's freshman soccer season at Fresno State the team had reached the semifinals of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. As the clock ticked down to the final five seconds of the match Tulsa spoiled the Bulldogs outright win and tied the match at 1-1 and overtime became the only way to advance. In the final few seconds of overtime Tulsa waited again to score and dashed Fresno State's dream of playing in the championship match. Still further, the 'Dogs first season under head coach Dave Chesler came to an abrupt halt with an 11-7-2 overall record in 1997.
After this tough loss McGregor had lost his love for soccer and the game was no longer fulfilling. Reflecting on what had just transpired, he realized that life can become a story of struggles and he needed a change.
What you don't know is that McGregor had signed up to go to a retreat the weekend after the conference championships. If the Bulldogs had won the match he would never have had the opportunity. The opportunity to become a born again Christian. McGregor decided to change his life. He was now going to start dedicating his path to Christ and utilize God's message in his "new" life.
"God led me to church and I was baptized," McGregor said. "I needed a direction and purpose of what and who I am."
Ever since he was six years old his goal in life was to play professional soccer and play on the U.S. national team. Training every day, McGregor understood that hard work would pay off and that one day his dream would come true. But life has a way of throwing you a curve and sometimes that curve is for the betterment.
Now as a born again Christian he has renewed his love for soccer through his love for Christ. McGregor says, "my love for soccer goes to Christ and in return Christ gave me my love for soccer back. I no longer play for myself instead I now play for Christ."
