James Rogers

Classroom

James has posted a 3.43 GPA while majoring in political science. He has earned Capital One Academic All-District Team honors as both a sophomore (2012) and a junior (2013). Also in 2013 James earned NSCAA Scholar All-Region honors as he helped UNM post the highest team GPA in Conference USA. Additionally, the Lobos earned the Team Academic Award from the NSCAA in 2013, the highest academic team honor possible, after posting a program-record 3.43 team GPA. In high school he was honored as an Academic All-State performer at Poudre HS in Fort Collins, Colo.

Character

James is a private individual who leads by example. In addition to being a team leader in terms of community service, he leads by example in the way he acts and lives both on and off the pitch. Part of the reason he is so devoted to helping refugees and immigrants is because he is one himself. James was born in Sierra Leone during that country’s civil war in the early 90s. At the age of six and with the help of his aunt he was able to escape the killings going on there and move to America. After first settling in Utah, he eventually ended up in Colorado where he was heavily recruited by soccer powerhouses from around the nation. Now, James is a leader on a Top 5 level program that has been to three straight Sweet Sixteens and the College Cup last season.

Community

James is the most active member in the community on the entire UNM roster. He devotes more time and energy to charitable causes than any of his teammates, but he doesn’t consider most of what he does community service. He does it because it’s the right thing to do. He devotes most of his time to Habitat for Humanity and Catholic Charities, which works primarily with poor women and children, foreign workers, immigrants and refugees, the disabled, or those who suffer from HIV, AIDS or some other life-threatening condition. A truly selfless person, James also spends a lot of time working with refugees, but that is one of the things he doesn’t consider to be a big deal. It’s what he feels is right and therefore is compelled to do it. Last season he worked with the American Youth Soccer Organization along with several teammates, and he also worked closely with a local elementary school, particularly during its health night. He is truly a leader on the team because while he was out of town this past summer, he emailed teammates, coaches and staff members and encouraged them to volunteer at World Refugee Day at the Cesar Chavez Community Center in Albuquerque.

Competition

Barring injury James will continue to climb UNM’s Top 10 in career goals, assists, points, shots and appearances. In three-plus years at UNM he has 20 goals (10th all-time), nine game-winning goals, 16 assists (two shy of eighth place), 56 points (11th all-time) and 152 shots (ninth all-time) in 69 games. This season he has helped lead the Lobos to a 5-2-1 record through September as UNM has consistently been ranked nationally in the top 10, and as high as No. 4 by the NSCAA. As a junior in 2013 he helped the Lobos to their second College Cup appearance in nine seasons by scoring a team-high seven goals and adding a career-high six assists to also lead the team and to finish with 20 points and an All-Conference USA third team honor. He was credited with four game-winning goals, including the lone goal in UNM’s win over George Mason in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and assisted on four other game-winners. He also scored a pair of goals as part of a 7-2 win over Villanova on Aug. 30. As a sophomore he earned All-MPSF honorable mention after scoring eight goals and adding five assists in 18 matches. In 2011 he recorded the second most assists a freshman at UNM has ever had (five) and added three goals, including two game-winners. During his time at UNM he has helped the Lobos become one of just three programs in the nation to not only receive at top 16 ranking in three straight NCAA Tournaments, but also to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in each of the last three seasons.?