With fall sports wrapping up at WSU, senior athletes are closing one chapter and opening another. For players who are so close to graduation, the end of the season will mark more than the conclusion of competition. This time is also a celebration of growth, mentorship and lasting impact.
Seniors final season
As fall sports come to an end, many graduating athletes are reaching the final chapter of their college careers. For seniors, this is a moment to be appreciated, as it could be their last time competing in their sport and their final opportunity to represent WSU.
For many athletes, the hardest part is not just leaving the sport but also saying goodbye to the teammates and coaches who have been with them through every step of the journey.
For players like Kaylee Pham, a center back for WSU's women’s soccer team, this season marks the end of an important chapter. She reflects on her experience with the team and what it’s meant to her as a senior.
“We’re a gritty team and we're always going to stick up for each other, so I think Wright State symbolizes family and teammates that are always going to give everything for each other even if were not necessarily like the biggest or strongest team we’re always going to fight,” Pham said.
Players realize that that their sport is not just about winning, but the connections and growth they share over the years define the team just as much as the result of any game.
After the seniors graduate
WSU women’s soccer will graduate 11 players this year, while the men’s team will see seven seniors move on. With so many departures, a question arises how this will impact the teams moving forward.
WSU women’s soccer head coach, Travis Sobers, discussed the impact of losing multiple seniors and how the team plans to rebuild.
“It starts with recruiting well, making sure that we're bringing in not just the best players [but those] that fit what we want to be as a program. Sometimes it’s not really about replacing because some of these kids I don’t think we can replace,” Sobers said.
Coaches feel the impact of losing seniors just as much as the players do. Rebuilding a team after their departure can be challenging, especially when those athletes have been part of the program for years.
Coach Sobers mentions the learning experience from this year’s group of seniors.
“It’s okay to have fun and be yourself through everything and sometimes the ups and downs- you got to find the heart in it and the fun in it while you do it because ultimately it’s about the group and the experience more so than the wins and losses,” Sobers said.
It’s not just a challenge for coaches — for many seniors, the hardest part is leaving a sport they’ve played their entire lives, knowing they may never play it again.
“For many former student-athletes, the challenge is not only learning how to stay fit in a new lifestyle but also coping with a new sense of loss. Some level of anxiety, sadness or insecurity may be hard to avoid as they shed the athlete label — something they have worn proudly over years of dedication to their sport,” NCAA states.
As the season wraps up, the lessons and leadership from this senior class will continue to shape WSU soccer. Their impact goes beyond the record books, leaving behind a foundation for the next group of players to build on.
Seniors impact on and off the field
These players do more than just influence the teams they play for; they also leave a lasting impact on their teammates. Seniors often serve as role models for younger student-athletes, showing the importance of leadership and balancing academics with athletics. Many hope to pass on their knowledge and experience, guiding the next generation both on and off the field.
Coach Sobers talks about these seniors’ leadership roles.
“It’s about setting an example, in regard to how we compete, how we practice, the way that we play and coming out every day trying to be the best version of yourselves. I think the seniors have done a really good job of that and we’ve set the tone and that standard for the group to follow,” Sobers said.
Beyond her play on the field, Pham reflects on what it means to guide her teammates as a senior leader.
“I have grown into a leadership role because being an upperclassman obviously you’re looked up to a lot on the team and we don’t have captains on our team, we're more of a leadership council-based team, so we look up to a lot of leadership in our upperclassman," Pham said.
The impact these athletes have and the relationships they build over the years show that they play far more than just a role on the field— they contribute to the broader college experience, shaping team culture, inspiring younger players and leaving a lasting legacy that goes beyond wins and losses.
