You can tell a lot about University of Portland (UP) junior and Pilots midfielder Thomas Iwasaki by watching him play soccer. Fraser Morrison, Thomas’s high school coach in Lake Oswego, calls the young man, "a fine advert for what you can achieve if you put your mind to it," adding, "He plays hard, but fair, and demonstrates these fine characteristics off the field as well to comprise a fantastic all-around person." Bill Irwin, his coach at UP describes Thomas as "very hardworking, honest, and talented, both on and off the field. He brings with him the same intensity and outlook to every practice and every game."

Thomas started playing soccer when he was in kindergarten. His determination and effort over the years with local soccer clubs allowed him an opportunity to become a Pilot.

A business major, Thomas is one of UP’s 20 Entrepreneur Scholars, a competitively selected group of undergraduate students from all majors across the campus who create new business ventures and social enterprises, and also implement innovative products and delivery models for these organizations, according to Peter Rachor, director of the school’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

"Thomas brings a strong discipline and focus to his involvement with the program, which melds together his many talents and skills with the development of an entrepreneurial mindset to help him make ideas happen in business, the community, and his own life," Rachor said.

Jeff Iwasaki characterizes his son as "disciplined and hardworking," and adds that Thomas is "friendly, open, and honest" and "easy to like and respect. I’m so proud of who he is, and often wonder where he got his fine qualities. Other people assure me he got them from his mother."

Donna Iwasaki notes that her son "has a way of using the challenges that come up in his life to become better at things, seldom balking or turning away from them. He’s creative and sometimes compulsive, a good brother and a loyal friend."

Molly Iwasaki admires her brother as an athlete who "practiced his skills independently every day" in high school, "not because he felt obligated to, but because he loved to. The same perfectionist tendencies that drive him to do well in the classroom have pushed him to have great soccer skills."

"He’s the nicest guy I know," says Alex Gatewood, Thomas’s roommate, teammate, and friend. "Sometimes you can catch him singing an off-key version of his favorite song in his room, if you’re lucky, but other than that there’s no way to get around how much time he dedicates to bettering himself."

"He works hard in everything, which rubs off on the people around him," Gatewood said. "I’ve probably made it through college this far solely on the fact that watching Tom get things done makes me feel guilty to the point where I have to finish my own work."

It’s the team aspect of soccer that Thomas likes best about the sport he excels in. "My teammates are my friends," Thomas points out, "so I am surrounded by friends, competing together."

Asked how he spends a typical day, Thomas admits he’s busy. "I go to class in the morning, then straight to practice. After that there’s a little time to unwind, then I start homework." He pauses for a moment, smiles. "It’s all worth it," he sums up, then adds, "Naps are awesome."

Thomas describes himself as a very goal-driven person who really pursues an idea until completion once it’s in his head, but he also allows that he can be "kind of goofy." Most of all, he sees himself as a member of a community. "I truly couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without the support of those around me. That support has come especially from my family, friends, coaches, and professors at UP. I am really lucky to be surrounded by such good people, and I am very thankful for all of them."

The UP men’s soccer team finishes the regular season on the road November 7 against Gonzaga and November 11 versus the University of San Francisco. To follow Thomas and his teammates as they take on the Bulldogs and the Dons, visit <www.portlandpilots.com>.