Getting to Know... Kevin Diaz
October 01, 2020 | Men's Soccer
The seventh installment of "Getting to Know..." features men's soccer forward Kevin Diaz, who transferred to UCLA this offseason from Cerritos College. The productive striker talks about his experiences winning a state title with Cerritos, overcoming injuries, what his Hispanic heritage means to him, and some of his future plans at UCLA.
Q: As a transfer, you bring in a lot of experience already at the collegiate level. How do you hope to translate that to the Division I level here at UCLA?
A: Like you said, I have some experience already. I think I'll help out the team because I've already played against other collegiate players and understand how quick the game can be at the collegiate level. I think understanding that will be a very important component moving forward.
Q: I know you sat out the 2017 season due to injury. What was that process like and how has that helped you overcome adversity over the years?
A: I was actually in a car accident, and that was my second year I had to sit out. I had a previous injury that was related to my knee. I tore my ACL so that was a bummer, and so having another injury that kept me out for a second season definitely took a toll on me mentally. I think it really developed me as a player mentally and I feel like I got a lot stronger because of it. Translating that into the game, I think I'm a lot more competitive now and I work a lot harder. In that aspect for me mentally, it has definitely helped me overcome adversity over the years.
Q: Can you walk me through what it was like to lead Cerritos to both state and national titles in 2018, especially coming off of the two seasons where you had to sit out?
A: For the 2017 season when I sat out, they went to the semifinals and lost, unfortunately, because they got a red card. I thought they deserved to go on onto the finals. So being able to lead Cerritos to a state and national title the following year was huge, not only for me but also for my teammates that played in that previous season because I feel like they really deserved it that past year. Having led them to the actual title the following year, it was big for all of us all around.
Q: This month is Hispanic Heritage Month. How has your Latinx heritage shaped who you are today?
A: It shaped me into a hard-working, young man. I've always grown up around my father, who grew up in Mexico and had to work since he was 11 years old. He's still working to this day. He was a shoemaker from when he was 11, all the way up until he was 18 or 19. He's taught us that we have to work a lot harder and that while it's unfortunate, it's kind of the way it is. But as long as we work hard at whatever we do, I'll make it and be successful.
Q: What does it mean to you to represent your culture/community here at UCLA as a member of the men's soccer team?
A: I think it's important because there's not many Latinos at UCLA or who attend UCLA, especially student-athletes. I think it's a good step for us as a culture and heritage to be represented at this institution and I definitely take pride in that as a member of the soccer team.
Q: Did you admire a professional athlete growing up? What was it about the athlete that drew you to them growing up?
A: I really liked Xavier Hernandez. He played for Barcelona and is retired now. I just loved the way he distributed the ball and the way he used his brain. I think he was very far ahead of his competition. Other than players, I also really admire my dad because of his hard work, given that he's been working since he was 11. So those two were the main people I looked up to for motivation and leadership growing up and even now.
Q: What was your first exposure to UCLA soccer and when did the program become on your radar?
A: The very first time was when UCLA played UC Santa Barbara in the NCAA Tournament championship match (in 2006). I believe UCSB came out on top, but ever since that game, I kind of fell in love with UCLA. I just loved the way they played and everything. I was in contact with Matt Taylor, the assistant coach. We could communicate a lot and I just loved the way they were leading the team as well as their philosophy and everything. I think the coaching staff, with Ryan Jorden at the top, has just brought a lot to this team and it's definitely something I'm excited to be a part of.
Q: Following the Pac-12's decision in canceling the fall 2020 season, what's your mindset heading into the school year?
A: Honestly, I think it was a good thing, because we now have more time to prepare for the new season. I think a lot of us are on the same page for this. Right now, we're just all putting our heads down and working hard, grinding, trying to get fit for the new season even though it was postponed. The goal, whenever the season resumes, is to hopefully reach the Final Four. Right now, I'm actually at my new apartment in Westwood. It's literally across the street from UCLA, so that's pretty convenient. I got to meet with most of the guys. I think our chemistry is already built pretty high.
Q: How have you been able to train and stay in shape during the quarantine individually, especially given soccer is a team sport?
A: It was honestly kind of hard because I would try to go to local parks and kick around, but many of the parks back where I live in Norwalk were closed. So it was hard looking for parks here and there. I would always try going out for runs and stay technical with the ball and everything.
Q: What are you studying at UCLA and what are your goals post-graduation? Post-soccer?
A: I'm a sociology major currently. My goals after UCLA would obviously be to play soccer professionally. But if that doesn't work out, I honestly find real estate very interesting. If not, if that doesn't work out, I'd like to stay within soccer and maybe work for a professional team. I think working inside the front office, and not just on the field, could be a cool opportunity.
Previous "Getting to Know..." Publications
Obi Eboh -- Football
Carlie Dorostkar -- Cross Country
Sam Feit - Men's Tennis
Sam Baron - Swimming and Diving
Kengo Aoshima - Men's Golf
Aislynn Crowder - Women's Soccer
Q: As a transfer, you bring in a lot of experience already at the collegiate level. How do you hope to translate that to the Division I level here at UCLA?
A: Like you said, I have some experience already. I think I'll help out the team because I've already played against other collegiate players and understand how quick the game can be at the collegiate level. I think understanding that will be a very important component moving forward.
Q: I know you sat out the 2017 season due to injury. What was that process like and how has that helped you overcome adversity over the years?
A: I was actually in a car accident, and that was my second year I had to sit out. I had a previous injury that was related to my knee. I tore my ACL so that was a bummer, and so having another injury that kept me out for a second season definitely took a toll on me mentally. I think it really developed me as a player mentally and I feel like I got a lot stronger because of it. Translating that into the game, I think I'm a lot more competitive now and I work a lot harder. In that aspect for me mentally, it has definitely helped me overcome adversity over the years.
Q: Can you walk me through what it was like to lead Cerritos to both state and national titles in 2018, especially coming off of the two seasons where you had to sit out?
A: For the 2017 season when I sat out, they went to the semifinals and lost, unfortunately, because they got a red card. I thought they deserved to go on onto the finals. So being able to lead Cerritos to a state and national title the following year was huge, not only for me but also for my teammates that played in that previous season because I feel like they really deserved it that past year. Having led them to the actual title the following year, it was big for all of us all around.
Q: This month is Hispanic Heritage Month. How has your Latinx heritage shaped who you are today?
A: It shaped me into a hard-working, young man. I've always grown up around my father, who grew up in Mexico and had to work since he was 11 years old. He's still working to this day. He was a shoemaker from when he was 11, all the way up until he was 18 or 19. He's taught us that we have to work a lot harder and that while it's unfortunate, it's kind of the way it is. But as long as we work hard at whatever we do, I'll make it and be successful.
Q: What does it mean to you to represent your culture/community here at UCLA as a member of the men's soccer team?
A: I think it's important because there's not many Latinos at UCLA or who attend UCLA, especially student-athletes. I think it's a good step for us as a culture and heritage to be represented at this institution and I definitely take pride in that as a member of the soccer team.
Q: Did you admire a professional athlete growing up? What was it about the athlete that drew you to them growing up?
A: I really liked Xavier Hernandez. He played for Barcelona and is retired now. I just loved the way he distributed the ball and the way he used his brain. I think he was very far ahead of his competition. Other than players, I also really admire my dad because of his hard work, given that he's been working since he was 11. So those two were the main people I looked up to for motivation and leadership growing up and even now.
Q: What was your first exposure to UCLA soccer and when did the program become on your radar?
A: The very first time was when UCLA played UC Santa Barbara in the NCAA Tournament championship match (in 2006). I believe UCSB came out on top, but ever since that game, I kind of fell in love with UCLA. I just loved the way they played and everything. I was in contact with Matt Taylor, the assistant coach. We could communicate a lot and I just loved the way they were leading the team as well as their philosophy and everything. I think the coaching staff, with Ryan Jorden at the top, has just brought a lot to this team and it's definitely something I'm excited to be a part of.
Q: Following the Pac-12's decision in canceling the fall 2020 season, what's your mindset heading into the school year?
A: Honestly, I think it was a good thing, because we now have more time to prepare for the new season. I think a lot of us are on the same page for this. Right now, we're just all putting our heads down and working hard, grinding, trying to get fit for the new season even though it was postponed. The goal, whenever the season resumes, is to hopefully reach the Final Four. Right now, I'm actually at my new apartment in Westwood. It's literally across the street from UCLA, so that's pretty convenient. I got to meet with most of the guys. I think our chemistry is already built pretty high.
Q: How have you been able to train and stay in shape during the quarantine individually, especially given soccer is a team sport?
A: It was honestly kind of hard because I would try to go to local parks and kick around, but many of the parks back where I live in Norwalk were closed. So it was hard looking for parks here and there. I would always try going out for runs and stay technical with the ball and everything.
Q: What are you studying at UCLA and what are your goals post-graduation? Post-soccer?
A: I'm a sociology major currently. My goals after UCLA would obviously be to play soccer professionally. But if that doesn't work out, I honestly find real estate very interesting. If not, if that doesn't work out, I'd like to stay within soccer and maybe work for a professional team. I think working inside the front office, and not just on the field, could be a cool opportunity.
| Favorite thing to do outside of soccer? | Play baseball |
| If you could live anywhere, where would it be? | Spain |
| Favorite music artist? | Eminem |
| Favorite movie? | The Longest Yard |
| Favorite TV show? | The Office |
| Go-to post-game food? | Cava |
| Favorite pro team to follow? | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Why UCLA? | Prestigious academics, No. 1 ranked public school |
Previous "Getting to Know..." Publications
Obi Eboh -- Football
Carlie Dorostkar -- Cross Country
Sam Feit - Men's Tennis
Sam Baron - Swimming and Diving
Kengo Aoshima - Men's Golf
Aislynn Crowder - Women's Soccer
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